Welcome to your April newsletter from Mindworks

Mindworks, seeing things from a different perspective...

Are the black sides inside or out?

STOP PRESS:         COMING EVENTS

• A WORD OF THANKS FROM LAURIE KELLY

• CREATING THE THINKING ENVIRONMENT - 24 MAY 2007
• MAXIMIZE YOUR TRAINING IMPACT - 13 JUNE 2007
• SHOW CASE (WITH LAURIE KELLY)  - 27 JULY MARCH 2007
• MINDWORKS IN-HOUSE and TEAM PROGRAMMES - anytime - just call!

THE MINDWORKS MUSINGS

 Lindel Smedley (oh ho, empty glass...)

Greetings Everyone,

"Use it or Lose it" – how true that is….

Welcome back from Easter break everyone – hope you all had a chocolate smeared holiday and aren’t suffering too many pangs of guilt over all the calories forced upon you by that fluffy little bunny – I have a rabbit proof fence up around the property these days, but he still manages to wriggle through, and I always then feel obliged not to let all that cocoa goodness go to waist…sorry, waste.

It’s been a bit quiet on the Mindworks mail front, this being our first proper newsletter since November 2006 – and here we are already into the second quarter of 2007!  This doesn’t mean that we haven’t been busy, quite the contrary – when you don’t hear from us (me), you know we’re (I’m) really fighting time to get everything done.

Some of you may be aware that Laurie had major surgery over Christmas but he’s been back hard at work since February and his renewed energy and enthusiasm is once more in great demand – after heart surgery he keeps quipping he has a completely reconditioned engine and is full of new life. After a quadruple bypass, one would hope so.  No more party pies at seminars for him! At least he was smart enough to listen to the signs and get tested before anything nasty happened to him.

As well as many in-house training sessions with clients over the first quarter, we also ran three highly successful public events – our “Stress & Anxiety in the Workplace” Showcase with Jeannie Jones, our first public “Maximise Your Training Impact” workshop for 2007 with Laurie, and another of our usual “Showcases” with Laurie.  A number of feedback comments from satisfied customers are included throughout this newsletter.  Thanks to all who came along and attended these sessions and helped make the days so enjoyable.

Our training programmes are continually being suggested to new people through our database of happy customers and we sincerely thank you for passing on your recommendations.  Our guests leave our Showcases and Seminars full of new ideas and information that usually encourages them to look and think further, and learn more about how the human brain works.

As you know, the old saying is, “Use it or Lose it” and the connotations of this became very clear to me over the Christmas & Easter breaks.  All of you who have attended a Mindworks seminar will already understand the importance of exercising the mind. 

Whilst Laurie was recuperating over Christmas from his surgery and I was working from home and nursing my ageing Mother who had fallen & fractured her spine (it never rains but it pours around here), I received an unexpected monetary bonus from both Laurie & Eric Frangenheim as a “thank you” for my efforts over 2006.  It’s so nice to be appreciated and I was very touched.

But what to spend it on?  Well, that was the easy part.  A friend of mine had recently introduced me to Dr Kawashima’s “Brain Training” programme on her Nintendo DS Lite and I was hooked instantaneously.  I had to get me one of  them!!   So, after deciding that only a pink Nintendo would do, I finally set myself up to test my ageing grey matter and see if all those rum and cokes over the years had actually had an effect. 

After a series of fun challenges, including the popular Stroop test that has you shouting out colours and making those around you think you’re a bit touched in the head, it calculates the age of your brain – 80 being geriatric and 20 being the ultra-fit, organic and well oiled machine we are all aiming for.  Armed with overconfidence and the arrogance of the “experienced” middle-aged, I was devastated to realise my brain age was actually 63…some 20 years older than my actual age.  Well, I wasn’t having any of that nonsense, and so I did some training and redid the test and suffice to say I’m proud to announce I was down to 29 after one week and have pretty much stayed there. (There was obviously a flaw in the programme that first time round…!) 

I say "pretty much" because I don’t really know - I’m way too scared to take the official test again because I’m not sure I can do so well again without the nerves kicking in and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at the last minute. (But that may not be true, Lindel).  However, my daily training exercise graph shows I’m sticking to a constant level of achievement so I’m happy with that.  I’m “using it so I don’t lose it”.

