Curious about the state of digital SLR cameras today?

This quick review will provide you with the BIG POINTS to keep in mind as you go shopping for a new digital SLR.

MAIN FEATURES

• Interchangeable Lenses - you can swap the lens on a digital SLR as much as you like
• Optical Viewfinders - what you see through the viewfinder is what you get in the final image
• Large Sensors - increased sensor size (vs. compact cameras) allows SLRs to capture high-quality photos in low-light conditions
• High Speed - these cameras are FAST, with instant startup times and zero delay between shutter press and image capture

Before I dig into some of these features in more detail, let’s review the features that are “missing” from digital SLR cameras, at least when you compare them to their compact cousins.

WHAT’S MISSING

• No Movies - digital SLR cameras don’t capture movies. They’re for still photography ONLY
• No LCD Previews - many digital SLRs don’t display a preview of the image you’re about to take on the LCD (with some notable exceptions)
• Not Compact - digital SLRs can’t fit into a pocket - even the compact ones are quite large and bulky (the lens can add a lot of size and weight)

EMERGING TRENDS
Now that we’ve gotten the high level summary out of the way, let’s talk more about some of the developing trends in digital SLR camera technology.

I used to recommend caution when buying a 10 megapixel camera, since you only need 10 megapixels if you want to aggressively crop your photos or make gigantic prints. I really can’t do that anymore, because the manufacturers are making cameras with anything less obsolete.

While there used to be a hearty crop of 6 megapixel SLRs to choose from (which is PLENTY if you enjoy making 8×10 and 4×6 prints) today there are fewer and fewer and every new camera on the horizon is packed with 10 megapixels.

Another steady trend is the increasing size of the LCD screens, paired with a decrease in the size of the camera body.

While 1.8 inch LCDs used to be standard, the new baseline in LCD size is 2.5 inches. These larger screens help you to review the photo that you just took, and make it easier to change settings on the camera using the menus.

On the flip side, the dimensions of digital SLR cameras continue to decrease. First-generation digital SLRs were huge and heavy, and not the sort of cameras that you wanted to carry on a day hike.

Today, manufactuers are trying to make their SLRs as compact as possible, in order to make them more attractive to consumers who don’t want to lug around giant cameras all the time. Pentax started the trend with their small and light line of *ist cameras, and now Canon and Nikon have followed suit (with the Rebel xTi and D40 respectively).

SPECIAL FEATURES
A year ago, digital SLR cameras competed on a variety of standard features: megapixels, camera size, continuous photo speed, LCD size, and the number of different photography modes.

Recently there’s been an emergence of three new “extra” features that are included on a limited number of cameras.

• Dust Control - dust can get on your camera’s sensor when you’re chaning a lens, and shows up in every photo you take. Dust control is designed to prevent this.
• Image Stabilization - this feature helps you take clear photos in low-light conditions when you can’t use a flash
• Live View LCD - this shows a preview of the image you’re about to take, much like the LCD on every compact digital camera

Olympus pioneered the dust control technology (their name for it is a SuperSonic Wave Filter) and other companies are beginning to adopt it using their own proprietary names.

While image stabilized lenses have been around for years, the addition of image stabilization (IS) to the camera body (which works with ANY lens) is a more recent innovation. The first cameras to use it were the now-obsolete Konica Minolta Maxxum cameras. Konica Minolta sold their operations to Sony, who adopted the IS technology in their Alpha A100 camera.

Now, built-in IS is also included in cameras made by Pentax, Olympus and Samsung.

Live LCD screens are another Olympus innovation, which has not been as readily adopted by other manufacturers. To date, only two other non-Olympus cameras have live view LCDs: the high-end professional Canon 1D Mark III and the fairly expensive Panasonic DMC-L1.

THE PRICES
There was a day when you couldn’t get a decent digital SLR camera for anything less than $2,000. I’m happy to say that those days are long gone.

Now many new digital SLR cameras debut with prices under $800, and these prices simply decrease as time goes on (SLR cameras are a lot like cars and computers in that sense).

Let me be clear though: digital SLR cameras are still not competitively priced with many of the compact digital cameras. You cannot find ANY digital SLR camera for less than $400, and the cameras that are less than $600 have limited feature sets.

What’s your best bet if you’re looking for an inexpensive digital SLR?

