Retraining America Now

Mind Chi - Book Launch - March 6th 2010

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:56:00 +0000

New Mind Chi Book Helps Re-Wire the Brain in Just 8 Minutes a Day

Achieve Personal and Professional Goals Almost Effortlessly

MIAMI, FL March 5, 2010 - If you want to think better and sharper, feel more confident and experience a sense of well-being in every aspect of your personal and business life, then you’ll want to read the new book Mind Chi (Wiley, 2010). ISBN - 978-1-906465-58-2

The intriguing new practice described in this just-released book was inspired by T’ai chi ch’uan, a Chinese martial art employed since ancient times for health and well-being. Mind chi is a modern interpretation of T’ai chi created by the book’s co-authors, which emphasizes mental exercises. It synthesizes positive psychology, mental wellness and eudemonics (the study of happiness) into one easy-to follow guide.

“If you’re willing to spend just eight minutes a day doing super simple brain exercises, your life can change completely,” said Richard Israel, co-author of Mind Chi.

“The eight steps of Mind chi are grounded in established theories of memory, mind and motivational development and neuroscience,” added Vanda North, the book’s other co-author. “Our techniques are designed to improve your control, willpower and focus with the end goal of enhancing success both in your personal and business life.”

The Mind chi process encourages you to ask: What is right about me, and how can I have more of it? How can I learn to direct my will to produce the outcomes I desire? Practiced for just 28 days, this new way of thinking transforms into a life-enhancing habit.

Each of the eight steps takes just one minute and can be employed throughout the day whenever convenient.

One example, designed to improve focus, concentration and clarity of thought, is called “One.” In One, you set a timer and silently repeat the word “one” until an intruding thought occurs. At that point say “two” over and over until another thought intrudes, at which point you say “three,” and so on. At the end of one minute note the number you reached. The goal is to be able to stay on “one” for 60 seconds with no other thoughts intruding.

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To learn more about Mind Chi go to www.mindchi.com.

To order the book at $17.24 (usual price $23.95 go to http://astore.amazon.com/retramernow-20

Contact Gwen Carden - Gwen at Cardencreative.com (772)220-1230 to arrange author interviews or receive a review copy.

Mind Chi & J. Wiley (publisher) are sponsors of the USA Memory Championships 2010.

About the authors:

Richard Israel is a consultant, international speaker, trainer and co-author with Tony Buzan of the bestselling Brain$ell. He has lectured to over 100,000 people worldwide on business and sales techniques. He is also an affiliate of Retraining America Now, LLC www.retrainingamericanow.com

Vanda North was president of the International Society for Accelerated Learning and Teaching and founded the Buzan Centres worldwide. She has authored several books and is a sought-after consultant by business, commercial and government organizations worldwide.

What they are saying about Mind Chi the book

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:55:00 +0000

Michael Gelb, pioneer in creative thinking and accelerated learning, professional juggler who created the Juggling Metaphor Method, author, More Balls Than Hands: Juggling Your Way to Success; Thinking for a Change: Discovering the Power to Create; Samurai Chess: Mastering Strategic Thinking Through the Martial Art of the Mind; How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius and Da Vinci Uncoded

“Leonardo had it, Edison had it, and now you can have it too. ‘It’ is ‘Mind Chi’. This powerful book will show you how to cultivate, integrate and apply your mental energy for breakthrough performance in all walks of life.”

Mind Chi - Available to pre-order at significant discount from www.retrainingamericanow/themagicalmasterystore available Dec/Jan UK and Late February USA

The Rise of Women In Business

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:01:00 +0000

One of the Interesting trends in the Workplace is the role of women in leadership and that the employment of women is rising faster than men. - Clive Digby-Jones. President, Retraining America Now, LLC

Trend - There will be an 8% increase of women in the US workforce, over 10 years, compared to 5% men. Women will rule business. The female management style creates more profit. A study of 353 FORTUNE 500 companies found that those with more women in senior management had a higher return on equities by more than a 3rd. They manage more cautiously, focus on the long term, are consensus builders, and employ a transformational leadership style– Shipman & Kay, ‘Womenomics’, published June 12 2009.

My friend Gina, sent this email and it goes some way to exploring the dynamic drive that is occurring.

Global Women's Enterprise Day today

Meeting some of the most amazing & enterprising women - in California!

Greetings my dear friends, from San Francisco .....

