Elemental Truths

Conflict Management Styles Survey

2010-11-30T15:09:00.000-05:00

We each have our own way of dealing with conflict. The techniques we use are
based on many variables such as our basic underlying temperament, our personality,
our environment and where we are in our professional career. However, by and
large there are five major styles of conflict management techniques in our tool box. In
order to address conflict we draw from a collaborating, competing, avoiding,
harmonizing or compromising style of management. None of these strategies is
superior in and of itself. How effective they are depends on the context in which they
are used.

Each statement below provides a strategy for dealing with a conflict. Rate each
statement on a scale of 1 to 4 indicating how likely you are to use this strategy.

1 = Rarely 2 = Sometimes 3 = Often 4 = Always

Be sure to answer the questions indicating how you would behave rather than how
you think you should behave.

1. I explore issues with others so as to find solutions that meet everyone‟s needs.
2. I try to negotiate and adopt a give-and-take approach to problem situations
3. I try to meet the expectations of others.
4. I would argue my case and insist on the merits of my point of view.
5. When there is a disagreement, I gather as much information as I can and keep the lines
of communication open.
6. When I find myself in an argument, I usually say very little and try to leave as soon as
possible.
7. I try to see conflicts from both sides. What do I need? What does the other person
need? What are the issues involved?
8. I prefer to compromise when solving problems and just move on.
9. I find conflicts challenging and exhilarating; I enjoy the battle of wits that usually
follows.
10. Being at odds with other people makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious.
11. I try to accommodate the wishes of my friends and family.
12. I can figure out what needs to be done and I am usually right.
13. To break deadlocks, I would meet people halfway.
14. I may not get what I want but it‟s a small price to pay for keeping the peace.
15. I avoid hard feelings by keeping my disagreements with others to myself.

How to score the Conflict Management Quiz:

As stated, the 15 statements correspond to the five conflict resolution styles. To find
your most preferred style, total the points in the respective categories. The one with
the highest score indicates your most commonly used strategy. The one with the lowest
score indicates your least preferred strategy. However, if you are a leader
who must deal with conflict on a regular basis, you may find your style to be a blend
of styles.

Style Corresponding Statements: Total:

Collaborating: 1, 5, 7
Competing: 4, 9, 12
Avoiding: 6, 10 15
Harmonizing: 3, 11, 14
Compromising: 2, 8, 13

Collaborating Style: Problems are solved in ways in which an optimum result is
provided for all involved.
Both sides get what they want and negative feelings are minimized.
Pros: Creates mutual trust; maintains positive relationships; builds commitments.
Cons: Time consuming; energy consuming.

Competing Style: Authoritarian approach.
Pros: Goal oriented; quick.
Cons: May breed hostility.

Avoiding Style: The non-confrontational approach.
Pros: Does not escalate conflict; postpones difficulty.
Cons: Unaddressed problems; unresolved problems.

Harmonizing Style: Giving in to maintain relationships.
Pros: Minimizes injury when we are outmatched; relationships are maintained.
Cons: Breeds resentment; exploits the weak.

Compromising Style: The middle ground approach.
Pros: Useful in complex issues without simple solutions; all parties are equal in power.
Cons: No one is ever really satisfied; less than optimal solutions get implemented.

My survey is currently being utilized (with my permission) by the South Island Dispute Resolution Center.

Upcoming I will take a look at how these management styles might be used and possibly overused.

November 14, 1970

2010-11-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

On November 14, 1970 the plane carrying the Marshall University football team crashed in Wayne County, West Virginia, killing all on board.

I was nine years old.

I was born in Huntington and lived in Wayne. The devastation was felt throughout our community.

On than rainy, dreary day I knew I would someday attend Marshall. In the mid eighties my wife, Patricia, and I graduated from Marshall and the memorial was still a big part of our community. My daughters tell me they want to be part of the Big Green as well.

May all the sons and daughters of Marshall remember and reflect on this day.

Carl Jung

2010-11-08T19:51:00.000-05:00

Carl Jung wrote the book Personality Types, or more correctly "Psychologische Typen." The book was originally published in German. Which, I thought was a little weird because he was actually Swiss; in a little town called Kesswil. So, I figured the language would be either French or Italian. But, I guess I should never underestimate the influence of German expansion..

Anyway, Carl Jung wrote this book about personalities. It was basically an exercise in self discovery. See Jung felt from his early childhood that he was two different people. He even referred to himself as Personality number 1 and Personality number 2. He considered himself an out going, happy go lucky school boy. He also considered himself a stoic reserved many of dignity and reserve.

It was of interest to me that his dad was an impoverished and very reserved pastor of the Swiss Reformed Church. On the other hand his mother was the daughter of a well to do Hebrew professor.

His mother was a firm believer in the spirit world and held steadfast in her belief that she was visited by spirits on a nightly basis. It is fair to say that her view of reality was somewhat askew. But, what the hey. Most of the time she was really good fun to be around. That is until bouts of depressed found her sequestered in her bedroom for time on end.

The following is an excerpt from the Daily Grail.

For much of his career Jung obscured his interest in the occult, in his later years his writings on Gnosticism, alchemy, the paranormal, spiritualism, and even flying saucers brought these otherwise marginal areas into the field of respectable research. Predictably, Jung’s occult inclinations led to criticisms of irrationalism. Like Ludwig Klages, Jung has been seen by many on the left as a dangerous exponent of völkisch ideas. The neo-Marxist philosopher Ernst Bloch, himself no stranger to Rosicrucianesque utopias, once described Jung as a “fascistically frothing psychoanalyst.” Other neo-Marxist philosophers, like Theodor Adorno, likewise branded Jung a fascist. The tag was perhaps first made seriously by the German-Jewish cultural philosopher Walter Benjamin, who, unlike Adorno, had some interest in occult ideas, specifically the cabala and graphology, a discipline he shared, ironically, with the “fascist” Klages. (Benjamin was also a close friend of the cabalist scholar Gershom Scholem, who, as mentioned, was an associate of Jung at the Eranos lectures.) Adorno, Bloch, and others saw Jung’s psychology as a simple celebration of the unconscious, a rejection of the rational, critical mind in the same vein as the work of the more straightforward irrationalist Klages, whose ideas about “soul” in opposition to “spirit,” they argue, helped prime the German psyche for Hitler. The fact that Jung, like many others, at first believed that the creative potential of Germany might find fruitful expression through Hitler couldn’t have helped. According to Jung’s psychology, the “shadow” side of the psyche, though associated with “evil,” can often be the source of “good,” of new life and transformation, and Jung reportedly spoke of the Nazis as “a chaotic precondition for the birth of a new world,” a nod to Nietzsche’s remark that “One must have chaos within oneself to give birth to a dancing star.” This, in a way, exemplifies the dangers of “holy sinning,” and reminds us that even great men can be blinded by their ideas.

How to Plan Training for Executives and Professionals

2010-10-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

The main purpose of executive training goes far beyond instruction about current innovations, the key purpose is to build a collaborative unit capable of long term success.

Content Considerations

When you plan to bring together a group of professionals it is very important to demonstrate that you respect their time as a high value item. In order to demonstrate that respect it is imperative that you provide the training in digestible segments. For a day long planning you should never attempt to train on more than three main concepts. Any training that could be conducted in less than that amount of time should be provided as independent material for that self-starting professionals are capable of absorbing on their own. Any training that requires more than a day broken into four segments is too large for one training and should be deconstructed into manageable portions.

Let's Break that Schedule Down

To make the absolute best use of the time break your morning into two blocks of ninety minutes. Plug in a decompression break between the two morning sessions. Schedule a lunch break with enough time for participants network process and absorb. Develop the afternoon session on the same pattern. Never, expect participants to attend to training for more than ninety minutes at a time. In fact, that ninety minutes is really a series of shorter focus elements that combine to create the actual ninety minutes.

Avoiding Death by Power Point
One of the most prevalent complaints listed on professional development feedback forms is frustration participants experienced at being read to. One more time for emphasis. DON'T READ TO YOUR PARTICIPANTS.

Successful professionals didn't get to be successful professionals by not being able to read. What need is valuable information presented in a manner that allows dialogue and interactions.

Slides are a jumping off point. A good rule of thumb is no more than one slide every three to five minutes. More than that is distracting. Less than that can be monotonous.

Expert Insight
Keep in mind the average adult attention span is about twenty minutes. That mean in order maximize your impact the most important information of your training should take place in the first twenty minutes of each session. That means each of your ninety minute sessions into four twenty minute sessions with time for transition and refocus between each focus topic.

Keywords

training plan
powerpoint
training

Reference

Preparing and Effective Presenttion: Brad Vander Zander, Professor University of Tennessee, Concentration computer instructional tools for teachers. [http://www.cs.utk.edu/~bvz/presentation.html]
Microsoft Office Power Point [http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/]

Resource

The Complete Idiot's Guide to PowerPoints [http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Microsoft-Powerpoint/dp/0789718669]

How to Respond to Left Wing Viral Emails

2010-10-25T21:12:00.000-05:00

My friends and family of the left wing persuasion have finally taken me off their distribution lists for those viral emails. But not for the reason you might think. Not because I expressly don't engage in political pontificating. Not because I asked them not to send me these messages. No, it was another reason entirely.

You see I research the facts and then reply to those emails. I systematically deconstruct the talking points. You turn on the light of day enough times, and they take you off their email lists.

Now, not everyone is as much of a wanker as I am but, break down one or two and you will make your point.

Here is WSJ's Fred Barnes take on the issue.

The Truth About Myers Briggs Personality Tests

2010-10-17T18:47:00.000-05:00

First do you know who Myers Briggs is?

Well, actually Myers Briggs isn't anybody. But Myer, Briggs are two people. What they are is a mother and daughter who became enamored of a book Carl Jung wrote in 1921 called Psychological Types.

Katherine Cook Briggs read a book and got all excited about it. So, she told her married daughter Isabel Briggs Myers about the book.

Well on to their qualifications. Katherine Cook Briggs as near as I can tell was an upper middle class housewife with a lot of free time on her hands. I don't find any record of her formal education. But, her dad was on the board of directors of a university and her husband was an attorney. So, she had access to a lot of people to try out the survey she was creating and legal protection if things didn't go well.

On the other hand Isabel Brigs Myers did have a degree. After being home schooled by her mother, who by the way was home schooled by her own mother, she was able to obtain a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science. Yes, Political Science.

Really? Yes, really. In fact a quote from Isabel's writing may bring things into clarity for you. " you can do things without having formally studied them."

Okay, so who is Carl Jung, again?

The answer to that question will be the subject of the next post.

9 Tips For A Sanguine Looking For Work

2010-09-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

One of the temperaments types that often finds itself in trouble is the sanguine. They have such an outgoing personality that is so driven to keep the party going that they often make agreements which require much more commitment than they are capable of providing.

A number of times I have found sanguines utterly miserable because they have chosen a field which wasn't "social" enough for them. Often they find themselves in the health profession. The initial flash of this job draws them like a moth to flame. However, they soon find themselves chaffing at the long term commitment necessary for the care of others.

If you are a sanguine at a time in your life that you are considering a career change, you should give some thought to real estate.

Here are some attractive factors for the sanguine interested in the real estate profession.

Now matter how much you plan your schedule must be able to change at the spur of the moment.
Being out of the office for a couple of days doesn't mean you won't make money.
Real estate is a constantly changing market.
There will ALWAYS be a market for real estate.
Real estate is an EXTREMELY social business.
You can create your own schedule.
You will make a enormous impact on the life of others.
There is an excellent income potential.
You work for yourself and outsourcing of your position will never be a problem.

15 Insights Into Personality in Handwriting

2010-09-18T18:59:00.000-05:00

These are some possible insights into temperament via the way we express ourselves in written form from Handwriting Pro Dot Com.

Curved: openness, unselfishness, yielding
Top Opening of A – O: emotional
Angular: selfishness, self-preservation and self-defense
A Angles: reactivity, resentment
B Angles: persistence or stubbornness
C Angles: shrewdness, manipulation
Touching Letters: apprehension
Forward Slant: languor, abandonment
Upright: self-possessed
Backward Slant: tendency to contradiction
Straight Extensions: inflexibility
Stable on the Line: firmness
Rising: presumption
Descending: moral weakness, discouragement, yielding
Planted on the Line: seriousness and reliability

6 Things You Didn't Know About Constitution Day

2010-09-17T12:31:00.002-05:00

This post is for those of us seeking to satiate our phlegmatic needs for facts in the fluff.

Every where we look something is being written about Constitution Day. So, let's answer the key questions.

What is it? Constitution Day celebrates the signing of the Constitution.
When is Constitution Day? Constitution Day is September the 17th.
Is it a singular day? No, Constitution Day is actually part of Constitution Week.
Is Constitution Day unofficial. No, Constitution Day is actually Public Law 915, signed into effect by President Eisenhower on August 2, 1955.
Can we blow it off? Not if you receive federal education funding. In 2004 Senator Byrd of West Virginia got the bill amended to require schools who receive federal monies to teach about the Constitution on Constitution Day.
Is there any place I can search to find EVEN MORE information about Constitution Day. Yep. Right here .

Don't forget to add any information links on this topic that you have. All the phlegmatic detail people will love you for it.

5 Things The Media is Wrong About

2010-09-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

This post is for my fellow Phlegmatics, and Melancholies out there.

When we watch or listen to the news we accept that bad news is what is reported. In fact, we have come to a peace with that.

However, that which we have not, nay never shall, come to accept is laziness on the part of the news providers giving us wrong information. This is especially the case when it comes to softer news, or local interest pieces.

Here are some of our pet peeves.

Chipotle - It's "chee-POHT-lay" not "chip-ole-tee".
Soduko - It's "soo-doe-koo".
Espresso - It's "ess-press-o" there's no x.
Meme - It rhymes with team.
Gyro - It's "yeer-oh" don't pronounce the G.

Thank you. I feel much better now.

How Do You Relate?

2010-08-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

I found this survey on David Brown's site. He doesn't publish anymore but there are some nuggets there.

According to David......

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept at many of
the major corporations today. It helps them get a better insight
concerning their employees and potential employees.

It's only 10 simple questions, so...

Grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers.
Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total.
When you are finished, forward this to everyone you know, and also
send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR
score in the subject box.

Ready?? Begin...

1. When do you feel your best?

    (a) in the morning

    (b) during the afternoon & early evening

    (c) late at night

2. You usually walk

    (a) fairly fast, with long steps

    (b) fairly fast, with short, quick steps

    (c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

    (d) less fast, head down

    (e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you

    (a) stand with your arms folded

    (b) have your hands clasped

    (c) have one or both your hands on your hips

    (d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

    (e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your
    hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with

    (a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by
    side

    (b) your legs crossed

    (c) your legs stretched out or straight

    (d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with

    (a) a big, appreciative laugh

    (b) a laugh, but not a loud one

    (c) a quiet chuckle

    (d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you..

    (a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

    (b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you
    know

    (c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay
    unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're
interrupted. Do you..

    (a) welcome the break

    (b) feel extremely irritated

    (c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

    (a) red or orange

    (b) black

    (c) yellow or light blue

    (d) green

    (e) dark blue or purple

    (f) white

    (g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments
before going to sleep, you lie

    (a) stretched out on your back

    (b) stretched out face down on your stomach

    (c) on your side, slightly curled

    (d) with your head on one arm

    (e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are

    (a) falling

    (b) fighting or struggling

    (c) searching for something or somebody

    (d) flying or floating

    (e) you usually have dreamless sleep

    (f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1

10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS:

Others see you as someone they should "handle with care" You're
seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others
may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't
always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with
you.

51 TO 60 POINTS:

Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive
personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions,
though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and
adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who
takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your
company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS:

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and
always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of
attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their
head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding;
someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS:

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They
see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest... Not a person
who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's
extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same
loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it
takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that
it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever
broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS:

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very
cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really
surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur
of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from
every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this
reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS:

People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who
needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the
decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or
anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that
don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know
you well know that you aren't.

What say you? Does your temperament match your results?

The Four Types Of Truth

2010-08-26T08:15:00.003-05:00

Almost everything on Elemental Truths is a creation of my on undertaking. But, some things are too "good" not to share. I've had this article for so long that I have lost my references on who gave it to me. Read it and decide if it resonates or frightens you.

