Photo coutesy of Jakub Hlavaty and Flickr
It’s enthusiasm time again. Let me know what you think via twitter at @JamieSmartCom, on my Facebook page, or in the comments below.
1. A quote I’m resonating with this week
The author Terry Pratchett was someone who had a deep understanding of people and our love of stories. In his book, The Science of Discworld, he said something I still love reading and re-reading. The last phrase, “…stories have a clarity of structure that does not exist in the messiness of the real world” is one that has always stayed with me. Here’s the passage in full:
“We learn to appreciate stories as children. The child’s mind is quick and powerful, but uncontrolled and unsophisticated. Stories appeal to it, and adults rapidly discovered that a story can put an idea into a child’s head like nothing else can. Stories are easy to remember, both for teller and listener. As that child grows to adulthood, the love of stories remains. An adult has to be able to tell stories to the next generation of children, or the culture does not propagate. And an adult needs to be able to tell stories to other adults, such as their boss or their mate, because stories have a clarity of structure that does not exist in the messiness of the real world.”
2. A fascinating article about stories
Staying with the subject of stories, I enjoyed this “Big Think” article about how stories can “configure” our experience. Enjoy! http://bigthink.com/errors-we-live-by/how-stories-configure-human-nature
3. This week’s glimpse into the future
The world of Artificial Intelligence is advancing in leaps and bounds (exponentially, to be specific). Watch as an AI learns to play Atari video games. Extraordinary! https://qz.com/901522/kick-back-and-watch-quartz-artificial-intelligence-learn-to-play-atari-games-in-real-time/
4. Provocative Hypnosis Meets The Principles Behind Clarity
From time to time, I have a conversation with Jørgen Rasmussen. Jørgen is the creator of Provocative Hypnosis, and is the author of the book of the same name, as well as the book Provocative Suggestions. This is the 3rd of these conversations we’ve had over the past few years, so I may post the earlier ones here at a later date. You can listen to the full conversation here: https://www.jamiesmart.com/rmp10/
5. This week’s 3 minute miracle
Gillian Welch’s song The Revelator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYG-Nh_AxU deserves to be a classic. Don’t agree? Listen to it again (it’s beautiful).
That’s it!
Thanks and big love,
Jamie
PS The next instalment of Project Glasswing is due to kick off in a few weeks. If you’d like to be considered for the latest intake of this programme, we’re down to the last 5 places (we’ve filled the first 31 places and expect it to be fully booked by the time we start, as usual). Here’s how you’ll know if you’re a good fit:
– You are a coach, therapist or change-worker (Eg. Sports coach, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, business coach, bodyworker etc)
– You have at least one year’s experience of working with clients (either paid, pro-bono or both)
– You probably charge by the hour, but want to use a “coaching package” model and increase your income
– You have room to work with at least one longer term contract client, starting in March 2017
– You want to take your practice to the next level in 2017, and are willing to put step out of your comfort zone if necessary
– You’re an enthusiastic, friendly people-person
– You have a coachable spirit, and
– You can keep a secret
If that’s you, then email me at info@jamiesmart.com, and let me know where you’re located and a little about yourself (if you don’t know what to tell me about, look at the list above for inspiration). Change the subject line to “Project Glasswing TTE”. I’ll be choosing people in the next couple of weeks. Talk to you soon!