I am having the most incredible experience. I've been on the road 2 months now in West Coast USA. It's hard to explain why I am here. If you have received missives from me over the last 3+ years you will know that I have talked about being in transition - as many of you are I am sure. It's been incredibly difficult to write about and communicate with others because this is mainly an internal process of becoming - becoming WHAT I am not sure, but I am in a place of huge faith and trust. I am going where the flow is taking me.

This morning I watched a DVD of a presentation from the Institute of Noetic Sciences (based here) and they talked about being between two stories and that really describes where I am. I have totally left behind the OLD STORY: I have no business card, no specific role and that's OK. My ego sometimes cries out and I have to reassure myself that beneath the physical, beneath what I can see, know and understand, is a new story being written. But I do feel I am almost there ..... I know my adventures which are flowing so synchronistically are taking me to where and what I need to be. I meet so many others in the same space too...... it seems to be an epidemic!

Although I have found it hard to write I could not let Global Women's Enterprise Day go unmarked. Three of my five passions: GLOBAL (world citizenship & the earth), ENTERPRISE and WOMEN, all in one day (November 18th), so I had to write. We are only missing HOME & HEALTH from that list, but more of that later ....

If you are interested read on and I will pull together a quick list of some of where I have been and who I have met:

• The rise of the feminine: everywhere I have been in California I have connected with women's groups, taken part in conference calls (Women from the Edge of Evolution), and heard of/attended many women's events: eg 2 weeks ago, Maria Shriver, first lady of California hosted the Women's Conference in LA which was sold out at 13,000 participants!

• The Women's Foundation of California, (WFC) celebrated a milestone with their 30th anniversary lunch which I attended - a prestigious event with 400+ women. 30 years ago a group of women met round a kitchen table ....... see my blog for more

• While there I met actress Geena Davis, honoured at the WFC lunch as a Pioneer (see photo above should it need a caption). Never mind her ground-breaking movies Thelma & Louise (video clip) and In a League of Their Own which she said had women and girls coming up to her in the street to thank her for changing their lives. After that she knew she had to engage in some form of activism. She founded an institute on Gender in Media to reduce stereotyping of women and to get more female roles (the ratio of male to female characters is 3:1) [more on the blog]

• This somehow led me to connect with Women's Funding Network (WFN), which is one of the largest collaborative philanthropic networks in the world with more than 150 organizations that fund women's solutions across the globe. It started as an initiative of the Women's Foundation of California and its members are private and public women's foundations. Collectively, their members invest $60 million annually in women and girls worldwide, and they have raised and given away over $1 billion. (I know, it's jaw-dropping isn't it?!)

• Staying in Novato, Marin County I found I was just yards and a few days away from the annual Bioneers Conference in their 20th year so I attended [see my travel blog]. Three days with my tribe! I was so blown away; incredible speakers included Annie Leonard on her Story of Stuff (see my previous March blog) and integrated health pioneer Dr Andrew Weil. Jim Garrison from the State of the World Forum talked about Brasil 2020: Brasil is the only country in the world to agree to climate change initiatives that reduce carbon levels by 2020 and not 2050 like everyone else. (That is what is being discussed in Copenhagen in December this year Visit the website countdown.)

• Bioneers also introduced me to the work of Jensine Larsen, who at age 28 founded World Pulse magazine with an online presence that provides a voice for rural women all over the world. She pointed out that there are 3 unstoppable trends: the rise of women's leadership (over 50% of the government's cabinet in Rwanda are women); there is a communications revolution which means women in remote rural villages now have access to the world; empowering & educating women & girls is the fastest way to develop a country.

• In the Wall Street Journal, Hillary Clinton referred to world business and political leaders now saying that investing in women and girls is integral to a global economic recovery. She said: "We've seen again and again that women are entrepreneurial, accountable and practical. They invest earnings directly in family and communities and pay back loans at a higher rate than the norm. Women are a good investment".

• On a conference call with Dr Jean Houston I heard that women are now OVER 50% of the workforce in the USA: they will however, only earn 38% of what men take home in a lifetime. I made notes on Jean's pearls of wisdom with my newest toy, a Livescribe pen that records words as well as filming what it is writing and then uploads it to your computer. See my blog to read about it and to see & hear Jean's notes. (it's awesome!) She talked of women now having the initiative to take the tiller of the world and leading us all towards the new world that is emerging .... women are now recognising their strengths and stepping forward in many arenas, it's an urge felt by millions of women around the globe. It's not a movement to take over from men but to partner them more fully.