In 1995, The UN established a committee to discover the underlying reasons behind events that occurred in Bosnia and South African apartheid. The committee became known as the TRC or Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

Amidst their voluminous 1999-2000 report was a new categorization and/or redefinition of “truth”. They presented four types of truth as:

1. Forensic Truth - What happened to whom, where, when, and how, and who
____was involved. Basically the TRC tried to define this truth along the lines of
____the United States justice phraseology of “the truth, the whole truth, and
____nothing but the truth.” But a certain leniency was applied to this definition
____because of the elusive nature of a truth not confined to the “strictures of
____science”
2. Personal or Narrative Truth - This is truth of personal recollection and
____memory. In the words of the TRC, “Memories of pain, however flawed with
____forgetting, indelibly scar the victims of unjust suffering inflicted by agents of
____the state...””Personal stories are not the whole of truth, but they are integral
____to the truth that leads to new justice.”
3. Social Truth - TRC jurist Albie Sachs defines this as “The truth of experience
____that is established through interaction, discussion and debate. Another
____member of the committee, Alex Boraine states, “the process of dialogue
____(among South African apartheid victims) involved transparency, democracy,
____and the participation as the basis of affirming human dignity and integrity”.
____Simply put when a number of stories of a given society are told publicly,
____together they form a “social” truth, or more aptly put, a “societal” truth.
4. Reconciliatory or “Healing” Truth - Also called “Public Truth” is the
____exposing of the past events in order to raise a public awareness of atrocity
____and to elicit a “never again” position toward such atrocity resulting in a
____“healed” or “reconciled” society.

Alex Boraine, in his book “A Country Unmasked: Inside South Africa’s Truth and
____Reconciliation Commission”, further expounds on the “truth” findings of this
____commission. Much of this is re-digested in an article by the blogger Andrew
____Bernardin in a blog entry entitled “Four Types”

____1. Personal Truth - This is rehashed “subjective truth” that has been made
________popular by “Dr. Phil” the daytime talk show psychologist.
____2. Social Truth - Similar if not identical to the TRC version of “social truth”
________llisted above
____3. Human Truth - An odd categorization or “type” of truth, but is defined by
________Bernardin as pertaining to the universal dispositions and abilities of the
________Homo Sapien species. He lists sexual preferences and dominance
________hierarchies (i.e. the belief in a Deity)as indicators of truth relative to the
________human race.
____4. Universal Truth - Mostly akin to “forensic truth” listed by the TRC above.
________It is basically the retreat of those that once adhered to the idea that
________“all truth is relative”. The relativists realized that their very statement of
________truth was itself “absolute” and therefore, was self-defeating as “relative”
________or “subjective” and therefore, unnecessary for anyone to accept.

The following two points basically summarize the entire TRC redefinition of truth:
________Point One: Only certain truths are objective and/or absolute but they,
________the authors, are the ones who will define which truths are subjective
________or objective and absolute or relative, and not the reader.
________The second point these “four truths” make is that MOST “truth” is
________relative and therefore, only applies to an individual, society, or a species.

To get to the bottom of “truth”, Dr. Kenneth Hochstetter has kindly contributed an article that explains the basic building blocks of truth that will enable the reader to understand how to approach the topic of truth, and more importantly, how to engage in the exciting pursuit of truth in itself.

What is truth?
by Dr. Kenneth Hochstetter, Contributing Author

To this general and somewhat obscure question, one often receives a variety of quite obscure answers. Such answers include, “Truth is Love,” “Truth is relative,” “Truth is in the eyes of the beholder,” “God is truth,” Science is truth,” “There is no truth.”

What should we make of these answers, or even the original question itself? One doesn’t know quite what to say. Perhaps the reason why we get such a diverse and obscure set of answers is that the original question is itself too general and obscure. Let’s make it more precise.

What is it for a claim to be true? That is, what makes a claim true? Before considering possible answers, let’s make sure we are clear about what is being asked. Towards this end, let’s back up a bit. We use sentences (spoken or written) to make claims. However, we also use sentences for other expressions.

We use sentences to:
____(i) Make a claim (e.g., the Earth revolves around the sun)
____(ii) Ask a question (e.g., What time is it?)
____(iii) Give a command (e.g., Close the door!)
____(iv) utter an exclamation (e.g., yippy!)
____(v) to greet or say goodbye to someone (e.g., hello).

The first step towards clarifying our question, then, is to make sure it is clear that we are discussing only sentences that make claims, not the others. One big difference between sentences that make claims and the others is that only a sentence making a claim can be true or false. The others cannot.

To see this more clearly, note how the following sentences do not make grammatical sense:
____1. It is true that what time is it?
____2. It is true that close the door!
____3. It is true that yippy!
____4. It is true that hello.

The reason is that questions, commands, exclamations and greetings have no truth-value. They are neither true nor false. Truth and falsehood simply do not apply. On the other hand, claims do have truth-value; i.e., they are either true or false. Consider, for example, that the following makes perfect sense.

____5. It is true that the Earth revolves around the sun.

Also, notice that beliefs are very much like claims. While beliefs are “in” one’s mind and claims are not, they have similarities which are important for our purposes. First, they are both about something. My claim that

____6. Utah is in the United States is about the location of Utah. Likewise my belief that
____7. Iran is a threat to its neighbors is about Iran’s relationship to its neighboring countries.

Not only are both claims and beliefs about something, each “expresses” that something is the case. Notice that (6) expresses that Utah has a certain location, and that (7) “expresses” (perhaps ‘holds’ would be a better way to put it here) that Iran stands in a certain negative relationship to its neighbors. Given these similarity between claims and beliefs, we can say that beliefs, just like claims, are either true or false.
Ok, now that we have clarified, let’s consider some possible answers to our question. Here again is our question: What makes a claim (belief) true?
As a first attempt to answer this question, someone may offer this:

____8. What makes a claim (belief) true is that most people believe it.

This answer might initially seem to have a lot going for it. After all, how could a majority of us be wrong. The evidence, however, tells us that this is not right. There are countless cases in which a majority of people believed something, but were mistaken. Here is just one example. Prior to Galileo nearly everyone believed that the Earth was the center of the solar system, and that the sun, moon, planets, and stars revolved around the Earth. So, 1,500 years ago nearly everyone (if not everyone) believed and claimed that

____9. The Earth is the center of the solar system.

However, we now have very good evidence that they were wrong. That is, we now know that (9) is false. So, the mere fact that a majority of people claim or believe something cannot be what makes it true. Ok, perhaps what makes something true is that there is evidence for it. So, perhaps the following is the right answer:

____10. What makes a claim (belief) a true is that we have evidence for it.

This is certainly better than (8). After all, having evidence of something is how we know, at least in part, that something is true. While this is a good attempt, unfortunately it won’t due either. The reason is that we often have evidence for a false claim. Here is an example. Suppose that Sam commits a crime – he murders his neighbor Fred. However, suppose that Sam is very crafty. He has carefully studied the work of crime scene investigation and has learned how to cover his tracks and make it look like someone else did it. So, he does just this. Sam leaves evidence that his other neighbor Jim murdered Fred. So, when the detectives and crime scene investigators show up, and gather all the evidence, they conclude that it was Jim who murdered Fred, because the evidence supports that. That is, they have evidence, let’s even suppose good evidence, for

____11. Jim murdered Fred.

In spite of the evidence, we know that (11) is false. While the above story was fictional, we know that there are actual cases where this occurs. We also know that it happens in the sciences. Consider (9) again:

________9. The Earth is the center of the solar system.

Not only did most (all) believe this at one time, but astronomers had good evidence that it was true. This is one reason why it was hard for Copernicus and Galileo to get scientists to accept that it was false. Ok, perhaps what makes a claim true is that it is impossible to prove it false. So, we have

____12. What makes a claim (belief) true is that it is impossible to prove it false.

While it is true that if it is impossible to prove a claim false then it is probably true, this seems too strong. After all, there are some claims, which while they are in fact true, they could have been false, and had they been false then we would be able to prove them false. For example, it is actually true that Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States. However, it is possible that he wasn’t. American voters could have given a majority vote to John McCain instead. Had they done so, then Obama would not have been elected to be the 44th president of the United States. So, while

____13. Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States.

is actually true, it could have been false. And, had it been false, then surely we would have been able to prove it to be false. So, since (13) is possibly false, and is such that had it been false we would be able to prove it to be false, it follows that it is possible to prove (13) false, even though it is actually true. Therefore, (12) above is too strong. Someone may be led to conclude from all of this that there isn’t anything that makes a claim (belief) true. They may think that either there is no such thing as a true claim, or that while there are true claims, there is nothing that makes them true. The first suggestion, that

____14. There is no such thing as a true claim,

won’t work. The reason is that (14) itself is a claim. Thus, if what it says is true, then (14) cannot be true. That is, (14) is true only if it is false. This is clearly incoherent. So, we don’t want to go to the extreme of saying that there are no true claims or beliefs. But, the suggestion that there are true claims, but nothing that makes them true seems too strong as well. Surely what makes “Utah is in the United States” true is that Utah really is in the United States. The last point leads us to what we take to be the answer to our question. We propose that what makes

____15. Utah is in the United States.

true are the conditions of the world – namely the state of affairs of Utah actually being located in the United States. We can generalize from here. We propose the following generalization.

____16. What makes a claim (or belief) C is true is that C corresponds with the actual world.

This theory did not originate with us. It goes back at least to the ancient Greek philosophers. It is known as the Correspondence Theory of Truth (or CTT for short).
There are a few important points that must be mentioned about CTT. First, it truly is general. It covers claims or beliefs about anything. For example, we make claims and have beliefs about the concrete physical world. E.g., we believe and claim that

____17. Water is composed of H2O.

People also make claims and have beliefs about the concrete non-physical world. E.g., many believe and claim that

____18. God (of Christianity) exists.

And, we make claims and have beliefs about countless other matters. Here are just a few more. We claim and believe that ‘2 + 2 = 4’, that ‘murder is wrong’, that ‘Santa Claus is jolly’, etc. CTT covers all of these. In each case, what makes the claim or belief true is the condition of the world. If the world contains the corresponding appropriate states of affairs, then the claim is true. It is false otherwise.
As a last point, it is worth elaborating on what we mean by ‘actual world’. First, by ‘actual world’ we do not mean ‘Earth’. Unless Earth and its inhabitants is all that exists, the actual world includes far more than Earth. Second, ‘world’ does not refer to our collective beliefs. While our beliefs are members of the world, the world includes far more than our beliefs, unless all that exists is our beliefs. Instead by ‘actual world’ we mean the sum total of all the states of affairs that exist. And, it may well be the case that the actual world contains a variety of different types of facts. That is, there could very well be concrete and/or abstract states of affairs, as well as physical and/or non-physical states of affairs.

Of course one may ask:

____19. Who’s to decide which states of affairs exist (i.e., what states of affairs does the world contain)?

If (19) is intended to be taken literally, then the answer varies. For some states of affairs, no one decides that they exist – they just do (e.g., that 2+2=4). For others, perhaps God created them. Still for others, some human created them. However, perhaps the question really means:

____20. How do we know which states of affairs the world contains?

The answer to this is difficult to give. Fortunately we do not have to answer it in order to say what it is for a claim or belief to be true. But, we can say that, like states of affairs, which states of affairs are members of the actual world is, for the most part, independent of what we think or believe or claim. Though, of course, one’s belief itself is dependent upon one believing it. So, of course, mental states of affairs are dependent upon each individual that has them for their existence. But, states of affairs that are not mental do not depend for their existence upon what anyone thinks, believes, or claims.

In sum, the actual world contains all the objects and states of affairs that exist. A claim is true only if it corresponds to the actual world. This makes truth objective and discoverable. It makes science, philosophy, and religion worthy investigations

Temperament and Student Seating Arrangements

2010-08-26T08:11:00.001-05:00

In December of 2005 I began an experiment designed to provide a resource for those interested in utilizing temperament (the essence of a persons being) to better guide, teach, work with, supervise and relate to other people. The information was well and widely received. However, technical difficulties led to the cease of publications and electronically archived material. This new location is my attempt to reconstruct the work from my notes and recollections. I hope you find it useful.

The following is a recreation of one of the first and most well received articles.

Upon entering most modern elementary classrooms your initial visual and auditory image may be that you have happened upon a collection of randomly scattered islands. The populations of these islands seem to be desperately competing with each other and with the other island inhabitants for the opportunity to be heard. And, oddly, the topics upon which they wish to be heard about seem to have no commonality of subject.

Moving between and among these “islands” is the classroom teacher, who appears nothing so much as a messenger poling a sampan between the warring peoples in an effort to mollify and maintain some small semblance of positive direction among the populace.

For one with a mind who seeks an efficient purposeful order, it can be a disconcerting experience, to say the least.

How this arrangement came to be and other possible arrangements is the topic of this article.

Although I know of no definitive statement that such is true, it appears that original arrangement of student seating in this country may have had to do with the necessity of utilizing the natural light which came in through the large side windows of early schools. Therefore, the logical solution was to place the desks in rows to each side of the room to best capitalize on the available natural light.

For many years this continued to be the norm. Even after the introduction of artificial lighting (i.e. electricity) to the schools and classrooms this layout continued to serve well.

Then, somewhere around the early 1900’s John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer arrived on the scene. For Dewey, it was vitally important that education not be the teaching of fact, but that the skills and knowledge which students learned be integrated fully into their lives as persons, citizens and human beings.

Others soon expounded upon his beliefs to postulate that since students had, in the past, been instructed in rote memorization of facts in desks in rows that the desks and rows must be changed as well as the curriculum. It seems like an odd stretch of logic, I know, but still it was the case.

So, out with the neatly ordered columns and rows of desks and in with just about any other classroom configuration you can imagine.

Eventually, in elementary school, this evolved into the island formation described above. Keep in mind that this formation is not universally in place beyond elementary classrooms. By and large, most middle schools, high schools and institutions of higher learning have maintained the column and row configuration, ostensibly for the sake of efficiency and effectiveness.

To date, the three most common models you will encounter are the row and column model, the island model and the horseshoe or double horseshoe model. However, coming onto the scene is another known as the work/learning station/center model.

First, the most familiar of the three, is the row and column model which is illustrated as follows:

The largest complaint with this model was that the teacher (represented by the larger box) by nature of the model, spent more time interacting with the students in the front rows and the rows down the middle. Therefore, those students achieved at a higher level than the remainder of the class.

This model is the favorite of the order and structure loving student. That temperament appreciates and enjoys the predictability and dependability of this model as it lends itself to the success of the auditory learner who seeks out the seat which provides the best position to hear and observe the instructor. These students are auditory learners and prefer to work independently. They often find more relaxed environments to be distracting and even to detract from the content.

The second model examined is that of the island model.

The problems reported with this model include increased off task behavior, increased noise level in the classroom, decreased productivity as far as the amount of work completed by the students and a large increase in the number of disciplinary and behavior related incidents. However, there was a heightened level of communication among the students.

Students identified as sanguine, or highly social prefer this seating as it provides opportunity for interaction. Down sides of this model area increased off task behavior and room volume. It is useful for group projects.

The third model is that known as the horseshoe or double horseshoe.

The horseshoe model is a favorite when both student-student and student-teacher interaction are important to the learning in the class. The model is also conducive to situations in which the teacher is required to work with students closely both as individuals and as members of a group. This is especially effective if the students sit facing the teacher during initial instruction then the innermost “horseshoe” members move their desks together with the two members of the outer horseshoe during group work.

Initially, this might appear to be a great loss of time during the movements of the desks. However, studies indicate (Hurt, Scott, and McCroskey) a span of less than 90 seconds for the needed adjustments.

The data is solid and for the most part, speaks for itself. The most efficient and effective of the three models examined is the “horseshoe” model. It yields itself equally well to teacher focused operation, which is paramount for initial instruction and it facilitates group interaction when used in the cooperative learning configuration.

The model typically results in higher performance on the part of the students as well as lowering the incidents of behavior related difficulties in the classroom. Most temperament types do well with this model.

The final configuration is the work station model. In this arrange the perimeter of the room is arranged as work stations. In center of the room is devoted to tables or rows for initial and reinforcement instruction. After the teacher introduces and models the content students disperse to the work stations to complete the learning activities. At the end of the learning experience the students return to the central area for recap and enhancement.

Relaxation Technique: Labyrinths

2007-07-24T15:44:00.001-05:00

Labyrinths have been a part of human culture for more than 4000 years. The earliest recorded labyrinth was located in King Nesters’ palace Pylos about 1200 BC. Nearly every developing culture in the world from Native Americans to the Greeks to Celtic clans has built them.

Although, there are many designs the most common you find today is the seven circuit type. As you walk a seven circuit labyrinth you will find yourself making a 180 degree turn each time you enter a new segment. As you change your direction, you often change your thought patterns. This is one reason it helps to dissipate your stress levels.

You have to wonder if this is why Disney chooses to put you through a 180 degree turn every 25 feet you walk in line.

