When you’re happy, you can start a happiness virus through your social network, according to a Harvard and UC San Diego study.
So update your Twitter and Facebook status with good things and spread the love!
No conclusive info about when you’re down, although I know that’s as good a people repellant as B.O.
Wow - Don’t miss this Wall Street Journal article and short video in which Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-science professor, full of happy, positive energy—yet soon to die of pancreatic cancer—delivers his “final” speech.
In the speech, Pausch “talked about his childhood dreams: to win giant stuffed animals at carnivals, to walk in zero gravity, to design Disney rides, to write a World Book entry. By adulthood, he had achieved each goal.”
You can see the full lecture on Google Video.
One thing he said was quite an eye opener for me: “While displaying photos of his bosses and students over the years, he said that helping others fulfill their dreams is even more fun than achieving your own.”
I never thought of SuperViva that way, but it’s true. Randy Pausch is a model for how to approach living…and our inevitable dying.
In Think and Grow Rich!
He came to this conclusion based on “more than twenty years of research based on Hill’s close association with a large number of individuals who managed to achieve great wealth during the course of their lifetimes.” (Wikipedia)
It really is just common sense: How often do you get stuck when trying to solve a problem or come up with ideas yourself? And how often does brainstorming with a person who wants to and is able to think with you result in an “aha” moment—helping you avoid pitfalls or completely change your course based on this brainstorming.
Karyn Greenstreet gave me permission to reprint her helpful article on how to create a MasterMind Group. From other conversations I’ve had, I’ve learned it’s very important to follow these guidelines.
You don’t want people to confuse your group with a pure networking group, intended solely to connect for new business and contacts.
If you have experience running or participating in a group, or want to get involved with one, please comment here.
There is synergy of energy, commitment, and excitement that participants bring to a MasterMind Group. The beauty of MasterMind Groups is that participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. MasterMind participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues.
The concept of the MasterMind Group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in the early 1900’s. In his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich" he wrote about the Mastermind principle as:
"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."
He continues …
"No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible
intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind."
In a MasterMind Group, the agenda belongs to the group, and each person’s participation is key. Your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You will create a community of supportive colleagues who will brainstorm together to move the group to new heights.
You’ll gain tremendous insights, which can improve your business and personal life. Your MasterMind Group is like having a objective board of directors.
People who:
MasterMind Groups can meet in person, on the telephone, or via online message boards. For those groups that meet in person or on the phone, typically a once-a-month meeting is scheduled.
Because of the group nature, a commitment is required. Look for highly-motivated people who are willing to ask for—and give—help and support.
Before agreeing to let any new applicants into your group, it’s important to screen them to make sure they’ll fit into the existing group and that their commitment level is high. Decide in advance how many people should be in your group (5-8 is recommended), and only allow new members into the group with the unanimous consent of everyone in the group.
Even with a screening process your group is likely to run across people who say that they’re committed but then don’t participate, or who say that they’re honest but then fail to keep the trust of the group.
Be prepared to ask people to leave the group who are not participating up to the group standard and do it quickly once the poor behavior becomes evident. A "slacking" member will bring down the energy and fun level for the whole group.
MasterMind Groups create a win-win situation for all participants. New friendships develop and everyone grows because of the support and encouragement of the MasterMind Group.
Karyn Greenstreet is a Self Employment expert and small business coach. She shares tips, techniques and strategies with self-employed people to boost clarity and focus, create sustainable motivation, and increase sales and profits.Visit her website at www.PassionForBusiness.com
[Note from Susie: I have not read the book and am affiliate of Passion for Business.]
There is synergy of energy, commitment, and excitement that participants bring to a Mastermind Group. The beauty of Mastermind Groups is that participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues.
Learn how creating a MasterMind group will enhance your business and your life.
Karyn Greenstreet has been creating and leading mastermind groups since 1994. Let her show you how to create your own!
Here is what you will learn in this e-book:
Download the 22-page ebook in PDF format - Just $12.00.
And/or join a teleclass for an interactive lesson in how to run a Master Mind Group
Here are a few ideas from me (Susie) on useful meeting tools:
Like to relax over an online game? Carnegie Mellon has developed the addictive, useful ESP Game where you anonymously collaborate with a random other person to come up with words that describe an image they display on the screen.
Why did they create this game which has already collected 1 million labels?
“Having proper labels associated to each image on the Internet would allow for very accurate image search, would improve the accessibility of the Web (by providing word descriptions of all images to visually impaired individuals), and would help users block inappropriate (e.g., pornographic) images from their computers. ” (read more)
Now Google has adapted it, in a similarly fun way. So the next time you want to take a break to sharpen your mind while having fun try out these image labelers!
do whatever you want with your life!
If you don’t want to be single, try something new like having your friends be your match maker at a site like Engage.
But if you’re enjoying life, check out the thousands of ideas of things you can do to live a full life. For example see what a few SuperViva users have done.
By focusing on your own goals and dreams, you’ll likely be happier and thus attract the person you want to be with…that is unless you want to enjoy the joys of being single of which there are plenty!
How are you celebrating your singlehood?