• talking about partnership, I've just studied in Seattle at the Partnership Studies Centre to be a presenter & facilitator of Caring Economics based on the work of Dr Riane Eisler and her book "The Real Wealth of Nations". Watch video. I will be writing a lot more about this brilliant material and incorporating it into my Wisdom Retreats. Riane proposes that the real wealth of nations is NOT financial: it is made up of the contributions of nature and people, energies and acts of caring that are seemingly invisible and uncounted but which underpin our whole economy and without which the world could not function.

• and finally, the Pachamama Alliance, co-founded by my favourite author & activist Lynne Twist who I met again at a Green Conference here (see my video interview with her for International Women's Day last March) .... they are holding their huge annual presentation tomorrow Thursday 19th at noon PST time (YES, I am going). It will be beamed live around the world so do join in (Facebook invite).
My goodness that's enough ... you see, once I get started I could write a book!! Which is what I'll do in the new year. In the meantime, enjoy Global Women's Enterprise Day. Keep this letter and go through the resource links when you have time. I'm hosting a circle gathering of fabulous women in San Francisco tonight and will let you know what comes from our discussions.

love & light

Gina Lazenby - keep up to date with me on twitter

Connect with me on Facebook.

PS ONE LAST THING: After years of hard work I am finally getting that I might just be able to do more by having FUN. It's an enjoyable experiment.

PPS AND ONE FINAL THING: do check out my blog woman-at-large

ginalazenby@mac.com
UK cell + 44 7802 33 11 12
USA cell +1 415 670 0384

Final word from Clive.....As I look at our website, three mature guys, starting a business, I could ask where are the ladies?! Good news, we are in discussion to add our next two affiliates/partners and they happen to be women. We aim to have 50 partners/affiliates within three years. We are also seeking candidates in the HR, Training, Corporate and Personal Development and Health arenas for the Mind Chi Mentor Program - sales skills an asset. Clive DJ See Retraining America Now's website.

What they are saying about Mind Chi the book

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Dr. Stephen Lundin Ph.D. is a writer, entrepreneur and filmmaker with a rich history as a graduate level business school professor and dean. Steve has written a number of books including the multimillion copy best selling FISH! and the simply bestselling FISH! Tales, FISH! Sticks and FISH! for Life. What Steve says about Mind Chi, the book:

"When I read Mind Chi I said to myself, 'It's about time.' Mind Chi takes contemporary knowledge of the brain, the best thinking from Psychology and the wisdom of the ages and packages these three in a format that allows access to their power. An eight minute daily dose of Mind Chi may not cure warts but it will certainly improve vitality, reduce stress and allow us to see the many blessings of life more clearly.”

To pre-order the book, go to The Magical Mastery Store

To find out more about the Book and the opportunity to become a Mind Chi Mentor go to www.retrainingamericanow.com

TOP UK CONSULTANT TO ADVISE ON MENTORS

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Derek Wilson one of England's prominent industrialists and consultants has agreed to advise Mind Chi UK on the structure and recruiting of the UK Mentors program. With a goal of 100 mentors for the United Kingdom in 2010, most of whom will be working with implementing MC into British corporations, Derek's advice will prove invaluable.

Contact Retraining America Now for details of how to become a Mind Chi Mentor in the USA and to pre-order the Book 'Mind Chi - rewire your brain in 8 minutes a day and 50 strategies to achieve success in Business and life' due to be published in February

Management Rewired - Why Feedback Doesn't Work

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0000

From Publishers Weekly

Management Rewired: Why Feedback Doesn't Work and Other Surprising Lessons from the Latest Brain Science (Hardcover)

Jacobs, founder of the Amherst Consulting Group and managing partner of One Eighty Partners, debunks management myths in this provocative, counter-intuitive volume, demonstrating how relying on emotions—rather than logic—leads to better business decisions. Jacobs draws on the latest research showing that positive and negative reinforcement don't improve performance, quantifiable objectives cause workers to fixate on the short term and sacrifice long-term focus and certain common management practices produce the opposite of the intended effect. He examines the limitations of current organizational strategy in light of brain science, using layman's language to map out how the brain interprets experience and responds to feedback, reward and punishment. He asserts that organizations that are able to apply brain science to their businesses will have a decided advantage over the competition, and he shows how his findings can enhance performance at every level of a company. Well argued and substantiated, this book turns prevalent management theory on its head and will have lasting impact on how it is taught in business schools and implemented in organizations. (May 2009)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Available from Retraining America Now's Magical Mastery Store. www.retrainingamericanow.com