Harvard Medical School research has indicated walking meditations connected with labyrinths are effective at reducing anxiety. This effect has long term health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and breathing rates as well as reducing incidents of chronic pain and alleviating insomnia. In fact, most forms of meditation lead to improved concentration and a heightened sense of self control.

Follow this link to the World Wide Labyrinth Locator.

Relaxation Technique: Qigong

2007-07-23T18:33:00.000-05:00

Heal the body, calm the mind, and reconnect with the spirit.

One: Choose a specific Qigong exercise to practice. There are many different forms and each one has its own particular benefits.

My favorite has to do with placing my arms around a very large imaginary ball which is at chest height in front of me. Although, you may do this in a seated position I prefer to stand with my knees slightly bent and my feet a little more than shoulder width apart. From this position I move the imaginary ball in a circular orbit in front of me. Then I move it to each side and behind my head as far as I can reach in each respective direction. But as I say, you must find the exercise that works best for you.

Two: Clear your mind. You must be open and receptive to achieve the results you seek.

Three: Fully fill and empty your lungs when breathing. Form is not important here. Natural even rhythm is.

Four: Visualize yourself physically releasing your tensions in paper form and watch them flutter away.

Five: Complete each movement deliberately but in a relaxed manner.

Six: Be aware of each bend and twist and the sensation it brings.

Seven: Visualize yourself relaxed, well rested and ready for any challenge.

Eight: Alternately visualize your healing energy being directed to different parts of your body, giving particular attention to tight shoulders or pinched necks.

Nine: Feel the way each breath dispenses energy bringing oxygen to the portions of your body you concentrate on.

Ten: Don’t stress it. Enjoy the exercise and don’t worry too much about form.

For me, the best things about Qigong are that no equipment is required and I don't have to go to a gym to do it.

Relaxation Techniques: Hot Springs

2007-07-23T12:47:00.000-05:00

If you are in search of inner peace and tranquility (and who among us isn't?) I am compiling a few suggestions for your benefit. It is important to consider each of the techniques to find one that best matches your underlying temperament. First, I will explore hot springs.

Hot Springs

By the time the first European settlers arrived in what is now West Virginia in the early 1740’s the Native Americans had been taking advantage of the warm mineral springs there (Berkeley Springs) for centuries. These peoples prized the springs for their healing and regenerative powers. The springs were so prized that the area was designated a neutral zone so that no one tribe could monopolize its benefits.

If you are of a temperament that is able to spend extended periods in pressure situations with only and occasional retreat to process and relax, yet are able to graphically recall the rejuvenation in the interim, this may be the ideal relaxation strategy for you.

There are many excellent springs of this type throughout the United States.

This link will take you to a site that lists all the hot springs registered by the US Geological Service, alphabetically by state.

Irresponsible Interaction at Work

2007-07-05T07:02:00.000-05:00

Why is there so much irresponsible behavior and interaction at work?

We have become a sedentary race. Our greatest resource, our creative minds, have become the avenue for much of our down fall. We are so keen in our problem solving and "better mouse trap" abilities that it is possible to spend the entirety of our work day without moving from our computer workstation.

The return swing of the pendulum is a large portion of our population going quite mad at the lack of physical activity. Human beings have an in born underlying need to move, to touch and handle things and to express themselves physically.

When these urges can no longer be suppressed we categorize people as attention deficit, hyper active and unfocused. At this point they are a distraction and the positive flow of energy in the work place is severely disrupted for all.

What preventative steps can avoid this issue?

1. Movement is a must. Require staff members to take their breaks away from their work station, and on another floor if possible. The movement diffuses anxiety and aids in heightened focus when the break is over.

2. Initiate a walking program. Provide incentives for staff who devote a portion of their lunch break to a measured walking goal. Incentives might include extra lunch break time, early release coupons, even cash incentives pay themselves back in long term benefits to the group.

3. Encourage shared interest groups. Before and after work runner clubs are excellent ways to burn off pent up energies.

What if you take the preventive steps and the disruptions still occur?

1. Remove Distractions. On the surface it may seem counter to the preventative strategies listed above. But closer examination will illuminate the difference. In the preventative steps the person is carrying out the activities, thus it is internal. In this step external stimulation (i.e. distraction is removed).

2. Interval Intensity. Channel high energy people into the most focused activities. This is somewhat like the interval training done by premier athletes in which burst of intense action on alternated with a slower pace.

3. Buffer Zones. High energy people can become anxious and distracting when they complete work ahead of schedule. Provide "Buffer Zones" which are those ongoing projects that must be maintained on an ongoing basis. Professional development plans always need tweaking, client support activities, and project management calendars are always in need of update and revision.

Providing the individuals the opportunity to choose the most productive path, accompanied with redirection and restructuring are the best techniques for this temperament.

Temper Outburst At Work

2007-06-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever witnessed an adult temper tantrum? It can be an embarrassing experience. Even so, it is becoming an ever more frequent occurrence, and for good (bad?) reason.

Reason One: The age of automation has removed from us the necessity of the more mundane tasks. We don't go to the mail room for our messages, they arrive via email on our computer screens; We don't get together to discus calendars, we share our Outlook files. The point being, with the extra time we are harvesting, we place ever greater demands on ourselves to be even more productive. The pressure for ever greater productivity will eventually create an overwhelm which may trigger an out burst of temper.

Reason Two: Psychological Neoteny (Peter Pan Syndrome) as we continue on with an ever greater need for education we assume the characteristics of one who is being educated, namely a child. Since children have little or no control or input into the daily operations of their lives they occasionally have out bursts of temper. Adults, under the same circumstances demonstrate similar behaviors.

Reason Three: Not every bully stayed on the school yard. You may think that bullying is something that ended with 3rd grade or at the latest in high-school or maybe even with college hazing. But, it hasn't. Bullying, as demonstrated by angry people (covertly or overtly) is an ongoing phenomenon.

So, how do you deal with it? First and foremost, if you are the supervisor you must take steps to insure the individuals receiving the brunt of the temper outbursts are having their rights and safety protected.

Key elements to remember:

Individuals equipped with the tools to handle anger and frustration are less disruptive and hostile.

Individuals who are permitted to express displeasure and disagreement in an appropriate manner are less likely to be disruptively hostile and angry.

What preventative steps can you take with an individual who may have difficulty with anger?

Segment their work load. Shifting focus regularly from one task to another is a good tool to alleviating frustration.

Coach them in positive ways of expressing their disagreement. "I understand what you are saying, I don't happen to agree..."

Take steps to maintain a friendly work environment. Create opportunities for group work on some projects. Encourage moderate personalization of work areas. Provide a clear and easy to use employee handbook.

What proactive response steps can you take when difficulty arises?

Isolate and Elaborate. When you have observed a temper outburst, take the person aside and draw them out. Likely the incident that ignited the outburst had very little to do with the underlying cause of the outburst. Don't be afraid of silence. Once you ask for an elaboration be prepared to be quiet and wait. It often takes time for a person to work through emotion to the cause of disturbance.

Distraction. The human brain can only hold on to so many concepts at the same time. Adults will often respond to something like, "I see this has very really worked up right now. Instead of beating our heads against this wall, let's change focus and work on..."

Remote Outpost. Sometimes it is simpler to just temporarily assign the angry person a task at a different location. Often removal from the stimulation for the anger will allow the anger time to dissipate.

Humor. If we work in an environment where humor is part of our daily norm, anger has difficulty maintaining a foothold. One sign of a healthy productive work environment is the encouragement of the "we don't take ourselves too seriously" attitude. If we have the ability to laugh at ourselves and our situation we have an excellent tool to deal with anger.

Our responses to disruption will be haphazard if we don't have a plan in place. This plan is severely limited if it does not take into account the perspective of the individual creating the disruption. This article should help you develop consistent and practical solutions.

Hiding from Challenges at Work

2007-06-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Accommodating those who shirk their responsibilities can create a dysfunctional work environment even for those who fulfill their responsibilities. Conduct such as tardiness, absenteeism, and insubordination can become common place if left unchecked.

Unfortunately, standard interventions (threats, negotiations, cajoling, pleading) are universally ineffective. The tremendous experience involved in firing the current staff member, replacing them and retraining a new staff member is equally undesirable.

The ultimate cause of this behavior is almost never examined. Thus a completely a salvageable, and potentially valuable, team member is lost from his path.

The key is to understand that the vast majority of this problem is due to the intense fear the person has of failure.

The problem is exacerbated when the temperament of the person has a low need for control. Controlling a situation is a terrifying responsibility to someone who fears failure. A productive team member can be rendered completely ineffective if forced into assuming more control than they feel ready to take on. It doesn't matter that you are completely certain of their ability; their own self doubt overwhelms them.

Here are some tailored strategies for keeping this person performing, contributing and growing.

Team Work. Pair this person with someone who is a natural risk take. The two temperaments will compliment each other beautifully.

Raise Them Up. When you see them beginning to falter and riddle themselves with self doubt take a few minutes to acknowledge the excellent job that have just completed.

Sew The Seed. Take every opportunity they present to acknowledge them for presenting a positive comment. This will encourage the positive behavior to take root more deeply and begin to replicate itself. Promote their optimism every time they offer it.

Confidential Counsel. If one of their projects is not up to an acceptable standard, make sure to provide their structured feedback in private. Take care to emphasize the positive aspects of the work to build upon, rather than condemning that which is not up to standard.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Those who know they can be successful don't avoid performing.

Showing Off at Work

2007-06-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

If you are a leader for very long, you can expect to have at least one individual under your guidance that is ever seeking attention. Rather than being intentionally difficult these individuals have a strong need for validation. Unfortunately, this may bring them to your door on a too frequent basis as they constantly seek out your blessing.

Your first instinct is to provide the attention. For some, this is a fine way to nudge them back on to their path. They will take the validation as a sign of confidence and run with it.

On the other hand, some will become addicted to your praise and seek it ever more often. Not only will this interrupt with your ability to perform but it will be an enablement of their mal-adaptive needy behavior.

As you can see, each individual requires a customized approach to boost them along on their path. That being said, there are strategies that you can employ as a preventative measure to keep breakdowns from occurring.

Extinction. If you simple choose not to acknowledge the cries for attention, you are not supplying the attention the behavior is designed to create. However, like any war or attrition this can be a lengthy process.

Sphere of Influence. A simple preventative measure is to insure that you are in close proximity to the individual several times a day. This presence of the alpha leader will sooth the need for attention. Once a sense of security is established you can begin shortening the time you are nearby and abbreviating the frequency as well. Remember, it is paramount that you take gender into consideration. You do not wish your interventions to be misconstrued.

Strong Welcome. Being certain that you make a deliberate and sincere welcome to the individual on a daily basis can go for to assuage their need for attention.

Physical Contact. Appropriate physical contact is one of the most powerful techniques for building confidence and thereby independence in others. Consider a warm handshake or a supportive pat on the back. Again you must consider gender and temperament. Many persons are extremely uncomfortable with physical contact while others thrive on it. You must know your team.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Most behavior is learned, and can therefor be unlearned or replaced with a more productive behavior.

Dificult People at Work.

Top Blogging Secrets

2007-06-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

There are a few things that the blogs that regularly show up in the Technorati top 100 have in common. All are producing content on a regular basis, have a broad range of topics and are well written in the sense of conventions and structure.

Most are using specially designed or highly modified software to provide their product. The majority offer trackback, commenting and categorization features. They are highly stylized and reflect the persona of the content provided.

Some of the top format providers are Movable Type, Wordpress, TypePad, Blogger, and MySpace. Most of the top dogs offer options to monetize your blog with advertising features. The most popular of the advertising providers is Google Adsense.

Far and away the most popular language for blogs is English. However, Japanese and Chinese are fairly well represented as well.

The most popular topic for blogging is (drum roll) blogging and technology. What a shock. The genres in descending order are:

Technology (blogging included) 21%
General 20%
Politics 19%
Personal 9%
Gossip 8%
News 6%
Other 17%

When you look at layout, the most popular color among the top blogs is white. Yep, plain old, simple white. Grey follows white in popularity but is about half as popular as white. Next comes blue, then pink (yes, pink) then black, the beige and finally green.

What about typeface? Well, since you ask. The most popular typeface is verdana, followed by arial, followed by Georgia, followed by trebuchet, and finally times.

So, (everyone in lockstep now) change your template to Movable Type in English about technology on a nice white background with a Verana typeface. Quckly! Mach Schnell!

You there, Rosa Say. Stop being a successful individual and get in line!

Trends in Internet Use

2007-06-11T13:47:00.000-05:00

After exploring the “who” of Internet users, it is a worthwhile pursuit to examine the “what.” As in, what are all those folks doing on the Internet anyway?

There is a lot of data on this topic, so I’m just going to list the larger percentages.

First let’s look at the base number. 141,000,000 people (yes, 141 million) Americans use the internet. That is approximately 70% of the American population. How’s that for a customer base?

91% are using Email and search engines.
39% are sending IM’s
84% are “Map Questing” or using other driving direction engines.
73% travel information
63% making travel reservations
54% phone numbers and addresses
79% are seeking medical and health information.
58% seeking specific medical support
78% are doing pre-purchase product research and checking the weather.
77% are hobby and special interest folks.*
62% are surfing “just for fun”
56% are watching video and listening to audio
42% are downloading games, pictures, videos
71% are making online purchases.
67% are checking the news sources.*
54% politics and political campaigns.*
45% sports scores *
66% are using government websites.
57% are doing research for school or training.
50% research for work.
46% seeking work
55% are looking for “How To” information.*
45% are researching a school to attend.
43% are banking
41% are gathering financial information.
39% are looking for a place to live.
39% are reading blog content. *
30% are Craig’s List (etcetera) users. *
30% are seeking counsel or guidance *
13% are visiting adult websites. *

Those items I’ve noted with an asterisk (*) are those more open to monetizing. Many of the publishers of these genres have offered direct advertising on their sites, or have had success with advertising brokers like Ad Sense.

So, if these are the major areas Internet users are using, what are the top blog trends that are capitalizing on these phenomena?

Can you guess what to topic of tomorrow’s post will be?

Secret Internet Demographic Revealed

2007-06-11T07:42:00.000-05:00

What would you pay to know the secret demographic of Internet users?

What would it be worth to you to know the total percentage of adults who use the Internet?

What if you know what percentage of Internet users are female?

What if you knew what percentage of Internet users are between the ages of 18 and 49?

Could you design your content to meet the interests of your readers if you knew their ethnicity and level of education?

Drag out the ole checkbook, I'm about to unveil the secrets!

Well, not really. I mean, I'm really going to reveal them but they really aren't secrets.

What I actually have is the Pew Internet & American Life Project report for November 30 through December 30, 2006 Tracking Survey (oh yeah, we're being tracked).

Here is a break down of the data into a form that I could use best. I hope you can use it too. Disclaimer, as with much of my work, this relates to North America. My friends in other areas will have to draw conclusions based on your demographics.

70 % of all adults use the Internet
69% of adult women use the Internet
71% of adult males use the Internet

83% of people 18-29 use the Internet
83% of people 30-49 use the Internet
70% of people 50-64 use the Internet
33% of people 65 and older use the Internet

72% of whites use the Internet
58% of blacks use the Internet
69% of Hispanics use the Internet

49% of those who earn less than $30,000 use the Internet
75% of those earning $30,000 to $49,999 use the Internet
90% of those earning $50,000 to $74,999 use the Internet
93% of those earning $75,000 and up use the Internet

36% of those with less than a high school diploma use the Internet
59% of those with a high school diploma use the Internet
84% of those with "some college" use the Internet
91% of those with a college diploma use the Internet

Those are some pretty enlightening statistics. If you were to build a map (yes, maps again) you could visualize each of the major demographics by assigning them to a geographic area. Then you could design content to meet the needs of that area population.

Let's say you were going to make a conscious effort to write content tweaked to interest the highest percentage of each group. You would be writing for white males, between the ages of 18 and 49, with a college degree and an income greater than $75,000 per year.

Basically, you would be writing about beer, sports, sex, cars and mixed martial arts. Basically, Spike TV for the Internet.

Unfortunately, as experts like Ted Demopoulos will tell you, that is just too broad an audience. There are too many fishermen with their hooks set for that fish. You have a better chance for success if you seek out a niche in one demographic to target.

Would you like to know what the identified groups are using the Internet for?

Can you guess what my topic will be tomorrow?

AdSense Blogging Profits

2007-06-08T12:48:00.000-05:00

Bling-Ring Flickr Creative Commons

Open field questions about AdSense profits.

1.Why does blogging about strategies to improve your AdSense profits cause your AdSense revenues to go up?

2.Does AdSense monitor your content and include higher paying advertisers if you blog about their service?

