Oct. 16, 2002 – The University of the Virgin Islands presents its annual World Food Day celebration from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday on the St. Croix campus. This year's theme, "Water: Source of Food Security, " focuses on the essential role water plays in ensuring sustainable food resources for a growing world population.
UVI's campus grounds will be set up fair-style with food and fresh produce on sale. The free celebration includes workshops, field tours, children's games, a Caribbean cook-off competition and a vegetable seedling distribution. Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and Glamorous Sounds will provide entertainment.
During the official opening, UVI's Vice Provost for Research and Public Service Dr. Henry Smith will give the keynote address based on the theme.
World Food Day activities are sponsored by UVI's Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with UVI's Agricultural Experiment Station.
Community members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the food drive.
Highlights include:
– 1-2 p.m.: Official Opening
– 1-4 p.m.: Caribbean CookOff Competition
– 2-3 p.m.: Field Tour
– 2-2:45 p.m.: Workshops: Drip Irrigation, Food Demonstration (for children), Hot Pepper Production
– 3-3:45 p.m.: Workshops: Safe and Healthy Drinking Water, Citrus Production
– 4-4:45 p.m.: Workshops: Aquaculture Options for the V.I., Food Demonstration, Poultry Production
– 4-5 p.m.: Field Tour
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
CARIBBEAN JAZZ QUARTET TO BRING THE SUN DOWN
Oct. 16, 2002 – Four veteran local musicians coming together as The Caribbean Jazz Quartet will provide the music for Friday's Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted concert — Rod Cochran on piano, Calvin Whyte on steelpan, Gary Zappa on bass and Papo Valentine on drums.
To accompany the music, Hispanos Unidos will be selling food, and there will be a cash bar operated by the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, which presents the monthly jazz concerts in Veterans Park along the town waterfront.
The public is invited and admission is free.
Here's a look at who's who in the Caribbean Jazz Quartet:
– Rodrick Cochran was playing the piano and singing in church in Mobile, Alabama, at the age of 8. In high school, he joined the band — as a tuba player — and played piano with a group called Praze. He earned a music scholarship to Texas Southern University, where he played in the jazz band. What first brought him to St. Croix was a 1999 gig at the Divi Casino with the group Flashback. A year later he returned with the group 747, and this time he stayed. Locally he has performed with Eddie and Ronnie Russell, Neil Simon, Zappa and many others.
– Calvin Whyte took up steelpan in his native Antigua at an early age. At 13, he was the fill-in leader of the 14-piece steelband Brute Force. Before long, he had his own five-piece band, Piece Pipes, a popular fixture on the island's hotel circuit for years. He moved to St. Croix to become instructor/arranger of the Central High School Steel Orchestra; in 1979-85, he also was the arranger for Bill Bass's Rising Stars Steel Orchestra. He currently is chief instructor for the Human Services Department's Youth Promotion and Delinquency Prevention Unit.
– Gary Zappa grew up in the American Midwest, attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and played with such Chicago blues artists as Jimmy Johnson and Big Time Sara. He toured for eight years with jazz pianist/composer Bin Sidran then later moved to Florida, where he formed the R&B Connection. There he met guitarist Steve Usher and formed the Tropical Jazz Quartet, which opened for such acts as Spyro Gyra, Art Porter and Craig Chaquico. After settling on St. Croix two years ago, he formed the versatile band Tuff Enuff.
– Edwin "Papo" Valentine grew up in New York City, where he began playing bongos at age 10. He worked with musicians around the city gaining experience and confidence. Later, he moved to Cleveland where he played timbales in local salsa bands. Then it was on to Florida, where he, too, met Steve Usher. After eight years as a member of the Tropical Jazz Quartet, he moved to St. Croix, where he was reunited with longtime road buddy Gary Zappa and became a member of Tuff Enuff.
Friday's concert begins at 5:30 p.m. and will last about two hours.
"Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted is a great third Friday night [of the month] out for the entire family," publicity states. "Bring the kids … bring a lawn chair, a folding chair or even a blanket to spread on the grass and enjoy great jazz and beautiful sunsets along the waterfront in downtown Frederiksted."
Concertgoers are encouraged to stay in town after the concert to have dinner and/or enjoy entertainment events and activities in Frederiksted.
Upcoming Sunset Jazz concerts will feature Diane Russell on Nov. 15, Neil Simon on Dec. 20 and VI Art Ensemble on Jan. 17. For more information, send an e-mail to Sunset Jazz or call 719-3672.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
To accompany the music, Hispanos Unidos will be selling food, and there will be a cash bar operated by the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, which presents the monthly jazz concerts in Veterans Park along the town waterfront.
The public is invited and admission is free.
Here's a look at who's who in the Caribbean Jazz Quartet:
– Rodrick Cochran was playing the piano and singing in church in Mobile, Alabama, at the age of 8. In high school, he joined the band — as a tuba player — and played piano with a group called Praze. He earned a music scholarship to Texas Southern University, where he played in the jazz band. What first brought him to St. Croix was a 1999 gig at the Divi Casino with the group Flashback. A year later he returned with the group 747, and this time he stayed. Locally he has performed with Eddie and Ronnie Russell, Neil Simon, Zappa and many others.
– Calvin Whyte took up steelpan in his native Antigua at an early age. At 13, he was the fill-in leader of the 14-piece steelband Brute Force. Before long, he had his own five-piece band, Piece Pipes, a popular fixture on the island's hotel circuit for years. He moved to St. Croix to become instructor/arranger of the Central High School Steel Orchestra; in 1979-85, he also was the arranger for Bill Bass's Rising Stars Steel Orchestra. He currently is chief instructor for the Human Services Department's Youth Promotion and Delinquency Prevention Unit.
– Gary Zappa grew up in the American Midwest, attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and played with such Chicago blues artists as Jimmy Johnson and Big Time Sara. He toured for eight years with jazz pianist/composer Bin Sidran then later moved to Florida, where he formed the R&B Connection. There he met guitarist Steve Usher and formed the Tropical Jazz Quartet, which opened for such acts as Spyro Gyra, Art Porter and Craig Chaquico. After settling on St. Croix two years ago, he formed the versatile band Tuff Enuff.
– Edwin "Papo" Valentine grew up in New York City, where he began playing bongos at age 10. He worked with musicians around the city gaining experience and confidence. Later, he moved to Cleveland where he played timbales in local salsa bands. Then it was on to Florida, where he, too, met Steve Usher. After eight years as a member of the Tropical Jazz Quartet, he moved to St. Croix, where he was reunited with longtime road buddy Gary Zappa and became a member of Tuff Enuff.
Friday's concert begins at 5:30 p.m. and will last about two hours.
"Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted is a great third Friday night [of the month] out for the entire family," publicity states. "Bring the kids … bring a lawn chair, a folding chair or even a blanket to spread on the grass and enjoy great jazz and beautiful sunsets along the waterfront in downtown Frederiksted."
Concertgoers are encouraged to stay in town after the concert to have dinner and/or enjoy entertainment events and activities in Frederiksted.
Upcoming Sunset Jazz concerts will feature Diane Russell on Nov. 15, Neil Simon on Dec. 20 and VI Art Ensemble on Jan. 17. For more information, send an e-mail to Sunset Jazz or call 719-3672.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
STRIKE MEDIATION TALKS TO CONTINUE THURSDAY
Oct. 16, 2002 – As the strike by 310 employees of Innovative Telephone and Innovative Cable-TV entered its third week, representatives of labor and management sat down with a federal mediator on Wednesday in an effort to reach resolution of the contract issues that divide them.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
STRIKE MEDIATION TALKS TO CONTINUE THURSDAY
Oct. 16, 2002 – As the strike by 310 employees of Innovative Telephone and Innovative Cable-TV entered its third week, representatives of labor and management sat down with a federal mediator on Wednesday in an effort to reach resolution of the contract issues that divide them.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
STRIKE MEDIATION TALKS TO CONTINUE THURSDAY
Oct. 16, 2002 – As the strike by 310 employees of Innovative Telephone and Innovative Cable-TV entered its third week, representatives of labor and management sat down with a federal mediator on Wednesday in an effort to reach resolution of the contract issues that divide them.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
In keeping with one thing both sides had agreed on earlier, nobody was talking to the news media on Wednesday evening about what transpired on the first day of negotiations.