Groovy News - 'The Genius Groove' published

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:48:00 +0000

I am happy to announce the launch of my new book, The Genius Groove: The New Science of Creativity. It is finally here. Check out the website for exclusive extracts from the book and where to buy it, videos with top entrepreneurs, and details of launch events starting with The London College of Spirituality on 30th October and Chester on 4th November. See you there. It is time to get Groovy! Manjir Samanta-Laughton http://www.thegeniusgroove.com/

The Genius Groove: The New Science of Creativity The Genius Groove charts the revolution from outdated ideas that only people with high IQs and good genes can be called a genius, to the exciting new worlds of quantum physics, the New Biology and the Black Hole Principle, revealing the scientific basis of the genius within us all and how to tap into your infinite creative source. The author, Dr Manjir Samanta-Laughton, an ex-medical GP, found her Genius Groove after a series of extraordinary events. Follow her amazing story and learn some fascinating principles along the way. *Why is it that many people are not in their creative flow? *What is the new scientific definition of genius and how do you get into your Genius Groove? *How to become your authentic self and experience New Paradigm Living. *Explore your true multidimensional nature in an infinitely creative cosmos. *How these principles can transform organizations and the way in which we work. YOUR LIFE JUST GOT GROOVY!

Available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Retraining America Now also has the book available through its Magical Mastery Store at www.retrainingamericanow.com

Swine Flu worries - Mind Chi Combats Stress

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Mind Chi well placed to combat stress and meet the needs of companies which have more than doubled healthcare spending:

Mind Chi, the process that helps you rewire your brain in less than 8 minutes a day, specifically targets the brains power to regulate and direct the body, emotions, actions and thought (BEAT). Early adopters report dramatic changes in their stress levels and their ability to function efficiently at work and achieve work-life balance. As this report from the UK shows, The Swine Flu pandemic has increased concerns about health and well being and Mind Chi are seeking Trainers, HR professionals and Coaches interested in becoming Mind Chi Mentors to teach the basic Mind Chi process and the 50 strategies for success in Business and Life. Go to www.mindchi.com for more information and to pre-order your copy of the book.

Clive Digby-Jones
President
Retraining America Now, LLC

www.retrainingamericanow.com

99 Mind Mapping Resources, Tools and Tips

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:26:00 +0000

http://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-life/99-mind-mapping

Published on Monday August 20th , 2007

So, there you are staring at that black sheet of paper again. Or perhaps it's a black Word document on your computer screen. Whichever it may be, it's obvious you're about to take notes for that big essay assignment or group project, and you're not too excited about getting started!

That's where a different kind of note taking comes in to play, one that is actually fun to do and will also help you to understand your notes better. It's a technique called mind mapping, and is based around a strong visual method of taking notes. Whether your using colorful markers and paper or using state-of-the-art computer software, you'll find using mind maps are a much more interesting way to take notes than you ever have in the past!

Learn how we help people manage information overload and teach advanced learning skills, including Mapping, see our website www.retrainingamericanow.com

Blind Learn to Mind Chi

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Blind Learn to Mind Chi

"When will it be available in braille?" was the question posed to Richard Israel when he presented Mind Chi to the Miami Chapter of The National Federation of the Blind on October 15th at their monthly meeting. An appreciative audience took to the Mind Chi activities as a duck to water. Why? Simply because the Mind Chi, activities being mental do not require the sense of sight in order to do them. In the picture, Richard talks to Sandy and guide dog, Biscuit

Mind Chi - Rewire your Brain in 8 minutes a day, 50 Strategies for Business & Life, Become a Mind Chi Mentor, Eliminate Stress, and more... The book is available now on pre-order - go

to the 'Magical Mastery Store' on our website. Clive Digby-Jones

www.retrainingamericanow.com.

If you are interested in becoming a Mind Chi Mentor, go to www.mindchi.com.

Mind Chi Mentor Profiles - Welcome RICHARD HERTAN

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:43:00 +0000

Richard L. Hertan has been responsible for extensive and varied assignments in domestic and international executive search, management consulting, and merger and acquisition projects. Concurrently an executive career coach certified bythe prestigious Franklin Covey Company, he continues to guide and assist professionals and organizations to increase their performance and effectiveness in leadership and productivity. He was highlighted for his recruiting expertise as one of the top retained search consultants in the executive search field in James Siebald’s book, “The Career Makers”. Rick is a graduate of Jacksonville University, and serves on the Auxiliary Board of Directors of Imperial Point Hospital. He is VP of Coaching & Development for Retraining America Now, LLC; A Partner in EPIC Executive Coaching and President, Executive Manning Corporation, CFCC.