3.Does ad placement REALLY impact click through rate?

4.Does studying the AdWords system really pay off in higher profits?

5.Can you maintain credible content on your site if you pursue ad revenue strategies?

6.Final question, do you think the ads that occur in the AdSense bar on Elemental Truths really pertain to the content you read here?

I invite everyone who reads Elemental Truths to comment on this post. Even if you don't use these products I'd like to know your opinion.

Building A Logistical Analysis of Your Business

2007-06-01T09:40:00.000-05:00

"Plans" creative commons Flickr

In May of 2006 I wrote an article designed to help business owners visualize their business. "The Battlefield Map as a Communication Tool" is a popular landing zone at Elemental Truths. By converting the logistics of your business into visual elements on a map, more meaning can be drawn from the results.

Here are the "how to" mechanics of how to build your battle plan.

1. Make a Map!

There are some excellent pieces of architectural software out there that you can pick up for very little expense. Drop by your local hardware store for the Broderbund 3D Home Architect. Or, grab a pad of graph paper and do it old school.

How ever you decide to build your map, laminate it or place it in a sheet protector because you will need several copies and you want to make sure you are working from the same base each time.

2. Chart the communication.

The "if I needs."
a. If I need a record I see...
b. If I need merchandise I see...
c. If I need to make a purchase I see...
d. If I need a client file I see...
e. If I need financial data I see...
f. If I need growth projections I see...
g. If I need information on a product I see...

Guess what? If the answer to more than 7 of those questions is you, you need to restructure your work load. This is especially true if you are the core resource of your business. If the only time your business is making money is when you, yourself are conducting operations, every hour you spend on items a-g is an hour your not bringing in revenue. If nothing else, consider some part time office support or even out sourcing some of the mundane tasks.

Use colored ink to draw a line between you and the people you speak to more than 5 times in a day. Clients should be receiving the majority of your connections.

3. Time investment.

Write in the number of minutes you spend at each location of your map.

You may find a disturbing amount of time lost at your computer doing things like answering emails. Again, think office support and outsourcing.

4. Hot Spots.

Any time there is an altercation or disruption in your organization chart it on your map.

a. Who was involved?
b. What exactly happened?
c. When did it occur?
d. Where, did it happen?
e. Why did it happen?
f. How can it be corrected to avoid a future occurrence.

5. Faces in the crowd.

Record the individuals who "happen to be" bystanders when problems occur. If you see an individual is frequently a bystander when incidents occur you may be seeing more than a bystander.

Tracking patterns may not be the most exciting part of your business, but when you place the collected data in a battlefield map as indicated above it can be an invaluable visual tool.

New Periodic Table Addition "Truthium"

2007-05-30T10:29:00.000-05:00

A new element dubbed "Truthium" has been identified and is being considered for inclusion in the periodic table of chemical elements. The rare element would be included somewhere around the end of the grid of elements.

Although, extremely high in value Truthium is also an extremely volatile element. When added with other elements such as "Decorium" and "Tactium" highly useful compounds are easy to produce. The compounds have extremely positive impacts when exposed to areas of communication.

On the other hand, when combined with corrosive elements such as "Rudium" and "Brashium" the effects can be quite toxic to the receptors.

Truthium is an airborne element and is more often found in rural settings than in highly urban populations. Researchers hypothesize that this may be due to the filtration effects of many individuals speaking at one time in business environments which may tend to deplete the naturally occurring resources of Truthium.

Conversely, high concentrations of Truthium are often measured around the very young and the very elderly. This leads some researchers to postulate that something about the developmental stage of youth and the self-actualizing stage of many of the aged may in fact have a magnetic effect on Truthium.

What ever the case, Truthium is definitely a topic worthy of further study.

Elemental Value Added Truth: "Many a truth is spoken in jest" a diminutive of "Jesters do oft prove prophets". by William Shakespeare.

Web	www.elementaltruths.blogspot.com

Being the Red Sea

2007-05-22T15:37:00.000-05:00

Red Sea flickr Dead Sea flickr

If you are still and listen well even the seas are great teachers of leadership lessons.

Consider two seas in the same region. Both are ancient. Both are fed by tributaries which bring nutrients and water. But here their similarities cease.

One sea is the Red Sea. The Red Sea teams with life. From what it takes in the Red Sea nurtures the growth of some of the most life filled coral in the world. Then it shares what it receives by feeding the shores of Egypt, Saudia Arabia, Sudan, Yeman and Somalia where it empties much of its wealth into the Indian Ocean.

The other sea is the Dead Sea. The Red Sea contains no life. The Dead Sea shares nothing. It keeps everything it receives and gives of none of its wealth. So long it built up its mineral wealth that now no fish can live in it. And so, we say that it is dead.

If I can choose, and I can, I choose to be like the Red Sea. I wish to take in what I need and grow from it. But, I also want to make sure that I share as much as I can so that others may also thrive. This is what leadership is.

Elemental Value Added Truth: "There are many things we would throw away if we were not afraid other might pick them up." Oscar Wilde

The Perils of Success

2007-05-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

John Maxwell Success Seminar Flickr

How to work more efficiently!
How to work more effectively!
How to become a great leader!
How to be the backbone of your organization!
…and on…and on…

The resources to achieve this kind of success are legion. Do a search engine query and the results will be in the millions.

Positively speaking, achieving these goals will earn you the recognition and respect of the multitudes of professionals in your peer group.

But there is another aspect to achieving this kind of success, and if you are familiar with my writing you already know I have a penchant for changing lenses and looking at things from as odd an angle as I can find. So, let's take a look at how excellence can be percieved as a negaitive.

Negatively speaking, achieving these goals will earn you the recognition and respect of the multitudes of professionals in your peer group.

I know, I know. It sounds like an oxymoron. But, let’s take a moment to process this.

At the sake of being presumptuous and egocentric, I use my own experiences as an illustration. First, the set up.

Some time ago I decided to take a look at my professional development and analyze how successful I thought I was. What I discovered was, although I had all the superficial prerequisites for success (advance degrees, in field work, the appropriate skill set), I wasn’t receiving much acknowledgement for my work.

At this point I set about creating the strategies that would get me the acknowledgements I sought (promotions, more money, greater challenges, recognition as an expert).

I read the works of Dale Carnegie, John Maxwell, Rosa Say, Phil Gerbyshak and a plethora of other gurus on personal and professional development. Then I took the additional step of actually applying the techniques and strategies of these rabbinical leaders.

On the positive side, I have achieved a greater level of efficiency. I have learned to devise and implement more effective techniques. I have become recognized as the in house expert in my field. I have become one of the key players in the future direction of our department.

All of these accomplishments I credit to the giants on whose shoulders I have stood that I mentioned above.

On the negative side, the recognition of increased efficiency has led many to believe that I am capable of unlimited volumes of work without a loss of quality. I am not.

Recognition of the effectiveness of the strategies and tools I employ has led my supervisors to conclude that I should be able to address the most difficult of circumstances with ready success. I can not.

Recognition of motivation techniques in my area of expertise has led my supervisors to believe I can motivate anyone, under any circumstances. I can not.

Recognition of performance of many functions as a utility player in our organization has led my supervisors to believe I can competently perform any task within our organization. I can not.

In summation, the blame must fall upon none other than me for applying the strategies of the giants in my merely mortal realm.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Be careful what you wish for. You may get it.

8 Indicators of a Successful Blog: Blue Ribbon Blogging

2007-05-10T06:53:00.000-05:00

What is a successful blog (aka Blue Ribbon Blogging)?

I don't want to beat a dead horse, and I have visited this topic before, it is worth at least one more look.

In many posts and articles I continue to see topics like "How to Build a Successful Blog," or "Steps to Successful Blogging." But, you rarely see a breakdown as to what constitutes a successful blog. So, let's have a go at identifying the traits of a successful blog.

"I think therefore I am." Rene Descartes. I know Descartes is known as the "Father of Modern Mathematics." But, you've got to admit he was spot on in his assessment of what it means to exist.

In fact, the essence of the statement is so powerful that it can be used across many disciplines and concepts. It is a most insightful tool to use when you evaluate whether or not you are composing a successful blog.

Let's break it down into the elemental components:

1. Does your blog maintain a stable existence?

2. Has your blog grown in the number of visits you received since your seminal post?

3. Have the number of page views increased since your seminal?

4. Have the number of links to your site increased?

5. Have the number of feed subscribers increased?

6. Have you received peer acknowledgement?

7. If you have attempted to monetize your site have you generated ANY revenue?

These are cluster indicators. Like cluster behavior indicators, you needed have all of the traits to be classified as being successful. But, you could probably safely gauge your DEGREE of success by noting the number of these components you can answer in the affirmative.

Elemental Value Added Truth: "If you are enjoying your blogging endeavor, then by definition it is a "Successful Blog." Reg Adkins

Change Your Lens

2007-05-01T15:04:00.000-05:00

I'm a firm believer that looking at an issue from another perspective is a high value added practice.

Since I have been reading the work of Rosa Say, I've enjoyed some real perspective insights.

For example, this month Rosa is focusing on the concept "Ho' omau." Here is her definition for the term.

Ho‘omau is the Hawaiian value of perseverance and persistence. To
Ho’omau is also to continue, and to perpetuate in a way that causes the good
to last. Those who ho‘omau do not give up, and they consider mistakes and
failure temporary conditions from which to learn.
Pronunciation Guide: Ho‘omau
(Hoh-oh-mow).

The themes which she will explore are:

Persistence
Resolve
Determination
Confidence
Tenacity
Grit
Resilience
Constancy
Endurance
Perseverance
Willpower
Focus
Drive

The more of Rosa's work I read the more I wonder if my grandmother was part of some lost Hawaiian West Virginia mountain clan.

Elemental Truths is still experiencing technical difficulties. I respectfully request reader patience for a bit longer.

Enterpreneur Checklist

2007-04-26T15:15:00.000-05:00

checklist image from flickr

Have you ever wondered if you have the traits of a successful entrepreneur?

Here is a quick checklist of the characteristics analyzed by over 50 studies by the Timmons group. And guess what? There are only six!

1. Commitment and determination.
2. Leadership experience.
3. Opportunity awareness.
4. Comfort in situations of risk, ambiguity and uncertainty.
5. Ability to adapt, improvise and overcome.
6. Driven to succeed.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Conceive, Believe, Achieve.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Bloggers

2007-04-22T07:06:00.000-05:00

Much like effective leaders, there are seven things highly effective bloggers do that separate them from ineffective bloggers. And believe it or not, being highly talented doesn't fall into the mix. If you've ever read the fable of the tortoise and the hare you're one step up on the game already. But, in case you haven't...let's make with the habits.

Habit Number One:

Highly effective bloggers take responsibility for everything on their site.

Rosa Say, of Manging with Aloha, for example recently took a step that she doesn't particularly like (enabling her comment moderation) because she had the strength to address a volatile issue which she knew might bring the inappropriate types of criticism.

Ted Demopoulos, of Blogging for Business, even went so far as to self-publish his latest book Secrets of Successful Blogging because he knew he and he alone was ultimately responsible for the content.

Assume full responsibility for everything on your site: I will respond to each and every comment made on my site in a timely manner.

Habit Number Two:

Highly effective bloggers set goals for their site.

Phil Gerbyshak, of Make it Great!, even goes so far as to set goals for the number of links he wants to achieve, the number of new bloggers he wants to meet, the number of original posts he wants to write, and the number of books he wants to read.

Set long term goals: I will add two my readership by twenty-five percent this year.

Habit Number Three:

Highly effective bloggers plan their daily activities with long term goals in mind.

Bert Webb, of Open Loops has made and excellent insight into how daily duties must be a scaffold for long term growth, lest inevitable failure result.

Build a measurable to do list focused on long term success for your blog: I will comment of 5 relevant posts on other sites today.

Habit Number Four:

Highly effective bloggers seek to add value to the lives of all their readers.

This is one most bloggers have completely nailed. You can't swing a dead search engine without hitting someone out there with a blog that has something you can use.

Here are ten great examples:
Ted Demoupolos of Blogging for Business
Phil Gerbyshak of Make it Great!
Sandy Renshaw of the Purple Wren
Kirsten Harrell of ipopin
Kammie Kobyleski of Passion Meets Purpose
Mike Sansone of Converstations
Lisa Haneberg of Management Craft
Rosa Say of Say Leadership
MT of Mind Tweaks
You of Your Site.

Pick something you are passionate about and set about sharing your passion.

Habit Number Five:

Highly effective bloggers take the time to find out as many different perspectives about an issue as they can.

When an issue is important to you, seek the elemental meaning as deeply as you can. Maintain that guiding principle as your guiding beacon.

Habit Number Six:

Highly effective bloggers collaborate with those with greater strength than their own. Again, let me refer you to Ted Demoupolos. Ted wrote and excellent book entitled, What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting. In this book Ted took the time to find over 100 bloggers to contribute their expertise. And, in keeping with number four they all did what they could (my small part included) to add value to Ted's project.

Seek out other bloggers and invite them to offer their insight into your growth. The good ones will offer some help, the great one's will offer a lot of help.

Habit Number Seven:

Highly effective bloggers take the time to build their minds and maintain their health.

Eat right.
Write your hurts in the sand.
Mental health, know your temperament.
Physical exercise .

Ps. The AdSense advertising at the top of the page keeps Elemental Truths free.

Elemental Value Added Truth: The right side of Abraham Lincoln's face was animated and normally emotionally expressive, whereas the left side functioned more weakly, looked duller and strangely out of harmony. The meaning of the duality and uncoordinated changes in his facial expression baffled everyone. Such is the essence of blogging publications.

How to Detect a Weapon

2007-04-18T18:20:00.000-05:00

image from defendertech.com

Would you like to know who is armed? Would you like to know the type of weapon they are carrying? Would you like to know where on their body the weapon is concealed?

It is unfortunate that the first indication many people have of the presence of a weapon is when it is used against them. This is especially tragic in light of the fact that persons carrying concealed weapons exhibit behaviors and characteristics that and alert and aware individual can recognize and identify.

Throughout the years I have found myself in various professions, jobs and situations in which it was necessary that I be able to detect the presence of a weapon. Some of those positions required that I undertake the unpleasant and undignified tact of executing full body strip searches. You may take me at my word when I assure you, this is not a job you would ever wish to have if you have other options available to you.

Other searches are only slightly less undignified in that they require “pat down” body searches. Be advised, the casual and superficial nature by which these searches are portrayed in the entertainment industry have only the most coincidental similarities with the actual practice. For example, the entertainment industry NEVER portrays the nauseating necessity of lifting and searching under a man’s genitals in search of a concealed weapon. Nonetheless, this is an absolutely imperative portion of the physical search.

However, there are signs which can alert you to the presence of a weapon without a physical search.

Here are some of the common signs.

Concealed hands are an indication of a concealed weapon. However, directing someone to take their hands from their pockets is tantamount to giving them permission to take a weapon from their pocket.
Folded arms which obscure the view of the hands are also an indication of a weapon.
Heavy jackets are excellent concealment for a weapon in a waistband. The waist is the most common area for carrying a concealed weapon.
Be particularly aware of extremely loose or baggy clothing especially in the weather does not warrant such attire.
Most weapons are heavy. Carrying a weapon in a jacket pocket will cause the jacket to hang lower on one side.
Again, due to weight, weapons often show in outline form on the concealing clothing.
Unusual bulges are worthy of attention.
Body language is a fair indicator of the presence of a concealed weapon.

Crossed arms.
Hands in pockets.
Hands “hovering” around the waist area.
Repeated touching of high probability areas.

Be aware of unusual gaits. Individuals with weapons concealed in the legs of their pants or in their socks often walk in a ginger manner to prevent the weapon accidentally dislodging from the place of concealment.
People who are not used to carrying concealed weapons usually behave in a very paranoid manner and often cast furtive glances all about them to see if they are being observed.

As with most behavioral indicators, the more these indicators cluster the greater the likelihood of there accuracy.

Additional areas of concern in potentially dangerous situations are related to the availability of cover and concealment.

These are important concepts for you to understand whether as a potential safe have for yourself or as a resource for dangerous individuals to exploit.

Concealment is any object that can be positioned between you and a threat that obscures your vision of that threat. Cover would add the characteristics that the obstruction has the ability to stop a fired round.

Five commonplace examples:

1. Buildings

2. Large trees

3. Fire hydrants

4. Automobiles

5. Statuary.

It is not my intent to that this writing generate fear or paranoia. I write as one is a husband and father dedicated to the safety of my family and friends. Knowledge is power.

It is important that even in these troubling topics we do not despair and remember the strength we have in each other. These authors make a great counter-balance to the safety zone I enter of detached observations in times of crisis.