"Both sides have … accepted that as a ground rule," Innovative Telephone spokesman Thomas Dunn said. United Steelworkers Union representative Randolph Allen said the same thing, adding that the mediation talks would resume on Thursday.
Since the strike began on Oct. 2, phone lines throughout the territory have been vandalized, affecting service to more than 5,000 customers, according to Innovative. The phone company posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. No arrests have been made in connection with the action, which the company has described as sabotage.
The most recent such action occurred Tuesday, when about 100 telephone customers in the vicinity of Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas lost service.
The work stoppage centers primarily around union dissatisfaction with ICC's benefit and retirement package offer.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
VETERANS EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Oct. 16, 2002 – As chair of the Senate Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel has received information from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs concerning exposure by veterans in the 1960s and early 1970s to dangerous chemical and/or biological substances in connection with the Defense Department's Project SHAD.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
VETERANS EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Oct. 16, 2002 – As chair of the Senate Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel has received information from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs concerning exposure by veterans in the 1960s and early 1970s to dangerous chemical and/or biological substances in connection with the Defense Department's Project SHAD.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
VETERANS EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Oct. 16, 2002 – As chair of the Senate Labor and Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel has received information from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs concerning exposure by veterans in the 1960s and early 1970s to dangerous chemical and/or biological substances in connection with the Defense Department's Project SHAD.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The acronym stands for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. The project was part of a larger one known as Project 112.
A release from Pickard-Samuel's office stated that on Oct. 9, the Defense Department released declassified documents concerning 28 land and sea tests of the hazardous materials in Project 112. The purpose of Project SHAD was "to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents," the release said.
The Defense Department has provided the Veterans Affairs Department with the names of ships and service personnel involved in the testing, and the VA has contracted a three-year study of the health of the Project SHAD personnel. Now, VA officials are seeking to obtain current addresses of these veterans to let them know of their possible exposure and of VA programs to assist them, the release said.
Pickard-Samuel said she has the list of ships and that any V.I. veterans who believe they have a disability as a result of exposure during the testing can file a claim for compensation. She asked that local veterans who may have been involved in such testing contact her office for additional information by calling 693-3536.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OCTOBER 2002 BRAINSTORM
As you read this October Brainstorm creativity e-bulletin, I will be heading for three weeks in the United States, having a look at the latest creative developments there — undoubtedly some of those will find their way into the November e-bulletin. In the meantime, I hope the following tips and techniques will be helpful.
The central dilemma of all creative people
The central dilemma of all creative people is the love-hate relationship the world has with something new. Here is what novelist Elizabeth Berg said about it in a recent issue of The Writer magazine: "[Writing] is so fraught with should's and should not's and what a story is and what a story is not … oftentimes editors will tell you what they are looking for and then they get something completely different and say, 'Oh isn't it wonderful — it is totally unlike anything we've ever seen.'"
She adds: "So how will that come about if people don't trust themselves to do something altogether different or uniquely their own?"
An interesting demonstration of this is the hit U.S. television series "The Shield." The writer of the original script says he allowed himself to make the script gritty and edgy only because he thought it would be just a writing sample. He never thought it would actually be made; otherwise, he would have censored himself at the start.
Tip: Be alert to the way you may be censoring yourself from having or acting on your more radical ideas. In a notebook or journal, record the first, wildest version of your idea. If you later decide to tone it down or make it more similar to what is already being done, you can still go back to the original and decide whether you have gone too far in the direction of safety.