My 11 year old son who, despite being the offspring of two bibliophiles seems to be allergic to the written word, has taken to this Brain Training with gusto and has quickly scaled down from 80, to 53 to 45 to, gasp…horror…23!  If I’m looking for the game and can’t find it, it’s usually clutched in his hand quietly somewhere, doing the reading or the maths or the puzzles and has to be reminded, succinctly, of who actually owns the damn thing.  The point is – he’s “using it” – his maths has improved, his reading and response times are better.  Mine certainly are.  Even my husband who, until now thought his brain was so superior that a silly game was beneath him, is involved and determined to bring his (surprise, surprise) score of 54 down to something a little more praiseworthy.  Laurie has shown great interest, but has yet to be tied down to actually doing it – I think he’s a little daunted and worried that I might tease him.  I think he’s right!

On the other hand, my convalescing Mother, who finally went home only to end up back in hospital again with a broken hip in March, does nothing to stimulate her mind.  She has never read, never enjoyed puzzles, doesn’t watch movies, isn’t creative, isn’t very social etc. Now that she has long-term damage from a stroke suffered 3 years ago, she battles short-term memory loss and confusion, so the need for stimulation and exercise is very important.  But she simply will not do it unless it’s disguised somehow.  I’ve had to watch her fail mentally, bit by bit, despite our best efforts over the last three years simply because she won’t exercise her brain.  She’s not using it and she’s definitely losing it.

So, remember those sessions you spent with Laurie learning how to visualise, how to extend your memory skills, how the brain’s hemispheres work together and separately and make sure you try and challenge yourself on a daily basis.  I have always refused to use a calculator for easy sums, despite the scorn of my colleagues over the years – but I bet I could run rings around them when adding up my shopping list these days!  Get hooked on a Sudoku puzzle, invest in a Lovatts Variety Bi-Monthly Puzzles magazine (I’m addicted to that too) or use your Memory Pegs to remember your grocery list without writing it down.  Your "older you" will thank you for it in the future. 

“Use it or Lose it”.  But a word of advice if you do invest in the Brain Training programme – just don’t “Fuse it” with frustration over that Stroop Test  - remember, you can always take it again.

What we teach you is real.  It’s proven.  It works.   

And people keep coming back for more…

Lindel Smedley - Office Manager

VISIT THE MINDWORKS HOMEPAGE

P.S. Are you interested in what Mindworks can offer your company, but would like to "try before you buy?"  Our next Showcase/Morning Tea is scheduled for 27 July 2007- come along as our guest, bring a friend or colleague to experience Laurie's delivery first hand and get a sample of the Mindworks Magic!  We guarantee you will be amazed and entertained!  

VIEW OUR SHOWCASES  

P.P.S:  Thanks to all the hundreds that sent in good wishes for Laurie’s speedy recovery – you’ll be pleased to know all the good thoughts and vibes made it happen and Laurie and his family were very touched by the wonderful support he received from everyone - click through on Laurie's "Word of Thanks" above for a personal message.

P.P.P.S:  Laurie came home from hospital the same day as his brand new Grandson, Ryder, which added much joy to the family over Christmas.  Ryder joins his older sister, Toni, born last year – both to Laurie’s daughter, Benita.  Laurie was last seen happily testing the Spinal Galant Reflex on his new Grandson.

EVALUATION & RESULTS GRAPH

An Evaluation of our programmes from some of your response forms to date:

2007 DATES NOW AVAILABLE

Do you need to note your diaries with our Public Course dates for 2007 to make sure you can attend?  Our website now has a full display of scheduled seminars for you to choose from - have a browse and email or call us to book your preference.  We're waiting to hear from you.

QUINTESSENTIAL QUOTES

"Ask yourself always: 'How can this be done better?'" 

G. C Lichtenberg

(We can show you how to make things "even better" - just ask us)

Our first "Creating the Thinking Environment’ course is scheduled for the 24th May 2007 with Eric Frangenheim.

Why do this seminar?

Eric will deliver a hands-on presentation that will have you participating and experiencing his innovative tools to assist Facilitators, Trainers and Managers to

get their teams working effectively together with:

• problem solving
• creative thinking, and                                                                                            Eric Frangenheim
• information gathering

Learn to use the following techniques to improve your meetings and to hone into key points and break them down more efficiently; and to employ new ways of sharing information, group to group, and improving on what has been gathered:

• Round Robin
• Noisy Round Robin
• P.M.I
• Decision Making Matrix
• K.W.L.
• 1:4:P:C:R
• Hot Potato
• And many more…. 