Aloha for Virginia Tech: Choosing to Respond. Rosa Say.
Voices of Aloha, Voices of Strength. Rosa Say.
Let Love Be Your Legacy: Thoughts About Virginia Tech. Phil Gerbyshak.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Spotting Dangerous Behavior

2007-04-17T16:49:00.000-05:00

Clicking the graphic will take you to the Family Career and Community Leaders of America site

In reference to the recent devastating events at the Virginia Tech University, I am going to revisit one of my previous topics, signs of erratic and dangerous behavior.

In light of the ever mounting pressures experienced by all of society more and more people are succumbing to various levels of maladaptive, antisocial and sociopathic behavior. Ever more often we read of horror stories like that of Cho Seung-Hui breaking with rationality and killing others before killing themselves.

An additional tragedy is that their is often an awareness that these persons are struggling on the edge of rationality for some time prior to their most horrible acts.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed. They seek some form of escape from their woes. In some cases they take the final step of taking the life of another or themselves.

Some astounding suicide and murder facts:
Suicide is the third leading cause among people 15 to 24 years of age.
Suicide statistics for people 10 to 14 years of age increased 100% between the years 1980-1996.
Suicide rates for white females between the ages of 15 and 24 have more than doubled since 1950.
Suicide rates for white females between the ages of 15 and 24 have more than tripled since 1950.

What are the known reasons for suicide in these groups?
-Ending a conflict.
-Ending prolonged emotional or physical pain.
-Grief and loss.
-Desire to join a deceased loved one.
-Self-punishment.
-Anger at others.
-Act of defiance.
-Attempt to avoid punishment for a crime.
-Attempt to gain notoriety.
-Impulsive act while under the influence of a chemical.
-Copy cat. When an act of violence occurs in a large area (school) there is a 300% chance or a second incident.

What are the signs? There are many but these are the twenty most common predictors.
1. A previous attempt or incident.
2. A similar act by a friend or family member.
3. An addiction to drugs or alcohol.
4. Serious medical problems.
5. Major psychological illness.
6. Any loss (real or percieved).
7. Previous impulsive or erratic behaviors (especially running away).
8. Family problems.
9. Few or no friends.
10. Inability to communicate about problems.
11. Conflict or frustration with authority figures.
12. Feelings of helplessness or worthlessness.
13. History of abuse.
14. Preoccupation with death or violence.
15. "I wish I were dead" statements.
16. Sudden interest in the afterlife.
17. Premade funeral arrangements.
18. Giving away possessions.
19. Visible physical changes.
20. Social withdrawal or isolation.

Tomorrow I will follow up with a post on how to detect concealed weapons.
Elemental Value Added Truth: In times of trouble "Fight the good fight of the faith." Timothy 6:12

5 Tips on How to Detect a Liar

2007-04-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

It's hard to tell a lie. By default then, it is fairly easy to detect a lie. At least it is once you know the signs and tells of a liar.

Here are 5 signs to look for when you think someone may be lying to you.

Covering the Mouth. The subconcious mind may cause the speaker to cover their mouth in order to "hide" the lie.
Touching the Nose. Chemicals known as catecholomines are released when people lie. According to the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation of Chicago, this causes the tissue inside the nose to swell and itch.
Rubbing the Eyes. When an adult does not feel comfortable making eye contact (as when lying) they will often rub their eyes to prevent looking at the person they are lying to.
Grabbing the Ear. This may be an attempt to block their own hearing of the lie they are telling.
Scratching the Neck. This is another sign that increases in frequency as a persons stress level increases as when telling a lie.

Elemental Value Added Truth: If you are seeking for signs that the people you are interacting with are telling lies, then perhaps you should be seeking other people to interact with.

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Elemental Truths: 10 Tips on How to Keep Racism Alive

2007-04-12T18:23:00.000-05:00

Elemental Truths: 10 Tips on How to Keep Racism Alivehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070412/ts_nm/usa_race_imus_dc_35

10 Tips on How to Keep Racism Alive

2007-04-12T17:53:00.000-05:00

Minstrel Image from Flickr

Well, here I go again.

I do a lot of training focused on Anti-Racism and Un-Doing Racism. With that as a mission you have a tendency to run across a lot of things that, either by chance or design, keep racism alive and well.

Here are the top 10.
1. Pretend like racism does not exist.
2. Tolerate racist jokes.
3. Pretend racism is a battle already won by your parents generation.
4. Believe that racism is too big an issue for you to have an impact on.
5. Here is a great one. Pretend like you know the skin color of God.
6. Don't go to any effort to make friends with folks that have different skin color than you.
7. Never try to expand your empathy by studying any culture other than your own.
8. Ignore the fact that a black man driving through a white neighborhood is treated differently than a white man driving through a black neighborhood.
9. Support governmental "Poverty Pimps" that lure promising blacks out of their communities when they could become the corner stone of a dynamic developing community.
10. Laugh when ANY comedian tells jokes using the N word.

Kind and gentle readers, I'm here to tell you it still exists. Even knowing my job and the training I present a person tried to tell me today that not only was he certified to repair my computer; but he also tried to tell me "I be brother certified to fix your printer too." Then he didn't understand when I called him on it.

Roads still need to be made.Publish

***addendum***CBS Fire Imus***

Elemental Value Added Truth: "There is difference between knowing the path and walking the path." - Morpheus, Matrix Revolutions.

Racial Communication Issues.

2007-04-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

Roseta Stone Image from Flickr

I have written several posts on the topic of Racism.

The Myth of Racism.
The Myth of Racism Part 2.
The Myth of Racism Part 3.
The Myth of Racism Part 4.
The Myth of Racism Part 5.
The Myth of Racism Part 6.
The Myth of Racism Part 7.
The Myth of Racism Part 8.

In each of those posts I exploded a Myth that justified the existence of racism. But, one element rang throughout each of the posts; there is a tremendous communication gap between white Americans and black Americans. With that in mind I put together the following phrase list. What I recommend is that you look over each of these phrase and supply what you feel the meaning might be. Afterwards, scroll down the page and have a look at the actual meanings.

1. All un in my bizness
2. All up in my grill
3. Baller
4. Balling
5. Bootleg
6. Boo-yah!
7. Cheddar
8. Chillin
9. Clowin
10. Crib
11. The cut
12. Dawg
13. Down low (D.L.)
14. Fiendin
15. Flossin
16. Fo' real
17. For sheezv
18. G.
19. Gank
20. G Monev
21. Grip
22. Hold up
23. Hook me up
24. I'm straight
25. It's all good
26. Jack
27. Jellin
28. Kickin it
29. Krunk
30. Mad hops
31. Mad skills
32. Mv bad
33.Off the hook/Off the chain
34. One
35. Peoples /Peeps
36. Player (pronounced playa)
37. Po po
38. Props
39. Regulate
40. Scrub
41. Shorty
42. That's what's up
43. Thugged out
44. Tore up (pronounced "toe up")
45. Triflin'
46. True dat
47. Ups
48. Whassup
49. What's crack-a-lackin?

1. When someone is meddling in your affairs or dealings.
2. The act of being in someone's face (aggression).
3. Someone who flaunts money.
4. Flaunting money.
5. Something that is imitation, cheap or bad quality.
6. An exclamation used in celebrating victory.
7. Money.
8. Simply hanging out
9. Making fun of someone.
10. A house.
11. A house.
12. Your friends.
13. A secret, not common knowledge.
14. An urge, as in an addictive behavior.
15. Showing off ones belongings or wealth.
16. Derived from "For Real" meaning, "That is true."
17. Derived from "for sure," a statement of agreement.
18. Derived from "gangster." A name for anyone you would associate with.
19. Steal or take without permission.
20. A name for someone that meets all criteria of being "cool" or a name when greeting a friend.
21. Money.
22. Pronounced hole up - phrase used to get someone to wait.
23.A request for assistance, usually from someone seeking some sort of material or financial gain.

24. A declaration that you are all right in your current state of being, as if to say "I have all my needs met, just now."

25. Everything is under control and fine.

26. Steal.

27. Getting along amicably.

28. Relaxing, usually with ones friends.

29.Wild and exhilarating. Taking it to the next level of excitement or fun.

30. An incredible ability to jump high.

31. Incredible skills.

32.Phrase said to admit guilt in a situation.

33.Acting out of control. Rambunctious.
34.Primarily used as a phrase of dismissal to say as you are leaving or going
away.

35. Friends, companions, acquaintances

36.Someone, usually, but not always, a male who dates a lot of females at the same time.

37. A policeman.

38. Favor or admiration credited to a person because of something done.

39. To take an action of enforcement. To punish or hurt.

40. Someone undesirable.

41. A female or girlfriend.

42. A term used to say something is okay, to affirm.

43. To be hard-core or have a gangster attitude.

44. Messed up, ugly or run down.

45. Cheating on your boyfriend or girlfriend.

46. That's true.

47. The ability to jump very high (also known as "hops").

48. Derived from "what's up." What's going on? How is it going? Good to
see you.

49. Means "Hello" or "What's up?"

Developing Lifetime Goals

2007-04-10T17:02:00.000-05:00

I've been challenged by a reader (M.T.) to identify and post my personal goals. I realize to most folks that does not seem too daunting a task. However, I have set many goals in the past and I am all too aware that when you set a goal, write it out and work toward you run the risk of achieving it.

Yes, I said the risk of achieving it.

You see, I am a great believer in the old adage, "be careful what you wish for, you may get it."

Setting goals is a serious business and it should not be done with a cavalier attitude. So, after much thought and no small amount of trepidation I am here setting down five of my goals.

Establish a counseling ministry for those seeking light and guide them into Godly ways of meeting the needs of their temperaments.
Build and sit an endowed chair position for a private school founded on principals of faith.
Build Elemental Truths into a resource of such value that it funds a full time position for electronic publications.
Be the husband and father my wife and children deserve.
Write a worthy reference work for understanding and a interacting with others in a positive and mutually beneficial way.

Well, that's about it.

As I understand the process, I am now supposed to challenge any who read these words to compile their own list of goals to post on their site. In this way the "paid forward" value continues its positive journey across the internet.

Consider the challenge extended. And any who take up the gauntlet should note the undertaking in the comments section here.

Elemental Value Added Truth: A person without written goals is like an explorer without a map. Not only does he not know where he is going, he may not even know it when he gets there.

Discover Easy Wealth

2007-04-09T14:13:00.001-05:00

Some years ago a fictitious "study" was being circulated stating that Yale University had identified the twelve most powerfully influential words of the English language.

As I stated their was no Yale study identifying these "power words." But, we nonetheless see them used again, and again in advertising campaigns. We see them in headlines, ad copy and web page text copy. They are shouted at us from our televisions and radios.

The interesting thing is that some turns of a phrase do seem to impact our psyches more than others. Who among us does not remember being harangued to use "active" rather than "passive" voices in our writings when we wish to sway or persuade our audiences? What salesman has not been coached in the secret of getting potential customers to say the word "yes" as much as possible before making their pitch.

So, without doubt their is something (who knows what?) to this line of thinking. With that in mind I have gathered the "Power Words and Phrases" and listed them here for you, my gentle reader.

Free
Discover
Powerful
Easy
Guaranteed
You'll love this!
Money
Hottest
New Improved
Proven Results
Revolutionary
State-of-the-Art
Fantastic
Save
Best
For a limited time only
Secret
Best kept secret
Unbelievable
Must see to believe
Clinically proven
Health
Love

So, take them and run your own test. Sprinkle them generously through out your headlines, leads, and post bodies. At the very least you should get some interesting traffic and draw some interesting advertisements.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Many a truth is spoken in jest.

The Way Things Are Done

2007-04-08T19:32:00.000-05:00

I just read an excellent post by on the importance of the order in which things are done. It was about priorities and doing the right thing instead of doing things right. It pointed out the power of how seemingly nominal modifications can change an outcome completely. It inspired me to make the following comment in the feed back section.

Two small "modifications" have made enormous impact on my life. I used to follow the Covey plan fanatically. Then two small modifications occurred about 18 months apart.
Mod 1 daughter Emily.
Mod 2 daughter Chloe.
Now my to do list is more like...
-wake up.
-be a dad.
-drink coffee
-be a dad
-drive to work while thinking about how to be a better dad
-write a blog post about how to be a better dad
-be a dad.
-obsess about being a dad
-screw up royally
-apologize
-be a dad
And you know what? When I do it right (or even get in the ballpark) the tea never tasted sweeter.

You know, the more I think about those two modifications the more I realize what tremendous guiding principles they have become. It seems when i take the time to think about what the impact of my actions would be on my two girls, the closer I get to getting things "right."

A man once asked me, "Reg, if you were put on trial for being a Christian tomorrow would their be enough evidence to convict you?"

Now, that is a question that will make a man stop and think. But, I'd be found guilty.

If another charge were brought against me for being a good father, I want the same verdict.

It has been said that I expect too much from my girls. it has been said I set the bar too high. I think every dad who ever held his baby girl in a blanket and watched her lips quiver at the shock of being in the world is a little guilty of this.

The problem occurs when the expectations we set for ourselves as fathers aren't greater than the expectations we set for our children.

Elemental Value Added Truth: In this life you will have setbacks. The only way to receive the greatest praise of "well done my good and faithful servant" is to apologize and keep working for good.

Breaking the Poverty Cycle

2007-04-03T13:20:00.000-05:00

image from flicker

In the late 1990's Susan Mayer (then an associate professor at the Irving B. Harris Graduate School) did a study which examined the impact of increasing parental income and its impact on ending the cycle of generational poverty.

Here are the Posits.

Higher parental income was predicted to significantly raise student performance scores on standardized reading and mathematics tests.
Higher parental income was predicted to dramatically affect the the "stay in school" rate of the children.
Higher parental income was predicted to drastically reduce the amount of time male off spring spent unemployed after education.
Higher parental income was predicted to all but eliminate the incidence of daughters growing up to be unwed mothers.

Here are the actual results.

Little or no impact was made on student test performance.
Only 1/5th of a year was added to "stay in school" time.
No impact was measurable on the amount of idle time spent by adult male offspring.
The rate of out of wedlock motherhood was cut only 8 to 20 percent.

What is the one element that has been shown to break the poverty cycle on a consistent basis?

Earlier and more rigorous education.

What is the longest running, most documented educational program known to impact the poverty cycle?

Head start.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Wealth is becoming the exclusive domain of the highly educated.

Memory Pathway Optimization

2007-04-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

If you want to improve your memory you need to understand the intricacies of how memory "works."

If you take a look at the chart I've developed above, you'll get a fair overview of how to access some of the different pathways and avenues of your working memory.

These are NOT theories. These are tried and true methods. I've used these techniques with great success with many different populations (adult, juvenile, developmentally delayed and entrepreneurs) over the past twenty years with the same success.

The key is to find the category or "Memory Discipline" that is most effective for you.

As you will note, these techniques are not specific to academic environments. Although, I have used them with great success there, they are more geared toward non-academia.

Here we go:

Column 1:
Semantic Memory refers to the type of memorization used for lists, names, dates, places and various facts. It is word related and seeks out similarities, associations, or differences in information to group data together.

Acronyms, acrostics an rap songs work well with this sub group.

Column 2:
Episodic Memory refers to events which are recalled due to intense emotional connections. An example would be what you were doing when the Twin Towers were struck.

Role plays, props, case studies and simulations are the best devices for this subgroup.

Column 3:
Procedural Memory refers to events recalled due to muscle movement activity connected to them. Playing the scales on a piano, running basketball drills, rehearsing the martial arts kata, would all be examples.

Rehearsal and debating points are the two strongest recall tools for this subgroup.

Column 4:
Automatic Memory refers to conditions of stimulus which always trigger the same reaction. You learned your multiplication tables with this system, flashing the card 6 x 8 automatically bring the memory answer 48 to your mind without conscious recall attempts.

Mnemonics, poems and rhymes are the best tools for this subgroup.

Column 5:
Emotional Memory refers to a memory connected to a strong emotional experience and it often overrides other memory systems. Consider the extreme detail with which you remember the burial dress of a departed loved one. However, the same connections are possible with positive and pleasant emotional recall as well, the birth of a child perhaps.

This subgroup has greater recall when devices such as personal anecdotes and personal experiences are brought into the scheme.

More on Memory,
Here,
and Here.

Elemental Value Added Truth: "The key ingredient needed to distill wisdom from memory is a sacred perspective which recognizes God’s hand and seeks His purpose in all of life’s events."...J. Kirk Gulledge, ED.D.