Try the opposite
I have previously suggested a creativity technique in which you think of what is usually done, and then think about what is the opposite and let that lead you to a new idea. I have recently come across a great example of this, as told by film executive Peter Guber. He was planning to make the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" but realized that it could easily go far over budget if the gorillas, which were to be filmed in the highlands of Rwanda, did not behave the way the script wanted them to. The studio was about to shelve the project when a young intern suggested letting the gorillas write the script.
Asked what she meant, she suggested sending a cinematographer to get lots and lots of footage of the gorillas doing whatever they were doing, and then writing the script around that. That is how the film was made — for half the original budget!
This story illustrates not only the try-the-opposite technique, but also that often it is the least-experienced person — in this case, a young intern — who comes up with an innovative idea.
Tip: If you have not done so already, give the try-the-opposite technique a try. Do not rule anything out too quickly; instead, question the assumptions you are making that someone new to the situation might not make.
Are you a USP?
Gerald Kushel, professor emeritus of mental health counseling at Long Island University, has studied uncommonly successful people and found that they have three important traits in common:
– Inner calm that allows them to focus their attention and energies.
– Clear goals and a sense of purpose.
– A sense of adventure that allows them to take risks and cope with setbacks.
Tip: If you are missing a sense of inner calm, try meditation; if you have no goals, try writing out what you would like to achieve in your personal and business life in the next year, three years and five years; and if you are missing a sense of adventure, find some safe ways to do something new, and determine whether risks that might be good for you can be broken down into steps to make them feel more manageable.
Your one-minute NLP workshop
If you're not familiar with Neuro Linguistic Programming, here is a one-minute introduction to its approach that you can use to deal with any challenge:
– First, decide on your outcomes. What do you want? Be as specific as possible so you'll know when you have it (and in the meantime, whether or not you're moving closer to it).
– Second, brainstorm a variety of ways you can reach your goal. Don't stop at the way things are usually done; be creative to come up with other ways that might be faster, less expensive, less work.
– Third, choose the actions that are most likely to lead to success, and implement them.
– Fourth, assess whether not these actions are taking you nearer your goal at an acceptable speed. If not, don't just do more of the same, but do something different and compare the results it brings you. Keep up this feedback and adjustment loop until you reach your goal.
Tip: This process may sound so simple as to be only common sense … but how many people actually follow it in practice? For an excellent introduction to NLP and its key techniques, I recommend "NLP Workbook" written by Joseph O'Conner and published in the United Kingdom by Thorsons in 2001. However, any NLP books by O'Conner, John Seymour and/or Ian McDermott are good.
Did you know that the "Power Trances" CD by Jurgen Wolff can help you relax, generate ideas, and transform the inner critic? And that it makes a terrific present that friends can use again and again? For information about content and ordering, send an e-mail to BstormUK.
Focus, focus, focus
According to New York Times journalist Lisa Belkin, focus is to this decade what time management was to the last one. Originally everyone lauded multi-tasking, but lately it has been derided as trying to do too many things at once. Belkin mentions the example of the Boston doctor who left a patient in mid-surgery to go to the bank for 20 minutes. The article cites two practical tips. One is turning off your mobile phone when you really want to work but avoiding phone rage on the part of your callers by leaving a message that states when you will be returning calls. The other is booking into a hotel to work for three days incommunicado every couple of months.
The woman who recommends this, Vickie Sullivan, claims she can cram three weeks of focused time into three days and get major projects done that wouldn't get done otherwise.
Tip: Consider whether you are giving yourself enough time each week to focus on the things that really matter. If you cannot do this in your normal environment, consider how you could vary your routine and your locations to make this easier.
A quote to think about
"Anybody can come up with new ideas. What's in short supply are innovative people — persistent mavericks who believe so strongly in an idea that they will do whatever it takes to make it a working reality. — Michael LeBoeuf
P.S. — Our web site is BrainstormNet.com. You might also enjoy my book "Do Something Different," available in the United States from Amazon.com. We also welcome your comments.