Mind Chi Mentor Profiles - Welcome CLIVE DIGBY-JONES

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:38:00 +0000

Clive Digby-Jones as a top Leadership Coach, NLP trained, is also a consultant,author, and mediator. President of Retraining America Now LLC, he has over 30years of US/European experience leading, facilitating and mentoring companies,Boards and individuals. He has helped them increase market share, launch technical innovations, achieve brand supremacy and enhance their performance. As a Consultant in Innovation, Digby-Jones studied WaltDisney and designed trainings in the management of creativity for Disney Institute and other companies. He also teaches ‘Authentic Excellence’ and speaks and writes on the subject of ‘RAPSI tm’ a leading edge psychological model

Become a Mind Chi Mentor

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:34:00 +0000

If you are a teacher, trainer, coach or searching for a new career, then becoming a Mind Chi Mentor offers a unique business opportunity. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor of what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For more details visit our website www.mindchi.com. Richard will be visiting the following cities to talk to interested parties: Frankfurt - October 19^th; Cape Town - October 22^nd & 23^rd; Toronto - November 7^th; Johannesburg - February 27^th2010; Shanghai - March 4^th & 5^th, 2010.

RichardChi

http://retrainingamericanow.blogspot.com

NYT Article - Fed Stimulus Funds Distribution Skewed

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

o Yahoo! Buzz

o Permalink

Businesses with federal stimulus contracts have created few jobs in states with the worst unemployment rates, according to data released Thursday by the federal government.

By MICHAEL COOPER and RON NIXON

Published: October 15, 2009 New York Times

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Multimedia

Jobs From Federal Stimulus Contracts

Related

Times Topics: Economic Stimulus

The new jobs reported Thursday come from a small slice of a sliver of the $787 billion stimulus program: the roughly $16 billion worth of stimulus contracts that were awarded directly by federal agencies, of which about $2.2 billion has been spent so far. But the preliminary data represented the first time that the federal government has reported actual job figures, and not just job estimates, and they provided the most complete snapshot yet of how one component of the sprawling program — direct federal contracts — was shaping up.

One thing was clear: while the federal contracts have created or saved 30,383 jobs, they were not directed to states with the highest jobless rates. Businesses in Michigan, whose 15.2 percent unemployment rate in August was the highest in the nation, reported creating or saving about 400 jobs. Businesses in Nevada, which had the next highest unemployment rate, reported 159. And businesses in Rhode Island, which had the third-highest unemployment rate, 12.8 percent, reported the fewest jobs: just six.

More jobs, by contrast, were reported in some of the states with lowest unemployment rates. Businesses in North Dakota, whose 4.3 percent unemployment rate was the lowest in the nation, reported creating or saving 219. The most jobs were reported in Colorado, whose 7.3 percent unemployment rate was below the national average that reached 9.8 percent last month, and where businesses reported creating or saving 4,695 jobs.

In many cases federal agencies could not steer their contracts to high-unemployment areas: the stimulus act gave the agencies money for existing federal programs and priorities. So the roughly $6 billion that the Department of Energy was given to clean up nuclear sites, for example, which was the biggest source of federal contracts, must be spent where the nuclear waste is.

The data yielded some interesting political tidbits. While no Republicans in the House voted for the stimulus bill, the five Congressional districts that appeared to be getting the most money in federal stimulus contracts so far are all represented by Republicans. And though Democrats control the House, it appeared that more money was being spent for work in districts held by Republicans.

The new jobs figures by themselves did not shed much light on the question of how well the stimulus program was accomplishing President Obama’s goal of saving or creating 3.5 million jobs over two years. The administration estimates that the program has already created or saved one million jobs — a figure that includes jobs from money that went through states, which will not be reported until the end of the month; layoffs that were averted when the stimulus gave fiscal relief to states; and jobs that were created or saved when people spent their tax cuts or other aid. But with the unemployment rate at 9.8 percent, Republicans are asserting that the program is failing to create enough jobs.