Problems With Charismatic Leadership

2007-03-28T17:41:00.000-05:00

image from starfleetlibrary.com

I realize have written about this topic in the past but as I have just completed a post about developing your commanding presence, I felt it was worth revisiting. I want to examine it at this particular time, because I don't want the superficial trait of charisma to be mistaken for, or confused with, a developed and cultivated commanding presence.

Charisma can be a wonderful trait. The origin of the word is Greek, kharizesthai or to be of divine favor. Or having the favor of the "gods." In actuality, it more closely means the recipient of a gratuity or a gift of appreciation. So, one who had performed well for the "gods" might be given a divine favor, or "charisma."

All in all, it sounds pretty harmless. Rather like a sense of admiration for an individuals' finer qualities. The problem occurs when charisma becomes mistaken for leadership skill and ability.

Allow me to offer some examples from my own past.

During my military service I served under quite a variety of commanding officers who held the rank of captain. Some, I recall with fondness. Even though they were never familiar with the enlisted you could say the best ones were at least friendly. One man in particular comes to mind. His name was Othello B. Washington. He commanded a reserve unit I was attached to.

As in most military units the "old man," or "Dad" (First Sargent) ran the show on a day to day basis. But anytime he could get out his office, Captain Washington was out there checking on us and making sure we had what we needed to get the job done. He had the type of charisma that added to the quality of his leadership skill. In essence, you wanted to follow him not because he was only charismatic, but he also knew what he was doing. He had the commanding presence.

On the other hand, I remember a spit and polish officer we once got out of West Point. This man was an absolute waste of a set of battle fatigues. He was more interested in keeping his jump boots shiny than putting in the effort on any mission we ever had. He almost made a case for "fragging" an officer (settle down, I said ALMOST). He relied on positional leadership. We followed his orders because of the position he held. He was handsome and charismatic. However he had not the slightest idea what he was doing. I would have been dread to follow him into a pie fight.

Now let's take a look at the world of fiction for the extreme of a charismatic leader. Voyage with me to the "Star Ship Enterprise" and meet Captain Kirk, her commander.

Captain James T. Kirk was an extremely charismatic and lousy commanding officer.

Now that I have irked every Star Trek fan who ever lived, I'll go on to explain my position and make my argument against leadership based on charisma.

Point One: First and foremost a good military commander needs to make sure the unit is managed efficiently. That means no matter how unpleasant or unpalatable, the commander must the needs of the many above the needs of the few. There innumerable instances in which Captain Kirk for the sake of his ego disregarded this precept and put the many at risk unnecessarily.

A Commanding Presence Leader careful consider the risks and rewards of a venture.

Point Two: In order to maintain his charismatic image he never involved himself in the tedium and routine of the day to day operations of command.

A Commanding Presence Leader make the effort to insure discipline, maintenance, motivation and discipline.

Point Three: He no military baring. Every episode was an example of "conduct unbecoming an officer." He relied solely on his charisma rather than his support team to carry the day.

A Commanding Presence Leader involves his team in examining the issues and takes well considered steps to lead the group forward.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Substance always trumps appearance.

10 Tips for Utterly Destroying You Blog and Your Credibility:Part 2

2007-03-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

Flickr on Bad Advice

Welcome back for part 2 of the 10 Tips For Destroying Your Blog (shortened title edition). I try to pick up where we left off. Let's see now, where were we? Oh yes! Step 5 outlined in detail how to destroy your credibility by simple taking content from the sites of others and posting them on your own blog as if you had done the work. All in all, an excellent strategy for destroying your work and reputation.

Step 6: Don't Venture Into New Areas with Additional Blogs.

If you really are dedicated to destroying your blog you must stay in as narrow minded a frame work as possible. You should never venture into areas in which you are not a complete expert. You should never allow your reader to realize you are willing to explore and learn about new concepts on your site. That kind of open minded behavior will be disastrous to your ultimate goal of driving people away.

Step 7: Rely on High Volume Power-Houses Like Lifehack.org or Lifehacker.com to Drive Traffic Your Way.

Devote much more of your time trying to solicit attention from traffic giants than to developing the merits of your own site. Then when Leon Ho, or Gina Tripani, or Adam Pash don't publish your tips you should sulk and stop reading their sites to seek what is drawing a lot of interest. But, basically try to appeal to everyone by plying these sites rather than developing your own niche.

Step 8: Never Read Anyone Else's Work Looking for New Concepts or Ideas to Explore.

You should never check your incoming traffic statistics to see what the referring sites are. And you should especially never visit those sites which may have similar concepts and topics as your and read what somebody else has to say.
Step 9: Don't Read Books by Ted Demopoulos, or Seth Godin on Successful Blogging.
Books like "Blogging for Business," "What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting," and the Bloggers Prayer Tract "Secrets of Successful Blogging," will only fill your head with innovation and tried and true success strategies for blogging. You don't want that kind of material around if your trying to kill your site.

Step 10: Never, Ever Take the Time to Sit Down and Quantify on Paper What You Consider a Successful Blog to Be.

It is imperative that you never write down exactly what you consider success to be. If you do this you will no longer be able to pine and moan about how successful the other guy is, and how you can never possibly attain that kind of "success." It is absolutely imperative that you never define success to work toward if you want you blog to fail.

Special Bonus Strategy:

Never Make Comments or Link to Sites Like Elemental Truths Because You Don't See an Immediate Payoff in Traffic or Profitability.

Is this a little tongue in cheek?
Yes, it is.

Do I, none the less, feel we often short change ourselves by buying into some of this rhetoric?
You bet your sweet bippy I do.

Elemental Value Added Truth: If we don't take the time to expose emasculating negativity for what it is, we allow it some power over us.

The Weight of Stress

2007-03-22T16:55:00.000-05:00

Image from chronicfatique.org

Recently I was making a presentation about the importance of taking the time to establish genuine relationships with clientèle. I was not far into the material when the "read" I was getting from the audience led me to a new direction.

When I asked a few probing questions I discovered that the group was under an intense amount of pressure to produce and perform and felt that adding "one more thing" could very well be their ultimate undoing. The stress was becoming too great.

I expressed my regret that they were experiencing such dire circumstances and took a sip of water from a glass graciously left for me by the presentation host. At this point I shared a story that had been once shared with me about burdens.

"How heavy is this glass of water?"

After a few long moments of bewildered looks I began to get a few tentative responses.

"8 ounces"
"10 ounces.'
"20."

I replied, "The absolute weight of the water doesn't matter. It depends on how long I try to hold it. If I hold it outstretched for one minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it out for an hour, I have a real ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, I'll need medical attention."

The weight never changes, but the longer I hold it the greater a burden it becomes.

That is the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later it becomes too much for us to bear.

Stress is like that glass of water. You need to put it down now and again, or passing along to some one else before you are ready to carry on. Then, when you have had a rest you can pick up your burden and continue with a new vigor.

Train yourself to put down your burden at the end of the workday and take some time for yourself. Don't take it home with you. Start fresh tomorrow. When you go beyond your limitations you end up burned out or on the injured list then you're of limited use to anyone including yourself.

Here are a few strategies for putting your burden down.
1. Realize some days are not going to go well.
2. Keep a civil tongue in your head.
3. Read something uplifting every day.
4. If you can't be nice, be quiet.
5. Never buy things you can't afford.
6. Remember you are probably the most important person in the world to at least on person in the world.
7. You are going to make mistakes.

Elemental Value Added Truth: "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." Zig Ziglar

Fathers and Daughters

2007-03-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

I have two daughters and they are 16 months apart. In the area where I grew up, that is known as "Irish Twins." At one time I thought that was a derogatory, and insulting term. But, as I came to realize that everyone using that reference was of the same Scotch-Irish mutt mixture as myself it was rather a term of endearment.

There is something special about the relationship between a Scotch-Irish dad and his daughters.

I like to think a father of this ethnicity is the first man a daughter wants to love and be loved by. If she grows up with a dad who loves her, cherishes her and encourages her, she will grow up feeling “love worthy.”

I try to set aside "Dad" time for my daughters on a regular basis. It is my hope these family memories will allow us to build trust, and offer me opportunities to participate more actively in their futures.

It is my greatest fear they might become one of the girls who grow up with absent or emotionally-distant fathers who thereby seek approval from other, sometimes much older, males.

Consider these aside statistics :
The number of out-of-wedlock children is growing at an epidemic rate
In the African American community that number has reached an alarming 70%.
Studies show that most teenage girls who become pregnant do so with men 3 to 5 years older.

“ The father’s role in a daughter’s life is invaluable in molding her future male-female relationships,” says Elizabeth Lea, a therapist in San Francisco. “Whether they are aware of it or not, females tend to pattern such relationships after the model set by their fathers. Dad is the prime example in a girl’s life of how she should be treated by males.”

There are three basic areas that fathers need to concentrate on with their daughters:
1. Showing affection. Physical touch is a part of every relationship. Appropriate physical intimacy with dad helps girls build trust, and a positive self-image. Hugs and kisses are affirming, warm, full of love and assurance.
2. Being a good listener. This is especially relevant in the teenage years. But, remember they aren’t necessarily asking you to solve their problems. They just want you to validate their feelings.
3. Treat their mother well. Treating her with love, dignity, respect and value will speak volumes to your daughter. Your daughter will watch how you interact with other females - grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends. She will notice your behavior and how you talk with women and she will believe that is the norm by which she should be treated.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Everyone benefits when dads are actively involved and engaged in the lives of their daughters .

Psychological Neoteny

2007-03-15T12:19:00.000-05:00

Does it seem to you as if the adults around you are acting like children? You're right. They probably are.

Due to the current rise of childlike behavior on in to adulthood the phenomena has actually come to the point that it required a name. It is called Psychological Neoteny or Peter Pan Syndrome.

I'm not making this up.

In June of 2006 the Discovery Channel News wrote a piece about this exact topic.

Here are their findings in summary.

1. A growing number of people are retaining their childlike behavior far into
adulthood.
2. As a result grown-ups are displaying more immature behavior
than ever before.
3. Many people never reach what would be considered mental adulthood at all.
4. A portion of the cause of this behavior may actually be
higher education. Formal education requires a child-like receptivity to new
concepts. When education of this type continues well into a persons twenties this
childlike behavior extends along with it.
5. The great transiency of current generations from career to career, house to house, state to state and relationship to relationship does not encourage the development of maturity.

The preference of modern society for flexible leadership, outside the box thinking and innovation is not conducive to developing a mature mentality.

Elemental Value Added Truth: I'm not sure this is a bad thing!

10 Steps to Making a Terrible Presentation

2007-03-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

Here are 10 sure fire steps to make a horrible presentation.

1. Let a colleague rope you in to a last minute slot.
2. Assume your audience wants to be there.
3. Don't do any background profiling on your audience.
4. Allow your area of expertise to be marginalized into too small a time allotment.
5. Assume the tech specialist at the site knows what you're talking about when you explain your requirements.
6. Assume your audience has at least a minimal awareness of the topic you are presenting.
7. Assume the sponsoring organization realizes acoustically bad rooms are unsuitable for quality presentations.
8. Expect the audience to behave as professionals and don't go over your ground rules for participation.
9. Agree to present at the end of a work day.
10. Assume the event sponsor realizes hot rooms are not conducive to effective presentations.

What can you add to the list?

Elemental Value Added Truth: "It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and say the opposite." Sam Levenson.

Are You the Right Tool For the Job

2007-03-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

Finding a good career isn't just about finding the highest salary. A lot of job satisfaction comes from non-monetary things.

If you enjoy what you do, you will be more satisfied with your job and more likely to advance in that field. However, if you are "in it for the money," even high paying positions will not generate a sense of satisfaction in you, and burnout becomes a very real danger.

So, what can you do?

Take the time to consider your underlying temperament when considering which career you should pursue. Just because something seems like fun on a television program does not mean it will contribute to your own personal sense of self and long term enjoyment.

Of course, I have made my feelings well known on this topic. I truly believe that God has created each of us with an underlying temperament which we can utelize in fulfilling a greater plan. I believe our sense of satisfaction and happiness is integrally connected to the ways in which we seek to fulfill that plan.

When we choose careers that are compatable to our needs of inclusion, affection and control we greatly increase our chances of attaining our potential.

Although, I believe the best tool for analysis of these areas is the Arno Profile System, (you may of course contact me regadkins@gmail.com for the APS analysis) there are other instruments which take a less spiritual view of these issues. Some of more thorough of those are the Myer Briggs, the DISC, and the Caliper.

However, if you are more of the quick and clever type you may prefer the following:

Project Career
Live Career
The Free Career Test
My Plan
Rocket Career

Elemental Value Added Message: Taking the time to match your personality to your career choice can have long term impact.

Keeping a Supine Happy

2007-03-04T15:16:00.000-05:00

Dr. Arno does not receive the credit he is due for all his efforts in identifying the Supine Temperament. If you are even aware of this classification it is because of the work of Dr. Arno and the National Christian Counselors Association. As far as I know, they are the only entity to acknowledge the existence of this "Fifth" Temperament. But, I do not believe this will long be the case.

The Supine temperament is the quintessential model of a servant leader. They always place their own needs secondary to the good of the body.

The Supine is happiest when pursuing these altruistic goals:

Social Interaction
Surface Relationships
Intellectual Activities
Seeking the comfort of group anonymity
Capitalizing on their acute social sensitivities
Contributing to the development of others
Manipulating social situations
Analyzing

The strengths and interests of the Supine:

Strong Decision Makers
Extremely Responsible
Highly Independent
Extreme Loyalty
Highly Dependable
Capable of deep personal relationships
Faithful

Ideal jobs for the Supine:

Law enforcement
Social Services
Social Workers
Nurses
Physical Therapists
Massage Therapist
Athletic Trainers
Event Planners

The Supine temperament is best suited for jobs in which their contribution will be acknowledge publicly rather than monetarily.

Elemental Value Added Message: Know yourself and seek to build upon the strengths God gave you.

Keeping a Melancholic Happy

2007-03-04T15:15:00.002-05:00

The Melancholic is most happy when pursuing the ideals they value most.

Superiority
Perfection
Meaning
Purpose
Acceptance
Approval
Altruism
Aesthetics
Accomplishment
Accuracy
Completion
Culmination
Faultlessness
Improvement
Intimacy
Self-Actualization
Social Justice

Their areas of interest span the gambit.

Acting
Arts and Humanity
Education
Horror
Idealism
Issues and Causes
Journalism
Languages
Linguistics
Literature Mental Health
Music
Mystery
Mysticism
Mythology Folklore
New Age
Personal Growth
Philanthropy
Religion
Spirituality
Social Sciences
Theology
Writing

Ideal jobs for the melancholic.

Historian
Author
Scientist
Researcher
Artist
Translator
Programmer

The melancholic temperament is better suited for jobs in which constant interaction with others is not a requirement.

Elemental Value Added Message:Building on your innate strength can help you become comfortable in your own skin.

Strategically Seeing the Room Chapter 2

2007-03-04T15:15:00.001-05:00

A few months ago I wrote a post entitled "Strategically Reading the Room" that got quite a bit of interest.

Since then I've been working on other techniques designed to give you persuasive capital and provide insight into the person you are speaking with.

There are several "tells" in a person's use of words that give us an invaluable insight into how they process information.

If you pay attention, after a few minutes of casual conversation the person has given you invaluable insight into the means by which they process information. This is data gives you understanding about how they think that even may not realize.

Here are a few examples,

I see what you're saying.
I hear you.
Let me grapple with that.
I've got a real taste for that.
Something doesn't smell right about that

If you incorporate their processing technique into the message you are sending, you enhance the effectiveness of your communication, as well as your ability to persuade.

The first indicates a visual processor.

The second indicates an auditory thinker.

The third is quite likely very kinesthetic in their thinking.

The fourth is typically and immature person who is still quite childlike and oral in their methods of processing information.

In this installment I will concentrate on techniques for the visual processor.

Here is an example. In a conversation with someone you notice that they rely heavily on language that emphasizes the visual spectrum of communication. Their speech is generousely sprinkled with,

"I can see how that might work."
"I see what you mean."
"I'm getting a good mental picture of what you are trying to tell me."
"That seems clear to me."
"It's as plain as the nose on your face."

All of these phrases indicate you are speaking with someone who basis much of their communication in the visual realm.

So, if you wish to be persuasive with this person it would behoove you to adjust your argument to reflect that type of reasoning. The power of your communication will increase exponentially.

To do this you want your speech to be full of examples of visual imagery. Use phrases like, "I can see something like that happening in the distance of time." The more descriptive and visual your words the more persuasive your message.

Elemental Value Added Message: Imagery is important to the visual reasoner.

The Practical Decision Tree

2007-03-03T13:31:00.000-05:00

Under most circumstances a decision tree is a tool used to sort out quantitative information from large volumes of variable numbers.