[Contents copyright 2002, Jurgen Wolff]
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
The central dilemma of all creative people
The central dilemma of all creative people is the love-hate relationship the world has with something new. Here is what novelist Elizabeth Berg said about it in a recent issue of The Writer magazine: "[Writing] is so fraught with should's and should not's and what a story is and what a story is not … oftentimes editors will tell you what they are looking for and then they get something completely different and say, 'Oh isn't it wonderful — it is totally unlike anything we've ever seen.'"
She adds: "So how will that come about if people don't trust themselves to do something altogether different or uniquely their own?"
An interesting demonstration of this is the hit U.S. television series "The Shield." The writer of the original script says he allowed himself to make the script gritty and edgy only because he thought it would be just a writing sample. He never thought it would actually be made; otherwise, he would have censored himself at the start.
Tip: Be alert to the way you may be censoring yourself from having or acting on your more radical ideas. In a notebook or journal, record the first, wildest version of your idea. If you later decide to tone it down or make it more similar to what is already being done, you can still go back to the original and decide whether you have gone too far in the direction of safety.
Try the opposite
I have previously suggested a creativity technique in which you think of what is usually done, and then think about what is the opposite and let that lead you to a new idea. I have recently come across a great example of this, as told by film executive Peter Guber. He was planning to make the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" but realized that it could easily go far over budget if the gorillas, which were to be filmed in the highlands of Rwanda, did not behave the way the script wanted them to. The studio was about to shelve the project when a young intern suggested letting the gorillas write the script.
Asked what she meant, she suggested sending a cinematographer to get lots and lots of footage of the gorillas doing whatever they were doing, and then writing the script around that. That is how the film was made — for half the original budget!
This story illustrates not only the try-the-opposite technique, but also that often it is the least-experienced person — in this case, a young intern — who comes up with an innovative idea.
Tip: If you have not done so already, give the try-the-opposite technique a try. Do not rule anything out too quickly; instead, question the assumptions you are making that someone new to the situation might not make.
Are you a USP?
Gerald Kushel, professor emeritus of mental health counseling at Long Island University, has studied uncommonly successful people and found that they have three important traits in common:
– Inner calm that allows them to focus their attention and energies.
– Clear goals and a sense of purpose.
– A sense of adventure that allows them to take risks and cope with setbacks.
Tip: If you are missing a sense of inner calm, try meditation; if you have no goals, try writing out what you would like to achieve in your personal and business life in the next year, three years and five years; and if you are missing a sense of adventure, find some safe ways to do something new, and determine whether risks that might be good for you can be broken down into steps to make them feel more manageable.
Your one-minute NLP workshop
If you're not familiar with Neuro Linguistic Programming, here is a one-minute introduction to its approach that you can use to deal with any challenge:
– First, decide on your outcomes. What do you want? Be as specific as possible so you'll know when you have it (and in the meantime, whether or not you're moving closer to it).
– Second, brainstorm a variety of ways you can reach your goal. Don't stop at the way things are usually done; be creative to come up with other ways that might be faster, less expensive, less work.
– Third, choose the actions that are most likely to lead to success, and implement them.
– Fourth, assess whether not these actions are taking you nearer your goal at an acceptable speed. If not, don't just do more of the same, but do something different and compare the results it brings you. Keep up this feedback and adjustment loop until you reach your goal.
Tip: This process may sound so simple as to be only common sense … but how many people actually follow it in practice? For an excellent introduction to NLP and its key techniques, I recommend "NLP Workbook" written by Joseph O'Conner and published in the United Kingdom by Thorsons in 2001. However, any NLP books by O'Conner, John Seymour and/or Ian McDermott are good.
Did you know that the "Power Trances" CD by Jurgen Wolff can help you relax, generate ideas, and transform the inner critic? And that it makes a terrific present that friends can use again and again? For information about content and ordering, send an e-mail to BstormUK.
