doug smith training

Do you ever daydream about the past? How you would have done some things differently? If you could go back in time would you be the same person you are today? Of course, we can't go back in time, but we can learn from it. Things that we would change point in directions we might want to consider for now. People we might have offended may still be waiting for our amends. Opportunities we may have squandered might still be there -- or might beckon us toward new opportunities we have been missing. We don't need to regret what we missed. There's so much good that's still ahead of us. What have you learned from your past experiences? -- Doug Smith

Where would you be if it weren't for your excuses? Could it be that you would have achieved more? Could it be that some of those elusive goals would not have been so elusive? There's no sense in pointing fingers. I know I've dropped a few excuses when lifting the weight would have been more effective. Let's just agree not to make any more excuses, OK? Goals don't respond to excuses. It takes our actions. It takes our persistence. It takes our courage and creativity. But not excuses. We'll all go farther without those silly things, don't you think? -- Douglas Brent Smith

A learning activity from the program "Developing Creativity" Purpose : Make a point by clearly creating a collage with a figure (point of focus) and a ground (background). Build a sense of artistic perspective. Practice shifting fields to create flexibility and possibilities. Arts concept : Figure/Ground Materials : Magazines, paper, glue, scissors, pictures. Process: In art, the concept of figure/ground refers to a way of looking at a piece so that part of the picture is the main focal point while the rest is the field or background. In some famous optical illusion pieces the figure andP field can shift creating the se nse of illusion. Here’s what to do: 1. Gather a set of collage materials. 2. Cut shapes and pictures as you think about a theme. (your theme could be your topic or part of your program/event topic, or the participants could select one such as building relationships, solving problems, leading effectively, staying positive, devel

A creative problem solving activity. Purpose: Create deep conversations around perceived truths. Materials:  Talking stick or microphone. Seating:  Circle Process: As we travel thru life we learn a few things. Things we were once certain about change and feel less certain. Things we did not believe or know emerge as our new truth. Do you believe in lasting truth? Do you hold a few beliefs that you feel will stand the test of time? Follow the CLUES for Success guidelines and when it is your turn, share 3 to 5 beliefs that you think are certain. Options: To prime the pump, share some “certainties” from others in short phrases or quotes. Some  examples: (Doug’s list) • The truth will always bubble to the top. • God is love. • Everything is personal. • Nothing is ever off-the-record. Expand: A. Use recording equipment to create a visual record of people providing their wisdom. As a group, edit and produce a film. B. Play with figure/ground con

No boots required! Join us for a fun filled, game driven, community building weekend of improvisation. You will work and play with an improv coach and a group of people ready to take your talent to the next level via improvisation. Build your acting skills, practice your creativity, and develop new ways of expressing yourself in group settings. Using a wide variety of improv games, expert coaching, and acting exercises you’ll be able to: §   Explore and practice improvisational basics §   Develop a “where” a “why” and a “who” inside a scene §   Build your self-confidence §   Improve how you work with other people §   Create fun and collaborative stage environments §   Develop believable characters §   Increase your on stage energy §   Learn the basic techniques of improvisation §   Stop going for the laugh and get more laughs §   Practice the art of instant drama Camp runs from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm Friday, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday. Light r

Do people interrupt your work on your own goals because they want you to work on theirs? How do you get back on track? How to you keep your focus on your own goals? People mean well. It's a good thing that their goals are important to them. And, in many cases we find the time to help them with their goals and sometimes they reciprocate. That's healthy. What's a problem is getting so pulled into someone else's situation that your own goals go untended. That does not lead to success or happiness. Here are some ways to keep your focus on your own goals: 1. Schedule time to work on them. Keep that time inviolate. When people interrupt, let them know when you will be available and not until then. 2. Post your goals so that others can see what you're working on. If you've written them skillfully enough, other people may interrupt so that they can work on YOUR goals. 3. Find an isolated placed to work on your goals (I'm doing that right now to avoid interruption!

Do you like being followed up on your goals? I really think goals are important. Helping people achieve their goals is what I do. And yet -- and yet, when I get followed up on, it can irritate me. I didn't expect it. It feels rough. And yet it helps me get that goal achieved. This week I've been working with a nurse because my mom just got out of the hospital. Part of the deal was getting her medications in order, organizing them and helping her get them into one of those pill boxes for the week arrangements. Between doctor and physical therapy appointments, trips to the grocery store, and shuttling people around I just didn't quite get around to buying that pill container.  Until the nurse followed up with me. Then, guess what. I bristled just a little, and then I went out and bought it. Mom's pills are all nicely organized now, thank you very much. And thank you nurse Linda, for the follow-up. How do you react to follow-up? Are you getting all the follow-up you need

How will you inspire yourself to work on your goals today? Today, out of nowhere, this little acronym occurred to me: GOALS Go strong Overcome obstacles Act relentlessly Learn constantly Serve the greater good What do you think? Maybe it's not a whole training program. Maybe it's not a teleclass. Time will tell. But, it makes sense for today, don't you think? Goals require us to go strong and act decisively. We must take action! When we do take action we are likely to experience resistance (from ourselves and from others) so it makes sense to work to overcome those obstacles. Don't let them stop us. Move forward. Which brings us to the need to act relentlessly. We'll get distracted. We'll be given new work to do. Relationships will bring up new needs. But even while all that and more is going on we much work our plan. We must act relentlessly on our plan. When we are assertively working on a plan we are likely to make some mistakes. New opportunities arise. Th

How many root causes does your problem have? Much of our time as problem solvers is spent on finding the root cause. Where does our problem originate? What is the source of our trouble? Could that be a bit of a myth? Is it possible that one root cause has created the situation we now see as a problem?  Probably not. It is more likely a combination of connections. There are probably many sources of the problem. There are probably many contributing factors. Sure, there may be one origination point -- but by the time the problem has come to your attention there are connections in places you haven't even looked yet. Think of some of your gnarly problems: - teams that have trouble communicating - leaders who treat people unfairly - customers who dominate your time unprofitably - supplies that run out when you need them the most - an inaccurate or impossible to measure inventory - meetings that seem to last forever and go nowhere - products that sell without making margin - p

Here is a fascinating animation on The Future of Learning.

How does it feel when you solve a problem? Do you get a great sense of satisfaction? Does it build your confidence? Whether or not you notice it, each time that you solve a problem your skills grow, your confidence fills, your ability to solve other problems improves. You grow. Each problem that we solve brings us closer to perfection. Doesn't that make you eager to solve the next problem? --  Doug Smith

Have you got dreams? Big hopes for what your perfect life would look like? That's great. Build on those dreams. Nurture those dreams. Hold onto your dreams -- but for goodness sakes, DO something about them. Get off of the balcony and down into the action. Make your goals matter -- set them into motion. Get busy today. -- Douglas Brent Smith