Letting go of perfection

"The power of discovery enables us to achieve excellence without having to be "perfect.'" – Thomas Crum, The Magic of Conflict I arrived at the conference center ready to present my workshop. Almost immediately I noticed the room was too small and it was not set up as requested. There were no flipcharts and there were tables, though I had specifically asked for open space. I caught myself and smiled. I drew the word D I S C O V E R Y in large letters on a piece of newsprint and put it at the front of the room as a reminder. Discovery One of my favorite words, the concept of Discovery excites the brain, conjures up lost treasure, desert islands, new inventions, and old relics, something that was – up to now – unknown. Explorers discover new lands, scientists discover cures for diseases, and philosophers seek to discover the truth. What about discovering each other? Learning what is new and important in each of our neighbors, friends, family, colleagues; what has been lost in the daily grind of work; truths, values, and hopes that are yet to be revealed? Discovery. A lovely word. I first came to appreciate Discovery in The Magic of Conflict, where Thomas Crum describes it as a magical domain that "allows us to move beyond the fight, beyond success, to an open realm of possibility." When we’re in Discovery mode, we are spontaneous, curious, fascinated, and appreciative of life in all its diversity. Young children live in Discovery and sometimes we do. Katharine Hepburn lived a life of stardom but never lost her childlike fascination with people and life. Thomas Edison’s famous quotation after many attempts at inventing the light bulb shows a person in Discovery mode: "I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work!" Perfection What’s the opposite of Discovery? Perfection – a place with which we're all too familiar. In Perfection, things have to be done right, we have to look good, get good grades, and win the games we play. Our standards are high, and failure is to be avoided at all costs. In daily conflicts, sometimes at the expense of our dearest relationships, we have to prevail. When we feel attacked we fight back, sometimes with our own hurtful words, or with behavior calculated to control, manipulate and diminish. Shifting Gears According to Tom Crum, when we shift into Discovery, we treat mistakes as outcomes and conflicts as opportunities to learn and understand more of the world and our partners. We stop being afraid to fail because there is no failure, only increased awareness and experience. We enter a world of wonder, spontaneity, and fun. What Can I Learn Here? We shift into Discovery, not with judgment, but with awareness – by moving from "How can I be right about this?" to: "What can I learn here?" When I'm angry because I just missed a three-foot putt, Discovery changes self-judgment into an opportunity for learning. In the middle of a tough meeting with your department manager, try asking yourself - "What can I learn here?" What is it about this issue that's important to each of us? Upon arriving home, you find your life partner upset. Your first reaction is that it's something you did. But wait! "What can I learn here?" jumps into your thoughts, and you ask: "Honey, you seem upset. Anything I can help with?" And you hear: "I'm just worried that I won’t finish this new project they gave me at work in time." Or your teenager is exhibiting new habits that have you worried. It's worth checking out what the worldview is from her perspective before reaching a judgment. We’ve all experienced moments of Discovery when we break through to a new understanding. It’s a powerful place that we like and want to revisit. The challenge is to choose to go there on purpose, especially in difficult situations. Katharine Hepburn has been quoted as saying, "Wouldn’t it be great if people could get to live suddenly as often as they die suddenly?" Shifting from perfection to Discovery is the way. Try it. Discover for yourself.