Go online and hunt around for models from 2005 and 2006. The manufactuers release several new cameras each year, and while many of the older cameras are still quite capable, you can’t find any stores that sell them new.

Many owners of first and second-generation digital SLR cameras are looking to upgrade to the latest and greatest, so you have the opportunity to snatch up their old cameras at bargain-basement prices.

Chris Roberts helps consumers find the best digital SLR cameras, lenses and accessories at the Digital SLR Guide. The site offers a free newsletter and digital SLR lessons to help you get the most out of your camera.

BE INFORMED ABOUT ANXIUS

I have experienced various degrees of anxiety and depression for many years. Probably too many given I just didn’t act. But then, that’s one of symptoms isn’t it. Until a small part of you says ” enough is enough”. That’s why I looked into Anxius. Here is some important information to help you make a decision about using Anxius. To your mind health!

Anxius is a natural alternative to medically prescribed antidepressants. It has been astutely researched to provide relief to sufferers of mild to severe depression and anxiety.

You will be aware of the huge upsurge in the use of herbs in our western culture over the last 20 years. From herb gardens to the well overdue acceptance as medicinal alternatives to western medicine. Centuries of traditional herbal medicine cannot be wrong.

Anxius is no exception. It contains herbal passion flower, l-tyrosine, bioperine and vinpocatine. These may not mean anything to you but combined they mean a lot to many users of anxius. Why?

Because:

1/ These natural herbs have been used for centuries in China and Western Europe for the treatment of mental health.

2/ Passionflower and l-tyrosine actively improve the brains promotion of seretonin and endorphins.

3/ Bioperine and vinpocetine assist the medication to remain in the persons system for hours after consumption.

Anxius, (and other herbal formulas using other ingredients), works to equip your brain with the necessary physiological tools needed to bring your neurotransmitter levels back to a healthy balance. The working ingredients (above) in Anxius are said to provide the exact nutrient supplements that your brain requires to be able to correct itself within days and sometimes hours.

PRESCRIPTIONS OR CHOICE?

In general herbal medicines require no prescription. Some may feel this does not protect them from the “authority” or “credibility” felt by mainstream drug manufacturers. That’s very understandable. However, one of the strengths of herbal medicines is that one can try various formulas (with doctors supervision) knowing that, in the main, the side effects, if any, are negligible ( assuming you are not taking a prescription drug at the same time). This way, ones own physiology can be better matched to a herbal medicine instead of a ” one size fits all ” approach used by prescription drugs.

Ultimately it comes down to owning your own thoughts, not those of the marketers, however good their product is. It’s about accepting that your mind, your body and your spirit is unique and we cannot know all the variables that contribute this uniqueness. Oh boy, this leads into other areas of discussion not relevant to this site.

Whether you choose ANXIUS or not know that both mainstream and herbal medicines have their place and role. It’s a matter of letting go of having to know the answer before you act. You can’t. Experience and intuition will do that for you if you let it.

Then go forth and let it!

To your - mind health.

Dane

Dane Tannahill is a father of 5 and husband of 1 (Mary). His enquiry into Anxius will help fellow sufferers make a decision about whether to include it in their lives.

Next time you’re browsing around in a book shop, take a look at the names on the audio tapes. You might be surprised about how many names you recognize. Recently, publishing companies have begun to see the potential held in audio books, and have been producing more and more of their printed best sellers in audio book format. The audio book market has grown so popular that celebrities are now getting in on the action.

It is not uncommon for audio books to utilize different voice actors to portray the different characters in the book. Along with sound effects, music and sometimes a celebrity cast, audio books can become an entire production. These audio books are the ones that are getting the most exposure. Bill and Hilary Clinton, for example, achieved huge success when they produced their best selling books in audio format. This shows that people want very much to hear the stories straight out from the mouths of authors.

As with animated children’s movies, more celebrities are being drawn to doing the voices of the characters in children’s audio books. Parents are also reporting success in using children’s audio books as an aid for teaching their children how to read. With sound effects, music and songs, children are having more fun reading along; they are gaining more interest in reading books, not just listening to them.