Focus, focus, focus
According to New York Times journalist Lisa Belkin, focus is to this decade what time management was to the last one. Originally everyone lauded multi-tasking, but lately it has been derided as trying to do too many things at once. Belkin mentions the example of the Boston doctor who left a patient in mid-surgery to go to the bank for 20 minutes. The article cites two practical tips. One is turning off your mobile phone when you really want to work but avoiding phone rage on the part of your callers by leaving a message that states when you will be returning calls. The other is booking into a hotel to work for three days incommunicado every couple of months.
The woman who recommends this, Vickie Sullivan, claims she can cram three weeks of focused time into three days and get major projects done that wouldn't get done otherwise.
Tip: Consider whether you are giving yourself enough time each week to focus on the things that really matter. If you cannot do this in your normal environment, consider how you could vary your routine and your locations to make this easier.
A quote to think about
"Anybody can come up with new ideas. What's in short supply are innovative people — persistent mavericks who believe so strongly in an idea that they will do whatever it takes to make it a working reality. — Michael LeBoeuf
P.S. — Our web site is BrainstormNet.com. You might also enjoy my book "Do Something Different," available in the United States from Amazon.com. We also welcome your comments.
[Contents copyright 2002, Jurgen Wolff]
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
OCTOBER 2002 BRAINSTORM
As you read this October Brainstorm creativity e-bulletin, I will be heading for three weeks in the United States, having a look at the latest creative developments there — undoubtedly some of those will find their way into the November e-bulletin. In the meantime, I hope the following tips and techniques will be helpful.
The central dilemma of all creative people
The central dilemma of all creative people is the love-hate relationship the world has with something new. Here is what novelist Elizabeth Berg said about it in a recent issue of The Writer magazine: "[Writing] is so fraught with should's and should not's and what a story is and what a story is not … oftentimes editors will tell you what they are looking for and then they get something completely different and say, 'Oh isn't it wonderful — it is totally unlike anything we've ever seen.'"
She adds: "So how will that come about if people don't trust themselves to do something altogether different or uniquely their own?"
An interesting demonstration of this is the hit U.S. television series "The Shield." The writer of the original script says he allowed himself to make the script gritty and edgy only because he thought it would be just a writing sample. He never thought it would actually be made; otherwise, he would have censored himself at the start.
Tip: Be alert to the way you may be censoring yourself from having or acting on your more radical ideas. In a notebook or journal, record the first, wildest version of your idea. If you later decide to tone it down or make it more similar to what is already being done, you can still go back to the original and decide whether you have gone too far in the direction of safety.
Try the opposite
I have previously suggested a creativity technique in which you think of what is usually done, and then think about what is the opposite and let that lead you to a new idea. I have recently come across a great example of this, as told by film executive Peter Guber. He was planning to make the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" but realized that it could easily go far over budget if the gorillas, which were to be filmed in the highlands of Rwanda, did not behave the way the script wanted them to. The studio was about to shelve the project when a young intern suggested letting the gorillas write the script.
Asked what she meant, she suggested sending a cinematographer to get lots and lots of footage of the gorillas doing whatever they were doing, and then writing the script around that. That is how the film was made — for half the original budget!
This story illustrates not only the try-the-opposite technique, but also that often it is the least-experienced person — in this case, a young intern — who comes up with an innovative idea.
Tip: If you have not done so already, give the try-the-opposite technique a try. Do not rule anything out too quickly; instead, question the assumptions you are making that someone new to the situation might not make.
Are you a USP?
Gerald Kushel, professor emeritus of mental health counseling at Long Island University, has studied uncommonly successful people and found that they have three important traits in common:
– Inner calm that allows them to focus their attention and energies.
– Clear goals and a sense of purpose.
– A sense of adventure that allows them to take risks and cope with setbacks.