Workplace romance tips the best inter office memo to remember

For most young career people, they find spending nearly 35% of their time at the workplace than at their respective homes. That accounts to almost 9 hours of work, work, and work. For this reason, most of the people involved in this kind of situation find themselves out of place in the social world because they simply do not have time to meet other people anymore. In fact, they do not even have time for themselves. That is why it is not such an appalling revelation when some surveys showed how 67.8% of the respondents, all working but in different companies, are into relationship with their colleagues. This goes to show that because of the time constraint that most professionals have and because of the lack of sociable time that they need, most of them divert to the aspect of getting a romantic partner in the office instead. Most of those who are involved in this kind of relationship contend that their workplace seemed to be a natural breeding ground for romantic couples since they are together for more than 40 hours within the week. Also, they asserted that creating a relationship in the office is inevitable because most of them get along with each other well based on the premise that they revolve around the same environment that initiates common interests, beliefs, and backgrounds. However, because of some professional etiquette around the office, some companies despise the idea of having their employees being involved with each other. The bosses believe that romantic and intimate relationships may bring about negligence on their respective jobs. Moreover, certain flaws are seen on this kind of relationship. There is a higher probability that the couple might have a conflict of concern with regards to their respective duties in the office and their duties and responsibilities with each other. Therefore, for those who cannot help but fall in love while doing monthly inventories, here is a list of some workplace romance tips to keep you out of the brink of disaster: 1. Think first before deciding Before deciding on this matter, it would be better to think first, probably a hundred…no make that a thousand times before deciding on it. Try to contemplate on the possible consequences and benefits that you can get from the relationship. If the relationship will not work out, will you be ready to face the consequences? 2. Evaluate each prospect Establishing a worthwhile relationship with your colleagues should primarily be based on its being worthy for a date. It would be better if you will evaluate on the upshots of dating the person based on his or her position in the company, its value, and the possible corollaries of the separation, if ever. For instance, if you want to ask your colleague on a date, try to contemplate first on the issue of rivalry between you and your officemate and the rough situation that both of you may be in after the breakup. Also, try to look the possible angle of biasness for bosses dating their subordinates. The issue of “favoritism” may take place. 3. Be smart Keep in mind that the reason why God placed our minds above our hearts is for the mind to rule above all. So if you are suddenly being snooped with some seniority in the office, do not be deceived yet. Try to test this person for some reliability quizzes and put him more on hot water. The point here is that if ever he is trying to establish a good romantic relationship with you, it is better to be assured that his intentions are for real and just because he is looking for some diversion in the office. 4. Friendships as the best foundation For a budding romantic relationship in the office, it is best to keep focused on creating friendships first. This is because some people believed that friendship, as the core foundation of any relationship, is better than just a break-from-work relationship. Given all that, workplace romance can be really fun and dreamy. However, one or both of them should realize that office romances are not based on a contract that can expires when the time allotted has elapsed. It would be better to hear these kinds of relationships to last a lifetime, even if both of them have already retired from their jobs.

Top performing blue angels citizen titanium watch

The Citizen Blue Angels titanium watch is a technologically advanced pilot timepiece designed in honor of the Blue Angels legendary precision flying team of the U. S. Navy. The Blue Angels, first commissioned to perform in 1946, are now stationed at Forrest Sherman Field at Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida. To date they have performed for more than 400 million military and civilians. Part of the Citizen Skyhawk eco-drive watch line, this watch is an angel in its own right. It sports the blue and yellow Blue Angels colors, and their banner including the logo of the Blue Angel squadron on the back of the watchcase. The hour markers and the hands are illuminated on the deep blue face of the dial. It has three subdials and a beautiful blue bi-functional slide rule bezel. This Citizen Blue Angels watch is made of titanium - lighter and stronger than stainless steel. This memorable pilot watch has a four year power reserve, a 30 city, 22 time zone calendar and time, three alarms, a countdown timer up to 99 minute duration, and accuracy of 1/100th of a second each 24 hours. With this Citizen Blue Angels titanium watch you can choose analog or digital time, changing it at the easy touch of one button. Your pilot watch will advise you when it's time to reset time, and when your battery charge is low. Water resistant to 330 feet, it also has a safety clasp feature with an easy push button release. The Citizen Skyhawk titanium has a great five-year warranty, for a watch Citizen watches are famous. These pilot watches retail for a little over $500.