If you are thinking right now, “Celebrities will do anything for money,” you are way off. The average pay to record a six hour long audio book, even for celebrities, is between $4,000 and $6,000. This is more like spare change for many of the higher paid celebrities out there. There are many reasons these highly paid, internationally famous celebrities agree to lend their voices to audio books. Some celebrities do it because they enjoyed reading the book so much that they want as many people as possible to enjoy the book, and help the author make the sales he or she deserves. Other celebrities do it because they want to help children learn to read, while some celebrities do it for political reasons. Whatever their reasons are, more and more celebrities are recording audio books, and sales have grown to an all time high.

Margret Lilin is the webmaster at AudioBookFanClub.com, an online mega store that provides a wide selection of discounted audio books in various categories. The site constantly gives away surprise gifts and bonuses to subscribers and customers. To search for bargain MP3 players please visit our sister site IncomePlaza.com

You are welcome to reprint and republish this article to your websites, blogs, ezines, online and off-line newsletters, etc as long as you do NOT change the article in full or in part, leave all of the links active, and the resource box is intact.

THE ART OF TIME

A few months ago I attended a local art gallery talk. Since then, I have often thought about one of the works that was exhibited in the show. During the talk, the artist had the opportunity to ask a lively audience what they thought her work was trying to convey. At first glance, all I saw was a rough white paper with a thin black line down the middle. After listening to a lot of our ideas, she explained that we were looking at a blank page in an open book. Looking at her date book filled with page after page of meetings, dinners, and other activities, she flipped forward to find blank pages with nothing on them. Her art was inspired by the idea of capturing that opportunity, the open space, where she could craft her future.

Strategic planning gives us the opportunity to make choices. It is hard to stop, even for a few minutes, and think about the white space. The pages in our calendars fill up easily without any major thought. It is only when we stop and think about the bigger picture, that we realize we have made important choices each time we put an entry in our calendar.

It is only when we define a vision of our future, that we can determine if the activities we choose each day are taking us closer, or further away from that vision.

What can you do right now to make time for strategic thinking?

THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING

Why spend time on planning when there are so many things to get done right now? There are many reasons and benefits- which include helping to:

Clarify where you are headed in a dynamic, changing environment
Set priorities
Reassess your resources, strengths, and key business assumptions
Focus your efforts (not to mention limited time and resources) on important, meaningful, goal
Stretch your abilities and apply more of your potential
Be realistic in order to set attainable goals
Measure progress
Become more comfortable with change because you have invested the time to fully assess the situation before jumping to action

YOU DON’T NEED TO DO IT ALL ON YOUR OWN

No matter how much thought, time and energy you put into planning for the future, it is often hard to see your own situation clearly. A coach can help you see new perspectives in order to create the right goals, and then support you to stay focused as challenges arise. It is always more effective to have a mentor, coach or friend that can help you stay focused on your vision and remind you of your strengths, then going it alone.

Helene Mazur, MBA, CFP is the founder of Princeton Performance Dynamics, a business coaching company. Helene coaches professionals, business owners and their teams to reach out of their comfort zone to achieve important goals and do more of what makes them come alive.

Her website is http://www.ppdbusinesscoaching.com

The easiest way is to add music, some people don’t like working out to music, but if you put on something that gets you moving and is upbeat, the time will fly by. It has to be the type of music that gets you bouncing in your seat and makes you feel strong and full of energy. Another way to make it fun is to bring along someone whose company you enjoy, don’t bring along your spouse if you are at odds that day, it won’t be a fun time. Take someone that you respect and will push you when you need it.

Mix up your workouts, if you belong to a club that offers a variety of classes, be brave and try them out. Don’t get tunnel vision, walk over to that favorite piece of equipment every time and just go through the motions, eventually it won’t be your favorite and not only will you get bored but you also run the risk of injury.

What motivates you? According to statistics about 71% of men and 62% of women are overweight, with 31 & 33 % respectively being obese. Our children are even catching up at 18% of males and 16% females are overweight or obese and are on the rise. Our children should not be overweight or obese; they are in their prime years. We spend about 117 billion dollars a year on obesity and health related issues and that doesn’t even include the more than 33 billion dollars a year spent on weight loss products. We are spending so much time and money trying to fight the problem after we find out we have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart problems. We take a look at ourselves and see that we are 20, 30 or even 40 pounds overweight and we just don’t feel as good as we use to.