But, there is no real reason why you could not apply the same process to any important (or insignificant if you want to put the time into it) choice you must make.

Let's take a mundane example.

You find yourself in a leadership position in your _____(blog, business, church, department, division, company, you name it). You decide you want to optimize the number of visitor, customers, clients, etc. Unfortunately your clientèle seems unpredictable. Some days, you and your staff are swamped and struggle to keep up with the demand for your product or service. Other days you are in the proverbial ghost town of operations. You want to perfect your business model by predicting when your customers will appear. So, you start taking a look at the "how comes" and see if there is a way to predict them. If your a blogger, you will probably assume content is a major factor so you start projecting your topics for the upcoming couple of weeks.

During those two weeks you record some pertinent data.

The post topics
The posts which receive the most comments
The post tones or genre
The days of the week with the most site visits
The days of the week with the most page views
The days of the week with the least site visits
The days of the week with the least site views
The times of day with the highest traffic statistics
The times of day with the lowest traffic statistics
The days and topics of your highest advertising profits

Then you build a simple spreadsheet, maybe something like this:

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat

Topic

Tone

Comments

Page Views

Page Visits

Visit Duration

Then you might pull two key aspects, like Most Visits and Least Visits and place them in a decision tree something like the image at the top of the page.

Finally, based on the strength of the data you decide it is best to write about getting things done on Mondays, small business topics on Tuesday, personal development on Wednesdays, Communication on Thursdays, etc.

Hopefully, this will help you to understand what your readers want and when they want it. I have had enough success with this model that I am continuing to explore it.

Elemental Value Added Message: We don't exist in a vacuum. If we wish to be heard and appreciated we must be receptive to the needs and wants of our audience.

Personality Test

2007-03-02T10:31:00.000-05:00

Occaisionally I am asked how "Personality" and "Temperament" are different. Personality is your ability to code switch to meet the expectations of the environment. Temperament is the permanent "YOU" that is underneath.

The following is a Personality Quiz. It has been popularized by Oprah Winfry and Dr. Phil McGraw. Some people place great stock in it and pay considerable sums to do it. I find it interesting, if you take it for what it is: A shotgun overview that is highly generalized.

It takes about 5 minutes to complete and score. Take it for yourself, but don't be too sensitive about the results.

Keep in mind the answers are for who you are now, and unlike temperament may change on your journey through life.

You'll need a pencil and a pad to record and score your answers.

Enjoy!

1. When do you feel at your best?
a) in the morning
b) in the afternoon and early evening
c) in the late evening

2. When you walk you are usually...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, but with little steps
c) less fast and checking the world out as you go
d) lest fast, head down
e) very slow

3. When you talk to people you usually...
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have you hands clasped
c) have one or both hand in you pockets or on your hips
d) touch or push the person you are speaking to
e) pull your ear, touch your face or smooth your hair

4. When you are relaxing, you sit with...
a) your knees bent, legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really strikes you as funny, you react with...
a) a big belly laugh
b) a laugh, but not so loud
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When ariving at a party or social gathering, you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking for a familiar face
c) make the quietest entrance, seeking to stay unnoticed

7. When working and concentrating very hard, and you're interupted, you...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between the two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9. When in bed at night, just before falling asleep, you lie...
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or someone
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless nights
f) your dreams are always pleasant

How to score your test.

1. (a)2 (b)4 (c)6
2. (a)6 (b)4 (c)7 (d)2 (e)1
3. (a)4 (b)2 (c)5 (d)7 (e)6
4. (a)4 (b)6 (c)2 (d)1
5. (a)6 (b)4 (c)3 (d)5 (e)2
6. (a)6 (b)4 (c)2
7. (a)6 (b)2 (c)4
8. (a)6 (b)7 (c)5 (d)4 (e)3 (f)2 (g)1
9. (a)7 (b)6 (c)4 (d)2 (e)1
10. (a)4 (b)2 (c)3 (d)5 (e)6 (f)1

Add the total number of points.

William Shatner (as Captain Kirk)
Over 60 Points
Others see you as someone they should handle with care. You're seen as vain, self-centered and one who is extremely domineering. Others may admire you, whishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become to deeply involved with you.

Bruce Willis (name your role)

51 to 60 Points
Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, one who is quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

Mel Gibson (as Braveheart)

41 to 50 Points
Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical and always interesting; someone who is constantly the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

Jimmy Stewart (need I say more?)

31 to 40 Points
Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, and talented but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who is extremely loyal to friends you do make and expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

Bob Newheart (as Dr. Heartly)

21 to 30 Points
Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really suprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually deciding against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

Jason Alexander (as George Castanza)

Under 21 Points
People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you are boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Sand and Stone

2007-03-01T18:28:00.000-05:00

Two friends were walking through the desert. At some point along the journey, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, and without saying a word he wrote the following in the sand:

Today my best friend slapped me in the face.

They kept walking until they came to an oasis, where they decided to take a bath.

The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started to drown, but his friend was able to save him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he picked up a stone and carved the following.

Today my best friend saved my life.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him the following.

After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone, why?

The friend replied,

When someone hurts us we should write it in the sand where the winds of forgiveness can erase the pain. But, when someone does us a kindness we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.

We must all strive to write our hurts in the sand and carve our blessings in stone.

It is said, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to come to love them. But, an entire life to forget them.

This parable was shared with me by a friend I'll never forget, and I would now like to share it with you.

Elemental Value Added Message: We should strive not to value you the things we have in our lives but the persons we have in our lives.

20 Useful Latin Phrases: Q.E.D.

2007-02-26T18:42:00.000-05:00

Latin is one of the ancient languages and as such is the foundation for many of the words of the English language. Many phrases are still in use in the educational realm such as "magna cum laude" which is "with greatest praise." Legal phrases are still in use such as "pro bono" which is "for the public good." Certain of the Latin phrases add an eloquence to writing that English equivalents seem to lack. Plus, it's kinda fun.

Here are 2o of my favorite phrases.

1. A verbis ad verbera - From words to blows
2. Ad hoc. - For one reason
3. Ad Interim. - For the time being
4. Ad infinitum - To infinity
5. Ad Libitur. - As desired
6. Ad nauseam - To sickness
7. Caveat emptor - Let the buyer beware
8. Cogito Ergo Sum - I think, therefore I am
9. Deus est intus - God is within
10. E re nata - As circumstances dictate
11. Ex cathedra - With authority
12. Habeas corpus - You must have the body
13. Mea culpa - My fault
14. Modus operandi - Method of work
15. Quod erat demonstrandum (QED)- Thus it is proven
16. Tabula rasa - A clean slate
17. Terra firma - Solid ground
18. Veritas Lux Mea - The truth is my light
19. Vice versa - In reverse order
20. Videlicet (viz.) - That is to say

Elemental Value Added Message: An understanding of the core of the language enhances our ability to communicate.

The Body and Soul link will bring you to an Amazon point where you may easily search for an excellent reference book on this topic titled, "More Latin for the Illiterati."

An Elemental Value Added Message of Change

2007-02-23T11:21:00.000-05:00

(Even the two mites offered by The Widow added some value.)

I am making two small changes to Elemental Truths which I hope will have a big impact of the value of the site. One is the inclusion of the "Body and Soul" link at the top of my page which will provide you easy access to the Amazon site, in case you are interested in any of the books, music or other items I address here on Elemental Truths. You should know, Amazon does pay me a small referral fee for any items purchased via that link. If you find this objectionable you may go directly to the Amazon site and seek the item in that manner, Also, (and I believe of more import) I'm adding what I like to call my Elemental Value Added Message to each post.

I'm making this adjustment because it seems more and more often when I read publications, either in paper or electronic format, I find myself asking what is the message? Or, what added value can I take away from this to apply to my goals or life? Sadly, I often find that I can find no real value from the piece.

A wise person once said, "If you don't have anything to say, then don't say anything." This is a concept that seems alien to the mainstream press as the "talking heads" (no offense to David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth or Jerry Harrison) seem to delight in filling the airwaves and "surfdom" with all manner of negativity and disparaging "news."

What benefit, or added value does such add to your life or mine?

I don't want Elemental Truths to become one of those purveyors of doom and nay saying and I count one those of you who read here to help me adhere to this goal.

I encourage you to consider this concept in your daily operations. Challenge yourself to determine how each endeavor you pursue has an intrinsic value to add to your life or someone else's.

I plan to consider the following:

Weekly meeting? What is the value added?
Water cooler gossip? What is the value added?
Reading this blog (or any other)? What is the value added?
Rushing through lunch? What is the (long term) value added?
Long hours spent at work away from family? What is the (long term) value added?

I will do my best to weed those things that have no value from my garden.

With that thought in mind, I have added the Elemental Value Added Message to the end of each of my posts. It is my hope that in each you may find a nugget you can take away and profitably apply to your needs.

I hope you find this post useful and worthy to be considered a contribution to the added value of your life.

Elemental Value Added Message: Small changes can have tremendous impact. Even small gifts like the Widows' mites bring great truths.

References: You may find much of the "Talking Heads" work by following the Body and Soul link I have added to the links list at the top of my page.

Humor, The Parables of the 21st Century

2007-02-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

I like humor. There just isn't anything like a nice clean anecdote to bring a point home in a healthy manner. As a matter of fact, I'm always delighted when I reflect upon how much alike the words "anecdote" and "antidote" are.

Humor can bring home many a deep and poignant message. It often is a touchstone for me when, as my dad used to say, "I get above my raising." With that in mind I'd like to share this little parable with you.

Where do pets come from?

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?"

A dam and Eve said, "Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us."

And God said, "I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.

And it was a good animal.

And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, " I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.

And they were comforted.

And God was pleased.

And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well."

And God said, "I will create for them a companion who will be with them and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.

And Cat would not obey them.

And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.

And Adam and Eve learned humility.

And they were greatly improved.

And God was pleased.

And Dog was happy.

And Cat didn't give a care one way or the other.

Top Ten Tech Companies

2007-02-21T20:34:00.000-05:00

In January Forbes put out the annual list of the top publicly traded (as in fastest growing) 25 tech companies.

Here are the top 10 and type of business they are involved in.

1. Illumina biotechnology equipment

2. Google online search engine

3. Salesforce.com Sales mgmt software

4. Monolithic Power Systems semiconductors

5. Altiris software

6. Martek Biosciences nutritional supplements

7. Euronet Worldwide banking software

8. Cephalon biotechnology

9. Sonic Solutions software for digital media

10. WebEx Communications Internet videoconferencing

WebEx and Altiris were in last years top ten as well.

So, what?

There are a couple of reasons why those of us in "bloggerdom" should pay attention to these lists. One of the reasons is if these companies are the leaders in growth then they are getting the most attention. If we write about them, then we end up attracting more traffic to our own site, thus getting our own messages to a broader audience.

Isn't that selling out?

It depends on the direction you take with it. If you gratuitously throw in the links to those topics and use them to build up your location in the search index, then, yeah it is selling out. But, if your message is pertinent to the audiences that would be seeking out these topics, then your just using a natural opportunity to reach your target audience.

For example, Illumina is the top business on the list. Illumina is a company concerned with the marketing of biotechnology equipment. That is a field of high stress and dynamic leadership. If I write about issues related to stress and leadership on Elemental Truths wouldn't it make sense to utelize scenarios incorporating Illumina operations in my writing?

The same argument would apply to analyzing leadership. If I wish to understand effective leadership should I not analyze and dissect the leadership models of companies in that top growth and performance group like Illumina?

What are your thoughts?
Reg Adkins writes on behavior and the human experience at (elementaltruths.blogspot.com).

Humor in Writing

2007-02-21T20:15:00.000-05:00

I write about some pretty serious content. And I often try to throw in a bit of wit to lighten the mood. When this was brought to me attention I had to ask myself the following question: "Why do I use humor to convey serious messages?"

I think I do it for the same reason marketing agencies do it. Basically, whether it is a message or a product HUMOR SELLS.

Here’s why:

1. Humor gets attention. Think about Super Bowl Sunday. The commercials have to break through the chatter of the pre-game hype, the game, the entertainment, the other commercials and the people drinking beer. The commercials most effective at this are those which employ humor.

2. Humor gets remembered. Consider the Mentos Diet Coke viral advertising scheme here. They created a buzz that made the commercial the talk of the office every morning for weeks. It was so good that people sent it to their friends on the internet. If the commercial is great, the advertising fee will give them more than just the initial 30 seconds of airtime.

3. Humor sells. It creates credibility and trust. And when you combine the elements of getting attention and being memorable, you have a winner that rings the cash register.

4. Sophisticated humor outsells crude humor. Recent television ad campaigns have featured flatulence humor, urine humor and kick-in-the-groin humor. Crude humor is useful only for the brief moment in time for which it has shock value. After that, it is merely annoying.

Psychological Diagnosis Dictionary

2007-02-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

I found this excellent secular diagnosis dictionary on the "Psychology Today" site.

It does a nice job of addressing the definitions of the conditions many psychologists and counselors treat on a regular basis. Of course, it does offer much in the line of information for the faith based counselor.

Diagnosis Dictionary
This dictionary is a good resource for psychological terms and information.

When High Achievers Fail

2007-02-17T15:43:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I wrote about the inevitability of encountering failure if you are a driven, productive person.

A friend of mine (Bert Webb) who writes OpenLoops, a site dedicated to making the most your time the only commodity you truly own, did a follow up on my seven steps to recovering from professional failure, "What to Do When You Screw Up."

Well, after several months of ever more challenging tasks, the inevitable has occurred again and I have found it necessary to revisit my own 7 step advice plan.

1. Own it. Accept responsibility. If you missed a deadline because your boss spilled coffee on your preliminary report, you still missed a deadline.
2. Fix it. If at all possible, you should correct the problem. If extra time will solve the problem, put it in. Work late, come in early, and spend some of your Saturday.
3. Shut it (your mouth). If your boss feels the need to vent, don’t argue. If your colleagues gripe just listen.
4. Don’t Promise it. Don’t’ make promises you cannot keep. Promising it will never happen again is an example. Things happen. Accept it.
5. Apologize for it. Saying your sorry something happened is not the same as saying it is your fault. At this point, it is not about assigning blame, it is about closure.
6. Move it. Attack your next project with more zeal than ever before.
7. Prepare it. If you continue to do your job well, you will continue to be given more and greater challenges. That will of course, increase the chance of your next screw-up and the cycle repeats.

Now, after encountering another stumbling block I have come to realize I left out one extremely, perhaps most important element.

As i wrote in the initial article, the more you do the more you will be expected to do. My own career has demonstrate this principle over the last several months.

As recently as last spring, my position provided behavior support, counseling and management support to a facility that taught 600 students. I provided classroom management support and training for approximately 50 teachers and staff. I believe my supervisors would say I served that position quite well.

Remember the premise. If you do a thing well, you will be asked to do more in that area and to take on new challenges as well. This happened to me this fall.

I was promoted to a position which provides training in classroom management, workplace communication, relationship building, crisis prevention and intervention techniques, behavior management, instructional strategies for males, and tasked with reducing the out of school suspension rates in our district. All save one of these programs I had to build from conception up through implementation and evaluation.

While in this position my focus was to support the instruction of about 60,000 students and several hundred teachers administrators, counselors and support staff.

Again, if you asked my supervisors (and if my work evaluations hold any credence) you would find out that I did those jobs very well.

As a result of my success with these pursuits I was given more tasks and responsibilities. I was asked to take on the daunting task of becoming part of a brand new team initiated to address racism in our district. In addition, I was deployed, along with 80 other central office staff, to support two out of eleven public schools which are in danger of state take over due to their recent poor performance on standardized end of grade and end of course testing. These recent tasks I began with as much vigor as I apply to any new challenge.

However, as I was intently focused on bringing as much of myself to this tasks as I could, I neglected to do what Stephen R. Covey refers to as "sharpening the saw." Because I neglected my own physical well-being my health nearly failed me. I found myself spending much of Saturday morning attached to an EKG machine.

Any workman who does not take care of his tools must eventually expect them to fail him. Your body is you most basic tool and if you do not care for it, it will inevitably fail you.

Throughout these past several months my body has been sending me signals and warning signs which I summarily dismissed. The signals ran the range of weight gain, excessive fatigue, frequent heart-burn, irritability and chronic back ache.

As I said, I ignored these warnings and my body finally said, "OK, have it your way. Here are some nice excruciating chest pains for you to think about."

So, after spending a goodly portion of my Saturday morning hooked up to an EKG machine I find myself with an opportunity to re-prioritize. I, like the ancient forger of metals, must now reheat my tools to a malleable form and pound out the impurities and imperfections.