13 Comparisons of vista vs tiger

Competitive and fast are two terms that are applicable to the world of computers. Constantly changing and evolving computer systems bring many advantages to the users and techies alike. The race for supremacy between the yet to be launched Vista (scheduled for 2006) and Mac OSX Tiger began in 2003 with Microsoft’s announcements of plans for an integrated desktop search functionality in Windows Vista. While opinions vary and are really personal choices in many ways, the following sums up the functionalities between Vista and Tiger. 1. Vista has a completely redesigned look and feel; it is aesthetic, functional, and exciting according to industry sources. Mac Tiger on the other hand was always famous for its technology and aesthetics which are clean and clutter free. In fact, many of the visual effects that Vista has like translucent icons, high resolution, and animation effects have been integral to Tiger for more than four years. 2. Vista is yet to resolve problems caused by underlying windows, while Tiger has fine tuned the bleed caused by windows beneath the surface ones. 3. The 128 x 128 pixel icons of Tiger have better rendition and clearer resolution than the 32 x 32 or 64 x 64 pixel icons of Vista. However one will only know whether Vista will have resolution independent vector graphics once the final version comes to the market. 4. Both Vista and Tiger have closely similar desk top search functions. The only immediate difference is that in Tiger the filtering becomes operational only after creation of a Smart Folder or using the shortcut keys. The Virtual Folder of Vista is identical to the Smart Folder of Tiger. 5. Vista has next generation features, where the system has enough inbuilt intelligence that organizes data. This fine tunes any searches that need to be done. In comparison to this, the Tiger has an old fashioned system with no specials. 6. Vista supports meta data processing while with Tiger meta data can be created or edited only by using document processing applications. 7. Vista permits users to visually locate files while Tiger does not. Image previews in Tiger are turned off by default. 8. As far as security is concerned the Tiger is by far superior to Vista. Since the Tiger user base is small the number of hackers and attackers are fewer as compared to Windows. 9. User accounts and log ins are safer in the Tiger system and Microsoft plans to incorporate similar systems in Vista to strengthen security. 10. Vista has new systems similar to Tiger that will enable users to assert parental locks or blocks. Parental controls help limit computer usage by children protecting them from several dangers. 11. Security in Vista includes inbuilt protection against rogue attacks, malware, spyware, adware and so on. In the case of Tiger its security system has remained secure and unbreached. Whether Vista will earn the same distinction will be known only after it comes into use. 12. Both Vista and Tiger have great networking features making both immensely usable both at home and in businesses. The Tiger is simpler while Vista is a bit more complex to use. 13. The hibernation mode works instantly in Tiger and Vista is also trying to match its facilities. While the above draws tentative comparisons between the two systems a true evaluation can only be made once Vista is released in its completed version and comes into use.

Classroom management plan

When developing classroom plans and teaching methods, many teachers use collaborative learning techniques. This generally involves intergroup learning and the use of verbal interaction. Where the teacher is not just teaching, rather giving the students an opportunity to learn through interpersonal interaction. Some use peer groups for classroom management, thereby creating more time for personal interaction with individual students. Others use this teaching strategy to enhance students' motivation by making class work more "fun." Still others believe that collaborative learning can provide valuable opportunities for students to work together across ethnic and gender lines, thereby facilitating friendships. All of these reasons for the use of collaborative group work are worthy goals in classroom instruction. Seldom, however, is conceptual learning the primary goal behind the use of collaborative group techniques. Following is a classroom plan that enables effective classroom management of time, and organization of activities for children. Prepare a schedule that allows time for learning as well fun and activities. Rearrange the daily schedule, go outside to read, give clipboards to students and go outside to draw, have a theme day. For instance for every first Monday of the Month, students can come dressed in the colors of the rainbow, or for older students, they come dressed creatively in some historical attire and bring along something that they have that relates to that attire. Discussing these makes a good start for the day. These are of course just ideas and leave room for the teachers’ ingenuity. Begin the day with bell work, which is an introductory task or activity that should get them into the learning mode. From then on the lesson plan can be followed with regular fun intervals and breaks. Ask the students to write once or twice a week: What did you learn today? for instance, and also take them outside on the school grounds and ask them to study something specific, be it the actions of a gardener, a butterfly or even the different kinds of flowers in the garden. Then ask them to write about them. This provides for the leisure and fun time activities. When passing out tests or worksheets or notices, write the names of absent students on the papers left. When students arrive to begin the day, have them remove everything that will be needed during the day. Have a rule: NO one may get into a backpack during the day. Write a red M in the top right corner on all Master copies. This will distinguish the Master from a copy very easily and prevent accidentally passing out the master to a student. Always spend the last few minutes of the day and review: Hopefully, when parents ask about the day, students will have an answer other than "Nothing!" In addition in particular classroom activities can be assigned to different students individually or in pairs. For instance someone can be made the monitor, to clean the blackboard, someone can be the chair stacker, someone can be the timekeeper etc. This way the small tasks that need to be completed through the class are managed by the students enabling them to take responsibility. One key here that adheres to the theories on classroom management by Howard Glasser and Dreiker, is that of collaborative and verbal interaction learning. Throughout the class time students should be involved with verbal interaction with the teacher. The day should be planned such that it gives time and opportunity for all different students to have a special moment. Some experts believe that every student can have a focus week, where he/she gets a few minutes in the beginning of every class to share his life with the students. It not only aids in interpersonal learning, as well as linguistic learning, but it also makes the students feel special. Bibliography Chizhik, Alexander W., Collaborative learning through high-level verbal interaction: from theory to practice.. Vol. 72, The Clearing House, 09-19-1998, pp 58(4).