Let’s say you go to the doctor and find out you are on your way toward getting diabetes. It’s an evil disease with so many complications. Up until now you work long hours, eat unhealthy and exercise is just another item on your to do list because you are taking care of everyone else. Now that you know where your health is heading are you going to make some changes? I certainly hope so, but now you’re already backed up against the wall and have to change everything all at once instead of taking the time to integrate changes. Do you think you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed? Did you know that if you are always in a state of stress it affects your ability to get the results you want?

Let’s talk about “fear based motivation”. You may fear getting heavier or you are starting to look like your mother. You may have even had a health scare; this stage is good because it motivates you to do something about your situation, but its not long lasting. Once you start to take action and the problem starts to fade, your fear dissipates and you go back to your old behaviors and relapse or hopefully you move onto the next stage, which will be discussed in my next article.

We are reacting to our individual situations after a health issue becomes evident. We need to be more proactive, change up what we do, stop making excuses and take action. Don’t wait until that doctor’s appointment. The weather is getting nicer out and remember you “Gotta Move It 2 Lose it! (SM)”

Wanda McCormick Owner/Trainer Perfect Fit Personal Training
http://www.perfectfitpersonaltraining.com
Certified Personal Trainer NPTI

SEEDS OF CHANGE

Despite enthusiastic beginnings, many well-intended plans never translate into action, and an even larger number lose momentum along the way. What enables good ideas and plans to take root? As a business coach, advocate and facilitator of strategic planning I have observed certain patterns when projects succeed and others when they stall. Intrigued, I spent some time researching the topic.

FOUR CONSIDERATIONS

After going through many articles and books on strategic planning and interviewing people in the planning profession, I have drawn some conclusions that may surprise you: Only a handful of factors play a large role in whether plans and projects move forward or stall.

There are four key ingredients:

1. The plan is important.
2. The goals are manageable and clearly defined.
3. Sufficient time has been allocated to execute the plan.
4. The plan has support

IS THE PLAN IMPORTANT?

Why undertake the initiative? For any change to be sustainable, it must be important to the organization. Clarity of purpose is key to selecting the right ideas to work on.

What are the benefits of success? Conversely, what are the consequences of failure? If the benefits and/or consequences aren’t significant then the challenges encountered become excuses to give up. Many plans don’t make it because at the end of the day they don’t make a difference.

When a plan truly matters even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.

ARE THE GOALS MANAGEABLE AND CLEARLY DEFINED?

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

After the initial dreaming stage ends any new project can cause anxiety. The stress often stems from uncertainty. Until an effort is analyzed and broken down into specific tasks it can be unclear how a larger project will be completed. Once time is devoted to creating logical, discrete tasks, the unknown becomes manageable. Unfortunately, many projects become paralyzed before the tasks are ever defined.

Without small, clearly defined goals it is difficult to measure progress or see one’s way through to successful completion of a project.

“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” Henry Ford (1863-1947)

IS THERE TIME?

Managing time frustrates all of us, especially when more work is being added to an already full plate. But to truly effect change, successful businesses allocate time for new activities. Here’s a good rule of thumb for a business owner or manager: Don’t spend more than 60-80% of your time on the routine activities of your daily work. Devote the remainder to the projects that will bring about change and improvement.

How will it all get done? More work with the same resources forces us to reevaluate and prioritize the current workload. Critical activities must still be supported. This generally means making some tough decisions about supporting activities that may not be important or finding ways to increase productivity.

There is a lot of excellent material written on time management. Here are a few great online resources:

http://www.managementhelp.org/prsn_prd/time_mng.htm
http://www.managementhelp.org/prsn_prd/basics.htm
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/makedecisions/SERV_MAKETIME.html

IS THERE SUPPORT?

It’s easy to get bogged down on a project when it doesn’t enjoy support. Without support most plans are impossible to implement. Support can come from clients, employees, partners, friends and/or your family. If there is a team, employees, or partners, it is critical to involve them in defining the agenda, determining how to tackle the effort and where to find the time.

A business mentor, confidante or coach can also play an important role in helping to translate good ideas into successful ventures. Business coaches are trained in understanding the differences in how people think and act. Some people focus on today others live in the future. Some thrive on planning, and others are quick to execute. A business coach can help individuals and teams build on their strengths and recognize their blind spots.

Any big change effort sows seeds of doubt. Having someone to keep you focused on the big picture can make the difference between sticking with a plan and giving it up prematurely. Clients enlist coaches to empower them to effect the changes that are important to them. Is there someone behind you and your agenda?