Tip: If you are missing a sense of inner calm, try meditation; if you have no goals, try writing out what you would like to achieve in your personal and business life in the next year, three years and five years; and if you are missing a sense of adventure, find some safe ways to do something new, and determine whether risks that might be good for you can be broken down into steps to make them feel more manageable.
Your one-minute NLP workshop
If you're not familiar with Neuro Linguistic Programming, here is a one-minute introduction to its approach that you can use to deal with any challenge:
– First, decide on your outcomes. What do you want? Be as specific as possible so you'll know when you have it (and in the meantime, whether or not you're moving closer to it).
– Second, brainstorm a variety of ways you can reach your goal. Don't stop at the way things are usually done; be creative to come up with other ways that might be faster, less expensive, less work.
– Third, choose the actions that are most likely to lead to success, and implement them.
– Fourth, assess whether not these actions are taking you nearer your goal at an acceptable speed. If not, don't just do more of the same, but do something different and compare the results it brings you. Keep up this feedback and adjustment loop until you reach your goal.
Tip: This process may sound so simple as to be only common sense … but how many people actually follow it in practice? For an excellent introduction to NLP and its key techniques, I recommend "NLP Workbook" written by Joseph O'Conner and published in the United Kingdom by Thorsons in 2001. However, any NLP books by O'Conner, John Seymour and/or Ian McDermott are good.
Did you know that the "Power Trances" CD by Jurgen Wolff can help you relax, generate ideas, and transform the inner critic? And that it makes a terrific present that friends can use again and again? For information about content and ordering, send an e-mail to BstormUK.
Focus, focus, focus
According to New York Times journalist Lisa Belkin, focus is to this decade what time management was to the last one. Originally everyone lauded multi-tasking, but lately it has been derided as trying to do too many things at once. Belkin mentions the example of the Boston doctor who left a patient in mid-surgery to go to the bank for 20 minutes. The article cites two practical tips. One is turning off your mobile phone when you really want to work but avoiding phone rage on the part of your callers by leaving a message that states when you will be returning calls. The other is booking into a hotel to work for three days incommunicado every couple of months.
The woman who recommends this, Vickie Sullivan, claims she can cram three weeks of focused time into three days and get major projects done that wouldn't get done otherwise.
Tip: Consider whether you are giving yourself enough time each week to focus on the things that really matter. If you cannot do this in your normal environment, consider how you could vary your routine and your locations to make this easier.
A quote to think about
"Anybody can come up with new ideas. What's in short supply are innovative people — persistent mavericks who believe so strongly in an idea that they will do whatever it takes to make it a working reality. — Michael LeBoeuf
P.S. — Our web site is BrainstormNet.com. You might also enjoy my book "Do Something Different," available in the United States from Amazon.com. We also welcome your comments.
[Contents copyright 2002, Jurgen Wolff]
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here..
The central dilemma of all creative people
The central dilemma of all creative people is the love-hate relationship the world has with something new. Here is what novelist Elizabeth Berg said about it in a recent issue of The Writer magazine: "[Writing] is so fraught with should's and should not's and what a story is and what a story is not … oftentimes editors will tell you what they are looking for and then they get something completely different and say, 'Oh isn't it wonderful — it is totally unlike anything we've ever seen.'"
She adds: "So how will that come about if people don't trust themselves to do something altogether different or uniquely their own?"
An interesting demonstration of this is the hit U.S. television series "The Shield." The writer of the original script says he allowed himself to make the script gritty and edgy only because he thought it would be just a writing sample. He never thought it would actually be made; otherwise, he would have censored himself at the start.
Tip: Be alert to the way you may be censoring yourself from having or acting on your more radical ideas. In a notebook or journal, record the first, wildest version of your idea. If you later decide to tone it down or make it more similar to what is already being done, you can still go back to the original and decide whether you have gone too far in the direction of safety.