Cheap laptops great offers

As fall sets in, the markets get ready to meet the flurry of gifting that will soon begin. As the world is becoming much more technological with every passing day, people are looking for different types of gifts. One of the most popular requests for both young and old people today is the laptop computer. There are a number of different laptops that are going to be in high demand. Each one presents a different set of features that could fit your needs or the requirements of your family members. Though there is no such thing as a truly cheap laptop, there will certainly be some supersavers for consumers this year. Sony VAIO VGN-FZ140E/B Notebook PC The Sony VAIO VGN-FZ140E/B notebook PC is pegged as being the top seller for 2007. As a top product, you might think that you would have to pay an arm and a leg to get a great deal. That is not completely true, as there are some deals to be had if you are ready to do an extensive search. As a true value pick in the laptop computer industry, this high quality notebook can be easily purchased online for the low price of $1,099. There are many reasons why one may have one's heart set on this one. For one, it brings a high powered process with 1.8 GHz worth of power. That Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 processor is one of the frontrunners in the processor markets, meaning that you would be purchasing a state of the art machine. In addition to that, the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ140E/B notebook PC comes with 2 GB of RAM, though an upgrade to 4 GB can be managed for a little extra. This machine features a brilliant, beautiful, and highly functional display. This indicates that it not only works well, but also has a great appearance. The internal features, coupled with the fact that it comes standard with the new Windows Vista Home operating system, make this computer a must have product for those who are shopping for these babies. HP Pavilion DV6426US 15.4" Notebook PC The HP Pavilion DV6426US Notebook PC is one of the hottest new laptops that are going to hit the markets this year. It is a computer that is designed to function at a very high level for any person who tends to use entertainment applications extensively. In addition to that capability, this laptop features a great looking 15.4 inch BrightView display. This is one of the reasons why people will be choosing this laptop if they are going to be watching movies or working with music applications. If you are a person who takes photos for a living, then you will be happy to work with this computer's highly functional digital photo library. You will experience all of this for a considerable discount, as the asked retail price for this product is just under $850. When it comes to power the HP Pavilion DV6426US Notebook PC has a lot to offer. Inside, you will find an Intel 2.0 GHz Core Duo T2450. This is one of the most powerful and newest processors on the market, so you will be sure to get a computer that works fast. In addition to that, you can make use of the 1 GB of RAM that is included in standard installation. This laptop also has a number of other conveniences that one might want, including Wi-Fi capability and VoIP service. This laptop is equipped with Windows Vista Home Premium edition, so you should have all of the features that are essential features of this system. Windows will help take the entertainment capacity of your machine and make it a more enjoyable experience. You will be able to play DVD movies, compact disks, and access music files through Windows Media Player. If you choose, you can even decide to get ready to watch the best television shows through your computer, as well. Apple MacBook The Apple MacBook is becoming very popular among young people in today's highly technical, Internet based world. If you are looking to make someone happy with a gift during this holiday season, then the Apple MacBook would be a good choice. More people are adopting Mac laptop computers in recent months and they are realizing that the company has some terrific laptops on offer. MacBook is certainly the best looking laptop computer that you will find. Apple has made sure that their products are the most chic computers on the market and that has been taken to heart by the young customers who are keen to purchase their first laptop computers. With 2 GB of RAM installed, the computer will also have room to keep just about everything that you could want to store. The Apple MacBook packs a huge punch in providing something a little bit different from the standard laptop computer. You will be able to provide a great gift idea for your loved ones for around $1,200. It is certainly a good deal for a good computer.