Helene Mazur, MBA, CFP is the founder of Princeton Performance Dynamics, a business coaching company. Helene coaches professionals, business owners and their teams to reach out of their comfort zone to achieve important goals and do more of what makes them come alive.

Her website is http://www.ppdbusinesscoaching.com

It’s not an easy road
Battling this beast called depression
Not being able to get out of bed

And in no mood for nothin’

It’s not nice, the spice taken out of life
Wanting to sleep all day
And not go out
Not even to play

It’s not an easy road
All closed in and
not wanting to get up and locking
all my thoughts in, I’m pretty messed up

Depression it sucks all the good out of you
It’s hard and it’s got you feeling blue
And sometimes I stay up all night
Just to put up a good fight

It’s good to get close to the Holy Spirit
And fuel the anointing

The peace of God comes and soothes
The feelings of despair

The anointing is available
It’s got me right now
And I can write poetry and
Bless some people now

But this depression
It’s a beast
It never tires of eating your soul

It can eat and eat and eat

It’s a robber and Satan is behind it
He wants to pull you down and
Have you give up the fight
But fight you must, with prayer pills and friends trust

I have struggles this week
And depression hits the strong and the weak
It’s not an easy road
And life is a life where you have to sow

A little good here and a little good there
We have to fight this thing with prayer
And when we are sad, it’s not because we’re bad
It’s just a condition and it might not be forever.

Matthew is one of two people that operate a site at http://www.escapeministries.net Escape ministries is a place where people can be ministered to over the internet, by reading articles, watching videos and receiving personal prophetic words. James and Matthew invite you to visit today to look at some of the articles they have collected and watch some of the video teachings they are setting about to produce for you. You are encouraged to sign up for our monthly newsletter or simply email James or Matthew with any of your comments. We hope that you might bookmark it and come back to visit often as we pursue our mission statement that is found on our home page.

You can visit and view their video’s live at youtube by going direct to http://www.youtube.com/EscapeMinistries

Sometimes, the future just sneaks up on us.

For years now, we’ve heard about the promise of true “mobile TV.” Predictions of explosive growth in video content and capabilities have been bandied about since the current generation of network technologies were rolled out in the first half of this decade. And the major American carriers like to tempt us with advertising suggesting our favorite television programs are available, anywhere.

But is mobile TV really here, or not? There seems to be significant confusion in the consumer market when it comes to some of the video options available today (versus options which may be available as soon as 2008). What exactly is “mobile TV”? Is it the same thing as “streaming video”? What kinds of things can I watch on my cell phone?

First, a quick explanation of the different services already out there. Many of the newer cell phone models in stores these days offer some degree of mobile television; the handsets themselves have become powerful enough to deliver relatively high-quality video content (albeit, on a tiny screen). The faster processors and high resolution screens present in today’s cell phones make viewing video a reality. The central hurdle some carriers are attempting to overcome — in the United States, at least — lies in network capacity.

As it stands now, the three largest carriers in America offer some form of mobile TV, most of which is pre-packaged. The 3G data networks that stream data to our phones are great for surfing the Internet, but if thousands of people all want to watch a live television event, the network would become bogged down. Each request for the program is handled individually, and, for now, only Sprint’s EV-DO network is set up to deliver live broadcast programming.

As mobile TV takes off, we can expect to see changes in the way content is delivered to our phones. The most likely solution is a “one-to-many” paradigm which echoes traditional broadcast TV; rather than sending unique data to each potential viewer, one central source would send out a single signal available to any cell phone within range.

That day is right around the corner. Today, however, most of the available video content in the United States comes in pre-recorded clips designed specifically for cell phones. When you’re shopping for a TV-capable cell phone, there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, you’ll need to subscribe to your carrier’s mobile TV service. To do that, it helps to know what, exactly, is offered by each of the major carriers:

Sprint: SprintTV features a variety of broadcast channels over its EV-DO network, bundled within the Sprint Power Vision TV Pack. The service works well, and is augmented by a selection of packaged video clips from CNN, Fox Sports, and the NFL Network. Sprint offers a variety of pricing options, which is great for customizing your mobile TV plan.

Cingular/AT&T: The Cingular Video service is extremely effective in cities with 3G coverage. While there is no support for live TV, Cingular offers streaming clips from NBC, CNN and Fox News, and exclusive content from HBO.