Try the opposite
I have previously suggested a creativity technique in which you think of what is usually done, and then think about what is the opposite and let that lead you to a new idea. I have recently come across a great example of this, as told by film executive Peter Guber. He was planning to make the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" but realized that it could easily go far over budget if the gorillas, which were to be filmed in the highlands of Rwanda, did not behave the way the script wanted them to. The studio was about to shelve the project when a young intern suggested letting the gorillas write the script.
Asked what she meant, she suggested sending a cinematographer to get lots and lots of footage of the gorillas doing whatever they were doing, and then writing the script around that. That is how the film was made — for half the original budget!
This story illustrates not only the try-the-opposite technique, but also that often it is the least-experienced person — in this case, a young intern — who comes up with an innovative idea.
Tip: If you have not done so already, give the try-the-opposite technique a try. Do not rule anything out too quickly; instead, question the assumptions you are making that someone new to the situation might not make.
Are you a USP?
Gerald Kushel, professor emeritus of mental health counseling at Long Island University, has studied uncommonly successful people and found that they have three important traits in common:
– Inner calm that allows them to focus their attention and energies.
– Clear goals and a sense of purpose.
– A sense of adventure that allows them to take risks and cope with setbacks.
Tip: If you are missing a sense of inner calm, try meditation; if you have no goals, try writing out what you would like to achieve in your personal and business life in the next year, three years and five years; and if you are missing a sense of adventure, find some safe ways to do something new, and determine whether risks that might be good for you can be broken down into steps to make them feel more manageable.
Your one-minute NLP workshop
If you're not familiar with Neuro Linguistic Programming, here is a one-minute introduction to its approach that you can use to deal with any challenge:
– First, decide on your outcomes. What do you want? Be as specific as possible so you'll know when you have it (and in the meantime, whether or not you're moving closer to it).
– Second, brainstorm a variety of ways you can reach your goal. Don't stop at the way things are usually done; be creative to come up with other ways that might be faster, less expensive, less work.
– Third, choose the actions that are most likely to lead to success, and implement them.
– Fourth, assess whether not these actions are taking you nearer your goal at an acceptable speed. If not, don't just do more of the same, but do something different and compare the results it brings you. Keep up this feedback and adjustment loop until you reach your goal.
Tip: This process may sound so simple as to be only common sense … but how many people actually follow it in practice? For an excellent introduction to NLP and its key techniques, I recommend "NLP Workbook" written by Joseph O'Conner and published in the United Kingdom by Thorsons in 2001. However, any NLP books by O'Conner, John Seymour and/or Ian McDermott are good.
Did you know that the "Power Trances" CD by Jurgen Wolff can help you relax, generate ideas, and transform the inner critic? And that it makes a terrific present that friends can use again and again? For information about content and ordering, send an e-mail to BstormUK.
Focus, focus, focus
According to New York Times journalist Lisa Belkin, focus is to this decade what time management was to the last one. Originally everyone lauded multi-tasking, but lately it has been derided as trying to do too many things at once. Belkin mentions the example of the Boston doctor who left a patient in mid-surgery to go to the bank for 20 minutes. The article cites two practical tips. One is turning off your mobile phone when you really want to work but avoiding phone rage on the part of your callers by leaving a message that states when you will be returning calls. The other is booking into a hotel to work for three days incommunicado every couple of months.
The woman who recommends this, Vickie Sullivan, claims she can cram three weeks of focused time into three days and get major projects done that wouldn't get done otherwise.
Tip: Consider whether you are giving yourself enough time each week to focus on the things that really matter. If you cannot do this in your normal environment, consider how you could vary your routine and your locations to make this easier.
A quote to think about
"Anybody can come up with new ideas. What's in short supply are innovative people — persistent mavericks who believe so strongly in an idea that they will do whatever it takes to make it a working reality. — Michael LeBoeuf
P.S. — Our web site is BrainstormNet.com. You might also enjoy my book "Do Something Different," available in the United States from Amazon.com. We also welcome your comments.
[Contents copyright 2002, Jurgen Wolff]
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here..
