What 'Don't Die' Means

I have been contemplating submitting a proposal for a TEDx talk to be held in Las Vegas in December. I am not sure I will yet, but in doing some research I came across this TED talk I felt was worth sharing.

A good thought -- and I could see this as an inspirational project for downtown Las Vegas. Hope you will enjoy your day thinking about this too.

Thank you, Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
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TGIM

This TED video is going to make you Thank God It's Monday.  Shawn Achor is an incredible presenter.  He had me hooked with the title:  The happy secret to better work, but when he said the line, "The reason I am here today and the reason I get up excited each morning is Positive Psychology!" I was sold.  Great investment of 12 minutes of your time. Thank you, Andrea

Spoken Word Poetry

In 2002 I accompanied our daughter, Dana Courtney, to a youth poetry workshop.  She had won an award and was invited to deliver her work in person.  It was a large event with several hundred teenagers.  I had the opportunity to hear many poems – not knowing they actually were a style of writing and delivery -- called spoken word poetry.

One observation I took away from that 2002 experience was there were a lot of teenage boys who felt deeper, got hurt by love experiences more, and were willing to share their feelings in front of others, than I ever met when I was a teenager.
 
Fast forward ten years, and I am watching a TED.com video of Sarah Kay.  I watch a lot of TED videos (and share a lot of them in this blog), so when I noticed the audience gave Sarah Kay two standing ovations in less than 20 minutes, I knew it was yet another great video to share that should be shared.

The opening poem, If I had a Daughter, is specular in and of itself (and is now a book simply titled – B).  What is extraordinary in my opinion is how Sarah has developed a teaching technique that transforms the angst of youth changes the lives of young people.  Her teaching technique follows one of my development mottos:  Take the drama out of the trauma and watch the spirit soar.

Thank you Sarah for your great work.  Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
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Size Matters

Almost 20 years ago, thanks to an international business class, I learned that India -- with over 1 billion people at that time -- already had a middle class the size of the entire US population (400 million).  That stat has stayed me with and guided my thinking about globalization and the impact of large population nations leading our global economic growth.  What does this all have to do with personal growth?  A lot.  How we communicate, and the impact of our communications, can change the course of our destiny and determine our success in life relationships. 
Enjoy watching the "Oprah" of China.  The stats about the impact of micro blogging (IE our version of Twitter) are very interesting. 

Optimistic or Pessimistic?

I, for one, still come out on the side that if given a choice, I would rather be born naturally too optimistic than born naturally more pessimistic.  Why?  Seeing a situation as negative as it really is would steal me of the moments I might have to enjoy those around me or see the beauty that is before me.  In the end, the negative outcome may be the realistic outcome -- but at least I had more time to create joy before it occurred.  I don't believe I could do that if I was more pessimistic.  See if you agree with Tali Sharot in this Ted video.


If you were given a choice of being more optimistic or more pessimistic, which would you choose? 
Let me know DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com  Thank you, Andrea T. Goeglien

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Flourish

Marty Seligman delivered this TED speech in 2004.  I was completing his Authentic Happiness Coaching program at that time and he told us about this speech.  This segment covers Positive Psychology to that point in its young history.  It is a good primer for those interested in the subject. 

One part not covered in this video that Marty shared during the class stuck with me -- because it is something I generally do not care about -- and that was when he taught that when Florence was the center of economic commerce, the greatest decision the wealthy made was to invest in the arts. 

It was that investment that helped the society flourish and continue to proposer for centuries.  Today, the core of Florence's global attraction is art and architecture created during that time (well maybe food, fashion and weather have something to do it, too). 

I live in Las Vegas.  Tourists do not come to Las Vegas because of the art and culture.  Yet, several years ago the buzz about the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and its creation began to circulate.  In March, 2012 The Smith Center opened -- after having been constructed during the worst depression in Las Vegas history (because the population of Las Vegas was so small during the Great Depression most stories you hear about Las Vegas and that depression are associated with how Las Vegas prospered from government stimulus -- specifically the building of Hoover Dam).

As I sat in the Smith Center Reynolds Hall for the first time last night, I understood what the leaders of Florence understood and what Marty Seligman was attempting to teach me...investment in the arts creates community.  Every seat in the hall was filled, and filled with faces of every race, creed, color and generation.  I have lived in Las Vegas 15 years, I have never experienced the electrifying sense of community I experience in that hall. 

I always knew Las Vegas would survive the depression of 2008-2012.  It was not until last night that I could see how it was going to again thrive. 

The Reynolds Foundation legacy will become the legacy of a city. 

Thank you, Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com

The Righteous MInd

Ted video of interest: Jonathan Haidt The Righteous Mind 

My 1997 doctoral dissertation was a study of the moral development of transformational CEOs.  I have continued my interest in the the life question, "Why do good people do not so good things regardless of their wealth, education and/or job title? "

In the soon to be released book, The Righteous Mind, The Happiness Hypothesis author, Jonathan Haidt explores a version of that question as it applies to religion and politics.  What makes a liberal a liberal and a conservative?  More important, he charges his audience and readers -- regardless of your liberal or conservative preference, to stay open to the conversation.  I am in hopes his new book gives direction how to do that! 

Peace, Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
P.S. The Righteous Mind will be released on 3/13/12.  You can hear Jonathan on a free teleconference on Friday, March 9 by going to MentorCoach and registering. 
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Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders | Video on TED.com

Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders Video on TED.com

It is hard not to be following Sherly Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, given the pending IPO. I have been researching her since reading an article in the NY Times last week. Very gracious woman. Very sound advice. And I like that I don't feel an edge of resentment that I often sense in many mega successful women. For me, her style invites you into her way of thinking without judgement.

Enjoy, Andrea T. Goeglien, PhD
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Learning from Mistakes

At a weekend spiritual retreat, my husband Richard became resistant because the word 'sin' was used. He couldn't relate to the word 'sin' until I said that it means a 'mistake', a turning away from good. That he could relate to. In business, as we review our careers, we usually see all the mistakes we have made. The shoulda, woulda, coulda's of our lives. Here is a TED video that helps put all that in perspective. Enjoy.