Emerging trends in ladies handbags and purses

Bags can either make or break an outfit. Gals who are into bags know this fact and are very much careful in picking up the bag that could suit their outfits. If you are someone who is greatly into fashion, you probably have the feeling of lusting over gorgeous trends of bags. People, particularly women, always look for something fresh that will complete their wardrobe. It’s a constantly emerging trend each year. And this is what women look forward to. As the year starts, new designs of handbags and purses will definitely entice the craving eyes of fashionistas. Like other kinds of fashion, footwear and clothing, the trend of bags is another work of history. It comes and it goes and it comes back. What makes it fresh is the color and outfit it perfectly goes with. To make your whole year fashionably perfect, get to know the emerging trends of handbags and purses for this year. Clutch Handbag It's the hottest shape of the year. Grab one for your own. With this vintage and retro-looking handbag, you will definitely sport a flair for an antique style. A cluth handbag is perfect for ladies on the go. Many businesswomen like it because they can just take it anywhere they go. This small cute thing is actually big enough to hold your things. Patent Handbag It's a chic handbag for everyday use. Whether you would like to go on a formal meeting or spend a night out with your friends, this patent handbag goes perfectly with any occasion; smooth or funk. Mini Handbag You were drowned by last year's huge bags. Now is the time to go mini. Get the basics, put them inside your mini handbag and you are ready to go! Metallic Handbag With its luster, no wonder it's been coming back the trend. Just pick some fabulous color and have a refreshing look on the metallic trend that's been a part of the past. Convertible Handbag Hang it across your body or over your shoulder or use it in a handbag mode, it doesn't matter. This gives the lady the always prepared effect. Convert it, pull the strap longer and you are on the go mode. Convert it and pull the straps shorter and you are now in the chic mode. Pocket Handbag Women are fond of small things in nature; wallet, coin purse, key chain, mobile phone, organizer and others. But the thing is women are also forgetful in nature. Thus a pocket handbag is perfect for these women. With lots of pockets in it, all your small things have a space without giving you the hardship of looking for them inside your bag. White Handbag With all the different colors that go along with the trend, white stands out. Nothing feels fresher than carrying with you a clean white handbag. It's trendy and refreshing. Oversized bags The trend changes very often. However, there are always some that do not go with the change. Still, some shapes and size remain every season and oversized handbags are one of them. Nothing beats a bag that carries everything you need. It is perfect for those who love to work and those who are always on the go. Put some pieces of your shirt, towel, personal hygiene necessities, cosmetics and even one extra pair of shoes and you are ready to go. Remember that a handbag is a big part of one's outfit. It should fit your body type. Being in the trend is a plus but check if it’s right for you. Don't be shy to try on these handbags at the store. Check if it looks good on you and if it feels comfortable wearing it. If not, don't hesitate to try another one. Do not forget that bags can actually flatter your looks as much as a pair of jeans does. Moreover, bags do not ruin your looks. So put some sense of style and taste when picking a bag of your choice. You already know the hottest handbags of the year, now is the time to check your wardrobe. Do you have them? If you do, check if the color goes with the trend, take them out and give some refreshing look on them. But of course, fresh is fresh and fresh is new and be fresh by checking out some of the hottest bags this year. You worked hard last year and it wouldn't harm you to reward yourself at the start of the year with some of what a woman like you fancy most - and if you know someone who is a bag lady, perhaps your mother, sister, wife or girlfriend, make her happy by giving her one the hottest bags this year. It will surely paint a smile on her face.