Verizon: Verizon’s VCAST service is only $15 a month, and offers a myriad of video clips from popular channels like NBC, CNN and ESPN. VCAST also includes streaming cartoons and stand-up comedy, although none of their programming is broadcast live.

Since the mobile TV landscape is constantly evolving, it’s always a good idea to check a site like Wirefly.com or point.com for the latest specifics. As the cell phone industry keeps moving towards full multimedia integration, the services listed above can only grow in scope.

Maybe it’s a prank caller who’s been pestering you lately - or maybe it’s a mysterious number that keeps on appearing on your spouse’s cellular phone (recent caller) history. Either way, you want to find out who’s been calling - but without being “duped” by one of the countless scams out there that promise instant results, but deliver only a simple set of links to other sites that you could’ve found on your own for free…

So let me explain how to do your own reverse cellular phone number lookup. There’s two ways to do it - one is free, and other will cost anywhere from $29 - $99 dollars - which is well worth it if this caller is threatening your safety, well-being, or your relationship with someone you love.

1. The Free Way to Find Pull Up Owner Information For a Cellular Phone Number

Cell phone numbers, unlike a regular phone number, aren’t listed in public directories - such as WhitePages.com or AnyWho.com, or your local phone book.

And although you can put a block on the number in question through your phone company, they likely won’t provide you with the offending caller’s information.

But you want to know exactly who’s been calling - don’t you?

So here’s how to do it on the internet, for free…

Head on over to Google.com and enter the cellular number in question, in the following format:

“123-444-5555″

And

“1234445555″

If Google doesn’t find anything, try taking out the area code. As well, try running the search both with quotation marks surrounding the number, and without.

Repeat the process with Yahoo.com and MSN.com also, simply to make sure. (These sites are the 3 biggest search engines online, and between the three of them, they’ll search practically every web-page, website and otherwise content that exists on the public internet).

Doing a search like this will often pull up a profile page or an account page of some kind that will disclose more details - such as their name and address - or an “avatar” (username) or other info like that, that can be cross-referenced and searched in a similar fashion to uncover more information, if available.

It might even pull up the suspect’s personal webpage or weblog.

But if doing a search like this does not produce any results - don’t worry - you can still find out who’s been calling, and here’s how…

2. How to Pay For Real Results When You Need to do a Reverse Search on a Cell Phone Number

As I mentioned previously, there are a number of services out there that claim to deliver “instant results”, complete with owner name, address history, carrier details, connection status, credit history and so on - but most are complete scams.

The good ones will usually cost more, but there are a few decent services that charge less than $50 per search.

Here’s what you need to look for, before you pull out your credit card:

- A solid refund policy. Let’s face it - even the best investigator or search product might not be able to find your specific number. So look for companies that offer a guarantee of their results, so that you can place a refund if they can’t deliver the owner details for the cellular number.

- A sample search. Many services that actually provide real results have a “partial lookup” search function, which shows that they have the capability to provide accurate results.

Again, only purchase from companies that offer a no-questions-asked refund policy, regardless of how fancy their sample search results may be.

That’s how you find out who’s been calling - and possibly even where they live.

Happy searching!

Chris Rempel recommends using Reverse Cellular Phone Search if you need to find out who belongs to a cell phone number.

They offer a 56-day guarantee on their results, and you can easily find out if the number you’re looking for is available by doing a sample search for free. Try them out first.

The process of developing a vivid picture of the future is an important step in creating a future that is better than today. A clear, motivating image can inspire us to reach higher and overcome challenges. Once created, a vision will begin to impact today as a foundation for new decisions.
While all that sounds great, crafting a meaningful vision of the future isn’t always that simple! A blank piece of paper can be daunting whether you are an artist, a writer, a programmer, or a CEO. If your natural inclination is to skip ‘the vision’ and get right down to business, read on. Everyone can be a creative visionary!

ART AND SCIENCE

It is not a surprise that visual thinking plays an important role in the creative process; what many people don’t realize is the role that creative thinking plays in the strategic thinking and planning process.

Henry Mintzberg in “The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning” makes a clear distinction between the skills necessary for strategic thinking and the skills needed for planning. He explains that planning involves the left side of the brain with a need for logic, reasoning, linear and rational thinking. Strategic thinking, on the other hand, requires the ability to examine new possibilities involving the right brain. Strategic thinking entails tasks such as dealing with large chunks of information, and the ability to pull pieces together into a big picture. Planning involves words and numbers and strategic thinking requires patterns and visual images.