The data posted Thursday on the stimulus Web site, recovery.gov, was preliminary; recipients can still change errors, and government officials said that based on past experience there were likely to be many. But the Web site is part of a pledge by the Obama administration and Congress to make the stimulus spending transparent. It has a map allowing people to see how many contracts were awarded in their states, their Congressional districts, or even in their ZIP codes, and how many jobs the recipients of those contracts are claiming.

White House officials were sensitive to the gulf between the 30,383 jobs in the report and the goal of creating or saving 3.5 million jobs. Jared Bernstein, the chief economist for Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who oversees the stimulus, issued a statement saying that the jobs figure exceeded their expectations but cautioning that “it is too soon to draw any global conclusions from this partial and preliminary data.”

Passion for the Planet - Radio/TV & More

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Passion for the Planet - If your are interested in personal development, health and the environment and want to listen to great World Music and positive news... go to www.passionfortheplanet.com.

Some years back, when our friends Chantal & Kenny launched their bid for a Digital Radio station for London based on positive news and world music, Digital Radio was only an idea with two makes of digital radio on sale in the UK. Eileen and I invested to help launch the station. None of us expect a financial return but boy has this been a rewarding and uplifting venture. Winning many awards, Passion now has a club on Ecademy and the USA could learn from their success. Podcasts are available. Clive Digby-Jones

www.retrainingamericanow.com

iMindMap October 09 Newsletter: V4.1 Update + Free Presentation Pack

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:57:00 +0000

For those of you who are interested in Mind Mapping information - Here is the latest Newsletter from Tony Buzan's organization and news of version 4.1

October 2009

This month's issue of our newsletter is packed with information on our latest launch, iMindMap V4.1, advice on creating perfect presentations with a FREE pack to get you started, and save 10% with our exclusive early bird discount for our upcoming training courses...and with lots of other news bites, all you need to do is sit back, take a break and read on.

Version 4.1 is Nearly Here

FREE for all V4 users, learn how you can get your upgrade to iMindMap V4.1.

Become Buzan Accredited

Effectively teach others how and when to use iMindMap.

Perfect Presentations

Pack a punch with our FREE Presentation Pack.

FREE VIDEO: Paper or the PC?

Choose the right tool at the right time to Mind Map effectively.

Improve Your Memory

Become a World Memory Champion with our FREE article.

Message from Chris Griffiths, CEO

I hope you enjoy reading this month's newsletter as much as we have enjoyed working on all the exciting developments here at Buzan Online. We're delighted to be able to offer all of our Version 4 users a free upgrade to V4.1 upon its release. The software is packed full of new features and enhancements based on valuable feedback from you, our readers and users.
Over the last year our training courses have received positive praise and feedback, so much so that 100% of course attendees Strongly Agreed that the concepts and skills presented were helpful for their job/business; the course was good value for money and there was a good use of practical illustrations. To learn in detail about Buzan's iMindMap and its features, and to be able to effectively and successfully train others in these areas, I would recommend our next training courses to be held in Cardiff next month. Which if you book now and pay for your place before 26th October you will receive 10% off!
For all of you out there who are eagerly awaiting iMindMap for iPhone, we have good news! It's due for release very soon - we'll keep you posted...
Many Thanks

Chris Griffiths
CEO In other news

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Fascinating facts about your amazing brain.
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Latest Brain Research - IBM's Blue Brain

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

The Blue Brain Project is the first comprehensive attempt to reverse-engineer the mammalian brain, in order to understand brain function and dysfunction through detailed simulations.

Computer simulations in neuroscience hold the promise of dramatically enhancing the scientific method by providing a means to test hypotheses using predictive models of complex biological processes where experiments are not feasible. Of course, simulations are only as good as the quality of the data and the accuracy of the mathematical abstraction of the biological processes. The first phase of the Blue Brain Project therefore started after 15 years of systematically dissecting the microanatomical, genetic and electrical properties of the elementary unit o f the neocortex – a single neocortical column, which is a little larger than the head of a pin. From the data gathered from 15,000 experiments in rat somatosensory cortex, it became possible to begin constructing a model of this part of the brain.

The project has focused, however, not only on building a model of the neocortical column, but on developing a generic facility that could allow rapid modeling, simulation and experimentation of any brain region, if the data can be measured and provided according to specifications. The facility has been used to build the first model of the neocortical column, which consists of 10,000 3D digitizations of real neurons that are populated with model ion channels constrained by the genetic makeup of over 200 different types of neurons. A parallel supercomputer is used to build the model and perform the experiments so that the behavior of the tissue can be predicted through simulations.