The first variable I plan to attack is the fuel I place into my body. I have adjustment my grab a soda and a chocolate to get me by philosophy to an "ABC's" of healthy snacks list.

My new "ABC's"
A- Apples, B- Broccoli, C- Carrots, D- Dried fruit, E- English muffin, F- Fruit juice, G- Granola bar, H- Honeydew melon, I- Ice milk, J- Jello, K- kiwifruit, L- Lettuce, M- Milkshake w/ yogurt & fruit, N- Nuts, O- Oranges, P- Pretzels, Q- Quesadilla, R- Raisins, S- String cheese, T- Turkey slices, U- Unbuttered popcorn, V- Veggie pizza, W- Whole grain, X- eXotic fruit, Y- yogurt, Z-Zoo animal crackers.
And water, water and more water.

Take care of your self. Or else.

A Perfect Six, or Why Men & Women Don't Communicate

2007-02-16T06:40:00.000-05:00

The Lord spoke in parables. If it was good enough for Him it is certainly good enough for me. Read this and understand why men and women don't communicated well.

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed watching his wife turn back
and forth, looking at herself in the mirror.

Since her birthday was not far off, he asked what she'd like to have for
her Birthday.

"I'd like to be six again," she replied, still looking in the
mirror.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, and made her a nice big bowl
of Lucky Charms. Then took her to a Six Flags theme park. What a day it was!

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the
Screaming Monster Roller Coaster... everything there was. Five hours later they staggered out of
the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with
extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Next it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well dear, what was it like being six again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression gradually changed from exhaustion to frustrated realization.

"I meant my Dress Size!" she replied.

The moral of the story:

Even when a man is listening, he is going to get it wrong!

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

2007-02-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

I know you have heard about the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People for many years. But, has anyone ever told you what those habits are? Well, here they are again, anyway. How is this list different? I actually explain the habits rather than listing catchy buzzwords with little or no meaning.

1. Take responsibility for everything in your life.
2. Set long term goals and criteria for success.
3. Prioritize a to do list with the long term goals in mind.
4. Seek solutions that are beneficial for all involved parties.
5. Listen to others in order to understand their motivation.
6. When working as a group assign tasks according to a the strengths a person has demonstrated in the past.
7. Take care of yourself first, both physically and emotionally.

It really is a short book. You should consider adding it to your library.

8 Step Personal and Professional Goal Planning Guide

2007-02-14T19:25:00.000-05:00

This is an activity I have found very useful when I conduct leadership trainings. It is an excellent tool which I had forgotten about until recently when it was used by a presenter in a training I was attending. I strongly encourage you to include it in the development of your own personal and professional growth, as well as that of your team.

Here are the steps.

1. Instruct you participants to turn a sheet of paper to the landscape orientation.

2. Now fold the paper so that is is divided vertically into three even segments.

3. Across the top of the sheet participants write their ultimate goal. This works just as well for personal goals as professional goals.

4. Label the column on the left Qualities and Characteristics. Beneath this they should list what they believe are the qualities and characteristics exhibited by a person who has achieved that ultimate goal.

5. Label the middle column Skills. As you might expect they are to list the skills possessed by one who has achieved that ultimate goal.

6. The column farthest to the right should be left blank for the time being.

The tool might look something like this.

Chief Executive Officer of my own Company

Qualities and Characteristics	Skills
Honesty	Organization
Integrity	Ability to See the “Big Picture”
Drive	Ability to Goal Set
Faith	Vision of the Future

7. After a few minutes have been devoted to creating these portion of the artifact give the following instruction. "Now. In the third column, write the title of your current position.

8. Beneath the title of that position write the traits one in that position should possess.

The closer the participants traits listed in the current position column are to those of in the desired qualities, characteristics and skills column, the closer the participant is to achieving those ultimate goals.

It is truly a powerful and enlightening steering guide.

Selling Without Selling Out

2007-02-13T14:04:00.000-05:00

Ethical Advertising

Nearly every time I write on this topic I get a ton of hate mail in the comments section. What does that mean? It could mean one of two things. One, I could be really bad at this and people think I should be told so in no uncertain terms. Two, important issues get folks riled up and passionate. So they must be worth writing about.

I'm going to delude myself into thinking that the latter is the case. If you know differently, please don't shatter my delicate psyche. Just kidding... Shatter away!

So, here I go again.

What type of topics should you be writing about on your site that will bring in more traffic?

If you search for your topic on Google and nobody is writing in your targeted area or subject, the opportunities to generate solid traffic and thereby to make money are going to be rather limited.

The same holds true if you check the traffic volume of similar sites and their traffic number is low. That probably means their AdWords bid prices are in the dirt as well.

How can you tailor your work to generate traffic and revenue without compromising your principles or your message?

Here are a few tools.

The Google Traffic Estimator Tool makes it pretty easy to get an estimate of the bid prices and AdWords click volume.

The Google Keyword Tool lets you check the depth of competition quickly.

The Google AdSense Sandbox lets you see how compelling and relevant ad offers are for a specific topic.

Yes, this is the same topic I wrote about in the Ted Demopoulos book "What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting" (which you can find at the Amazon link on this page). What can I say? I like the topic.

Poverty Mentality

2007-02-11T19:55:00.001-05:00

I don't know who coined the phrase but I do remember that Zig Zigler was the first person I ever heard speak about the "Poverty Mentality." I remember because it was something I never new existed until that moment and that I had it and must overcome if I were to be successful.

He (Zig Ziglar) explained the concept as "wanting what others have and focusing on what they themselves do not have rather than what they do have."

According to Zig, these folks can have a lifestyle that 98% of the world considers prosperous and yet if they don't have ALL the trappings of wealth: the forty foot yacht, the company vice presidency, the super achiever child or the trophy spouse they feel unfulfilled and discontent.

I kind of felt like Zig had come up with a real nice definition for what most of us consider plain old greed. See, happiness isn't getting what you want, it's more about wanting what you get, and you hardly ever see a greedy person who is happy with what they get.

But, you know it is a real trap. Sometimes I have to give myself a good talking to about this. I have a nice place to live, a good car, a devoted wife and two wonderful children. Shoot, I've even got the smartest (I think) dog in the world and a Harley Davidson to tool around on. I get paid to go around giving folks advice on how to look at the big picture and build a executable plan to make the end result of that picture as successful as possible. Not only that but folks actually appreciate and implement my suggestions. I get to do this, plus write this publication expressing ideas that only have to conform to my view of integrity and what I feel my faith calls for.

Yet, sometimes I still suffer from what my dear old dad Carmie Adkins, referred to as the "poor mouth." Now my dad only had a third grade education so where he came up with a Gaelic term which means to exaggerate the direness of one's financial situation in order to gain time from their creditors, is beyond me.

But, through the years I have learned taking the time to acknowledge what we have and appreciate the value makes us happier and healthier.

Next up, "Learning to Appreciate What You Have."

Tithing and Other Quests for Truth

2007-02-11T18:26:00.000-05:00

I must warn you at the onset that this article is my reflections on a journey I began long ago and am still on. As such, it may not be to your taste. But, the good thing about publications of this kind is that you are free to write about what is on your heart.

The barometer to gauge the appropriateness or your articles is unimpeachable. When your readers click on the advertisers who support your site, add you to their bloglines reader make recommendations that bring others to your site, you know you have been successful. When your traffic, bloglines subscribers and advertisement click through rates drop, you have not.
"Ep' eulogiais," a Greek phrase from the New Testament (KJV) meaning to sow blessings and to receive blessings. Loosely interpreted it might be read give so that you may receive.

In 1965, over forty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson created an organization which very few in the hills of West Virginia even know exists, known as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), ostensibly to fight poverty in my home state of West Virginia and several others ranging from Mississippi to New York. Water wells were drilled, sewage treatment plants were constructed and, lest we forget, thousands of miles of road were built.

The roads made it convenient to shift from the traditional shaft mining industry to the more profitable strip mining. Nostalgia that draws us back to the living forests and green rivers turns to heart rend despair when upon our arrival we realize that in our lateness we see that the trucks and coals trains have hauled it away and then moved on to the west in search of cleaner burning, lower sulfur coal.

As a result, the depths of the poverty have gone largely unaltered. Generations still struggle to survive. Potatoes and vegetables are returned to the grocery shelves as patrons with downcast eyes realize they haven't the financial wherewithal to make their purchases.

How can they?

They earn their living at Walmart, McDonalds and the Dollar Store after all the steel mills have followed the mine industry west. If not for the annual deer season and small game hunting meat upon the tables of these folk would be a rare thing indeed.

What has all this to do with the topic of the tithe?

It seems growing up under these circumstances changes a man. Although, you are more than willing to share of every thing you have to one in need you are loathe to let go of the few coins you are able to garner. And, no matter how much money you make, it seems not enough to you. Because you are unable to let go of the money you are unable to reap the wealth of blessed spirit making such a gift brings to you.

But, making the sowing tithe is a liberating experience. I don't know why, but it is true. Giving of what you have, when you do it freely, brings about a sense of hope. And for some reason, it seems the dollars you have left after you tithe seem to go farther.

It should not come as such a surprise to me as it does. Biblically, tithing has been a practice of the faithful even before Moses brought down the Law. Four hundred and fifty years before Christ tithing is recorded in Genesis chapter 14 verse 20.

Although Christ came and fulfilled the Law, tithing continued among the faithful as noted in Luke chapter 11 verse 42.

Still, many do not tithe and I wondered why. So, I looked at the possible reasons.

1. never taught to do so
2. a misunderstanding of the Law
3. simply unwilling
4. a weakness of faith brought about by feeling unable to afford it

Given those reasons why we don't, then why should we?

1. it is biblical
2. for the love of Christ
3. it pleases the Lord
4. it brings blessing to the Church
5. it brings blessings to the giver and their family

I started thinking about this when I read of the life of A.A. Hyde founder of the Mentholatum Company. Mr. Hyde began his tithing when he was $100,000 dollars in dept and his business had failed. Hyde initially felt it was dishonest to give God a tenth of his income when he owed so many creditors so much money. Then one day he came upon the realization that God was his first creditor.

Perhaps these explorations are symptoms of what Dr. Petty calls the Diseases of Discipleship. I leave such things to better men and women than I. I only know, the more I learn the less I realize I know.

These are my thoughts, what are yours?

Michael Crichton's "Next" A book review

2007-02-10T19:10:00.000-05:00

A Michael Crichton book published by Harper Collins books, 2006, 431 pages. Fiction, Genetics, Corporate Espionage, and Intrigue.

I very rarely read, let alone review fiction. But, I received this book as a gift and once I started reading it I couldn't put it down.

I couldn't put it down, the same way you can't pull your eyes away from a horrible traffic wreck. This book was unbelievably bad.

Michael Crichton, if you are reading this, pick a plot line, for the love of humanity.

The last time I saw this many focus jumps in five pages I was teaching drop out prevention in a poverty stricken community in Florida.

This book is truly tragic. I don't think any two consecutive chapters have the same focal character.

Save you 15 bucks on this one and re-read Jurassic Park. Sure it's formulaic but at least he strung two chapters together about the same topic.

Reg Adkins writes on behavior and the human experience at (elementaltruths.blogspot.com).

5 Top Lines When Caught Sleeping at Work

2007-02-09T11:06:00.000-05:00

Take a ten minute cruise around the Internet and you'll quickly notice the astounding number of sites devoted to "Lifehacks," efficiency, productivity and getting as much out of your day as possible. What we rarely seem to see mentioned is the rebound effect of all that efficiency and work completion. Ultimately, we end up in an energy deficit. Then we crash and all our efficiency has been for naught.

Pace yourself. Everything doesn't HAVE to bee done today. And, believe it or not, taking a sanity day for the sake of, well...your sanity, can actually have a positive long term impact on your efficiency.

But, hey, I've been doing this for a while and I know you're going to ignore me and keep burning that ever shortening candle at both ends. So, when you inevitably crash and burn in the middle of writing your final report here are some things that may help you keep your job (or at least get a smile out of your boss when you get the pink slip).

FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK

5. "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."

4. "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course you sent me to."

3."Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time."

2."Did you ever notice the sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"

1. And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk...

Raise your head slowly and say," ...In Jesus' name,Amen."

Reg Adkins writes on behavior and the human condition at Elemental Truths.

Technology Support Sites

2007-02-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

Although, I try to keep manuals from my technology in a central location, I'm not always at that location when I need the manuals. So, I'm cataloging as many support sites as I can think of here. That way I can just come to this site and follow the link I need to find the support.

Go Here For Canon Support

Go Here For Epson Support

Go Here For Hewlett Packard (HP) Support

Go Here For Lexmark Support

Go Here For Dell Support
Go Here For Mac Support

Go Here For IBM Support

Go Here For Gateway Support

Go Here For Microsoft Support

Go Here For ipod Support

As you can see this list is not exhaustive. But, with your help we can make it a darn nice resource. So, send me your best support sites and I'll add them here.

Just pop them into the comments section and I'll add them as soon as I standardize them and check the links for functionality.

Peace!

Reg Adkins writes on technology, behavior and the human experience at (elementaltruths.blogspot.com).

26 Tips to Keep Your Computer Up and Functioning

2007-02-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

(This post originally appeared on Lifehack.org)

Open Loops blogger Bert Webb and I often collaborate on projects, include guesting at each others functions. At a recent presentation I did on “Effective Workplace Communication” the laptop I was using to run my PowerPoint presentation became possessed by evil juju and began a spontaneous series of automated functions ending in a system shutdown. Bert and I had different theories about why this occurred at this particular moment in the great cosmos. But, one thing we did agree on is “technology is a great thing…when it works!” And Murphy’s’ Law can be suspended.

Based on that I have put together the following list that usually keeps me functioning.
When I loose productive time at work it is usually because of a problem I have encountered with my computer. And any time I have a computer problem it is usually related to one of the following items. In order to be a little proactive I have build this little checklist. I have automated as many of them as I can and if much of your livelihood depends on your technology functioning smoothly I suggest you consider doing the same.

Computer Maintenance Checklist

At system setup
Install a surge suppressor/emergency shutdown power strip
Register your software products
Schedule automated updates
Read the maintenance section of your manual
Set up your email to auto-archive older messages
Install anti virus software
Install anti-advertising software
Put your software drivers in a pocket sleeve 3 ring binder

Weekly
Run a disk scan to check for hard drive issues
Run a defragmentation program
Run a clean up to delete unneeded files
Back up your files to a remote location
Empty your recycle bin
Delete your Internet files
Clear your browsing history
Delete your cookies
Update your virus definitions
Run a full virus scan

Monthly
Check for updates
Delete/uninstall unneeded or unused programs
Quarterly
Clean your keyboard
Clean your monitor
Clean your peripherals
Rebuild your desktop
Change all your passwords

Yearly
Renew your software update and anti virus subscriptions
Reg Adkins writes on behavior and the human experience at (elementaltruths.blogspot.com).

10 Tips for Optimum Printer Functionality

2007-02-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

Since the tips I posted on computer maintenance at lifehack.org and lifehacker.com received such a large (albeit mixed) response, I thought a follow up on printers might be appropriate at this time.

1. Clean your print head once per month. Remove the cartridge and clean the head with a little warm water. Don't use alcohol or tissues. After the head is COMPLETELY dry, pop the cartridge in and out a few times to assure a good connection.

2. Use the printer several times a week. If you don't use it, the ink dries up and the heads clog. Do a full color print at least once per week.

3. Use compressed air to blow out the interior at least once per month. Paper leaves residue as it travels through the printer. Failing to clean out this "dust" can cause big problems. Don't use a vacuum. Their is too great a risk of a static charge.

4. Don't touch the bottom of the ink cartridge when you change it. It is delicate and touching it can ruin the quality of your print.

5. Pay attention to the little light thingies. Most printers have built in diagnostics. Ignoring maintenance lights can cause trouble down the road.

6. Turn it off. If your not going to use your printer for a long period, turn it off. Printers generate heat when they are on. Head dries cartridges and dry ink clogs heads.

7. Resist the urge to do back to back cleaning runs. Give the ink some time to flow between cycles.

8. Don't let your ink run completely out. Running dry creates unwanted wear and tear on your print heads.

9. Keep your manual in the same three ring binders as you software drivers for your computer.*

10. Remember to register your product with the manufacturer.

*If you find that you have misplaced those manuals mentioned in number 9, you may find these resources helpful.
Go Here For Canon Support
Go Here For Epson Support
Go Here For Hewlett Packard (HP) Support
Go Here For Lexmark Support
Go Here For Dell Support

Reg Adkins writes on behavior and the human experience at (elementaltruths.blogspot.com).