LINKS

In “Strategic Thinking and The New Science,” T. Irene Sanders tells us that “strategic thinking has two major components: insight about the present and foresight about the future.” Visual thinking can help us link our intuitive sense of events in the world with our intellectual understanding.

Although there are different viewpoints, most current scientific research shows that while no one is totally left-brained or right-brained, most people have a distinct dominance on one side or the other.

In tasks such as the development of a long-range strategy, where thinking needs to come from both sides of the brain, it is important to find ways to draw out both our imagination and our analytic abilities. Visual based techniques can help us link possibility thinking, intuition, and current realities.

VISUALIZATION

A vision can be a mental picture of an “ideal” organization, relationship or life. Studies have shown that we are more likely to reach an objective if we can see it and can imagine the steps to reach it. Visioning is a common strategy in sports. Olympic skaters imagine themselves going through the steps and landing a perfect jump.

Visual thinkers create pictures or models of a problem in their mind, play with the visual, move it around, refine it, and use it to raise more questions. A drawing or model helps push thinking further. Albert Einstein imagined himself traveling through the universe as a “man in a box” on a ray of light. This vision helped him develop the theory of general relativity.

TOOLS and TECHNIQUES

In a strategic planning process, there are four fundamental questions: “Where are you now?” Where are you going?” Where do you want to be?” and “How are you going to get there?”

Visual ways of addressing these types of questions help the mind “to see.” Seeing can help identify issues and opportunities, organize information, prioritize, clarify thinking, and set goals on a personal and/or organizational level.

Try out one of the following exercises:

Envision an article written in the future about you or your company.
Record your desired future in a diagram, sketch, model, or in a photographic montage. In “The Artist’s Way,” Julia Cameron suggests creating collages or journals to help develop ideas.
Imagine yourself receiving an award for a major accomplishment.
What is the award for? What has been accomplished?
More complex visual diagramming techniques can reveal patterns, interrelationships and interdependencies, stimulate creative thinking and enable new ideas and innovations. When working with groups of people, visual tools can help to foster creative dialogue, create perspective shifts and help to record ideas.

MIND MAPPING

Mind Mapping is a powerful technique that can help in developing a strategy, or expand thinking on a subject. The ‘Map’ uses words, lines, logic, colors, images, and links to draw out associations and stimulate thinking. The technique works as well in large group brainstorming sessions, as it does one-on-one with a coach.

While there are many different “mind mapping” systems, the basic process involves expanding on ideas using key words and branches. The objective is to make a complex or thorny topic easier to understand, explore, or remember.

Create a simple mind map:

A. Draw a circle in the middle of a blank sheet of paper and write a project, goal, dream or idea in the center of the circle

B. Draw lines (spokes or branches) radiating out from the central circle

C. Write down thoughts/ideas that relate to the central circle at the end of each spoke and circle them

D. From each of the new circles repeat steps B-C, continuing out as far as you feel comfortable

Next, translate the ideas to an outline form and try to create some action steps based on your thinking.

SCENARIO PLANNING/FUTURE MAPPING

Scenario planning tools have been around for decades and are useful to help anticipate change, predict the elements of different scenarios and develop strategies to be able to shape each possible future.

Today there are many models that take scenario planning to the next level. Dr. Canton’s “Future Mapping” tool makes the distinction between forecasting (getting advance information about the future based on analysis of existing conditions and trends) and foresight (the ability to see what is emerging). The tool creates scenarios based on key change drivers, trends and “forces that can shape the future of an enterprise, market, industry, society or civilization.” Read more about Future Mapping at: http://www.globalfuturist.com/chapter.php

SUPPORT

Visual tools and techniques are the most effective when they are set in the right framework. One of the keys to good visioning is asking good questions. The combination of questioning and visual techniques can bring out the “creative thinker” in even the most task-oriented person.
Are you focused on the right questions?

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Helene Mazur, MBA, CFP is the founder of Princeton Performance Dynamics, a business coaching company. Helene coaches professionals, business owners and their teams to reach out of their comfort zone to achieve important goals and do more of what makes them come alive.

Her website is http://www.ppdbusinesscoaching.com