With the present simulation facility, the technical feasibility to model a piece of neural tissue has been demonstrated. The next steps will involve expansion of the project in two directions. First, the Blue Brain team is intensifying its efforts to extend the facility t o support modeling of the subcellular domain, which will integrate additional levels of biological detail into the existing neocortical column model. Incorporating the molecular level structures, processes and effects is an important step towards pharmacological and medical research 0in silico”. Second, the facility will be extended to integrate details of larger portions of cortex and other brain structures. Ultimately, given additional resources, the facility can be extended to permit whole brain modeling, simulation and experimentation.

More detailed information and a glimpse into the future of the Blue Brain Project.

Blue Brain Video archive: http://ditwww.epfl.ch/cgi-perl/EPFLTV/home.pl?page=channel_one&lang=2&connected=0&channel_id=29

If you're interested in the Brain, check out PersonalBrain a way of mapping your thoughts and a different take on mind mapping.

http://www.thebrain.com/

People Buy Passion By Sunil Bali

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:24:00 +0000

'People Buy Passion'

The Success Psychotherapist

To build the life you want,
create the work you love.
Marsha Sinetar

There is one thing in the world that you're definitely the best at. Not one person on the planet is better at this than you.

You're the very best at being yourself.

In a society where most things are in over-supply, the one thing that's extremely scarce is you.

In business, people are ultimately buying your passion for the product or service that you have to offer. That's why it's so much easier to sell something that you wholeheartedly believe in. Put yourself in everything that you do and in so doing you personalise your output - people will buy in to your uniqueness.

More than anything else, it's your passions that empower you to create and live the life of your dreams. The fire of creative passion burns brightly in every child, but as we get older many people find that they have forgotten to feed the fire and the flame has dimmed. What you need to do is stoke up that flame again and get the passion burning brightly. You fuel your passion by paying attention to what makes you feel alive and energised, to what interests and excites you.

Passion is more important than knowledge and effort. Only those who keep the fire of passion burning brightly have a chance of knowing what a truly wonderful thing it is to be alive. If you're going to live your passion, you must believe that something inside of you is stronger than any outside circumstance.

Authentic people are like magnets and attract the people that they need. We crave authenticity. It's why so many people are hooked on reality TV. Whether they are house-mates or castaways, people being filmed 24 hours a day can't pretend forever. Sooner or later they show their true colours. The more real and honest they are, the more we warm to them.

People will buy into you when you're just being who you are. When you're expressing your true self you'll be speaking directly to people's hearts and not just their heads.

This is when the real magic starts.

© Content drawn from 'Mind Set and Match' on sale now at www.sunilbali.com.

Given Retraining America Now's focus on 'Authentic Excellence', valued this post from Sunil, a colleague on Ecademy, thanks Sunil. Clive Digby-Jones www.retrainingamericanow.com

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:34:00 +0000

The Staff of the Professional Placement Network WorkForce 1, Broward, Fl. gets the 'Expert Strategy' - a breakthrough program to help their clients back into work

Susan Leventhal, Regional Director, with the presenters, Clive Digby-Jones and Richard Israel of Retraining America Now, LLC

A pilot presentation was met with considerable interest and the program is now under review

www.retrainingamericanow.com

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:27:00 +0000

The Job-Hunter's Survival Guide: How to Find a Rewarding Job Even When "There Are No Jobs"

by Richard N. Bolles

See this book on Amazon »

Clive has read this book

Recommended

Comment: "Excellent inexpensive slim guide to finding work in the disastrous job market and how to survive until you do. The sections on the least and most effective ways of searching and the key to networking makes this essential reading. Richard Bolles is the author of the What Color is Your Parachute series. Great clarity of thought and elegant simplicity in his writing"

cdigbyjones@gmail.com (Clive G Digby-Jones) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Mind Chi: Re-wire Your Brain in 8 Minutes a Day - Strategies for Success in Business and Life

by Vanda North, Richard Israel

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Clive is reading this book

Comment: "This is the 'How' missing from books like 'The Secret' or the 'Power of Now'. As a new Mind Chi Mentor, I'm reading this in pre-publication form. This book will electrify the personal development, NLP, and well being markets. If you are curious about removing inner stress, balancing work/life or developing stunning business strategies contact me. A must for every manager, executive and business owner."

www.retrainingamericanow.com