These tools are fun - as we all know, if people are enjoying themselves they will learn and engage most freely. But it's not all fun and games; our tools are serious strategies designed to get at the heart of any discussion, highlight key points and focus in on what your whole session is ultimately targeting.

If you have undertaken a “Maximise Your Training Impact” seminar with Laurie, then you should definitely consider taking Eric’s “Creating the Thinking Environment” workshop to add even more fun and practical tools to your “toolkit”.

Our presenter will demonstrate how you, as a Facilitator, can move from "showing" the group to "guiding" it gently to its conclusive result.  We can show you how to turn the volume down on the more vocal members of the groups and how to get at the knowledge and ideas of the more timid of your participants. 

Here are a few comments from the last C.T.E seminar held in early December 2006:

• Great presenter - very authentic, professional and fun.
• Highly informative and entertaining.
• Great enthusiasm and knowledge for realistic application
• Fantastic day - lots of new ideas to implement! - Raelee Van Wyk, Flight Centre
• When is Part 2 available?
• Great day - it's given me a lot of practical ideas - Bryn Dolan, Education Queensland
• Great "jolter" to think of practical ways to introduce the "tactile" into my workshops. - Brenton Nicholls, Impact Unlimited.

Seats are available – book in now!

(All our courses are $350 per participant which includes welcome tea/coffee, morning & afternoon teas, lunch and take home workbook covering the days programme.  Discounts available for group bookings.)   

QUINTESSENTIAL QUOTES

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. 

Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

Zig Ziglar

(Mindworks can do wonders to motivate your staff and rekindle their enthusiasm - just ask us)

MAXIMISE YOUR TRAINING IMPACT - Public Workshop

   Laurie and friends having fun at a 2006 MTI seminar

Training and facilitating requires a knowledge of how to target your audience for best reception & understanding of your material.  Our "Maximise Your Training Impact" workshop is a proven success.  It's a highly popular seminar, aimed at increasing your "toolbox" and ensuring you have an understanding of your audience's learning abilities, and the accompanying techniques to make your presentations worthwhile, effective and enjoyable. 

This is a must for Cert. IV holders to "add value" to their existing qualifications, and for anyone who is regularly presenting material to groups of trainees or learners in any capacity. 

Come along to our Public Workshop on the 13 June 2007 and join us for a fun day of exceptional training - we "train the trainer" to be "even better".  Book NOW!!

Here are some comments from recent attendees at our M.T.I. courses:

• I loved the day.  It reaffirmed the things I am doing well but gave me lots of ideas to make my sessions more suitable for all learners and meet their needs, not mine. - Anon
• Great to get perspective from other profesionals - opportunity to brainstorm challenges across different group. - Shari Davies, Royal Childrens Hospital
• Overall, (the contents of the seminar) were good for a person starting in the training area.  Great starting point. - Anon
• Brilliant - thank you Laurie.  -  Karen Egbars, Medicare
• I found the whole day to be highly informative and refreshing. - Anne-Maria Butler, Impact Consulting
• Excellent - very beneficial.  Can use immediately back in the workplace. - Melinda Nichols, Flight Centre
• Great fast paced delivery of concepts, tools and easy to use resources, all applicable immediately. - David Aubrey, CSQ
• See our Feedback section below for more "Maximise Your Training Impact" comments....

If you've already experienced this seminar with Laurie, we would love you to pass on your recommendation and comments to your colleagues - as I've said before, 95% of our business is via word of mouth promotion & recommendation!  

And if you can't make the 13th June, we have all new "Maximise Your Training Impact" workshop dates scheduled for the rest of 2007. 

We'd love to see you there - Book now!                                          Laurie Kelly, Mindworks

(All our courses are $350 per participant which includes welcome tea/coffee, morning & afternoon teas, lunch and take home workbook covering the days programme.  Discounts available for group bookings.)

LOOKING FOR A CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER? 

Then look no further - Laurie has been a much loved Conference speaker for years and is perfect to either:

•  Open your Conference and Open your delegates minds at the same time to

    accept what is to come

•   Deliver a Key Note address

•   Provide interactive Workshops to really get your participants thinking

•   Be the "After Lunch Energizer" - Laurie will get your delegates focused and

    back into the swing of things immediately following the refreshment break

BOOK LAURIE KELLY - THE "CHEF OF THE MIND"

WANT A TASTER? 

Peruse his "MENU OF THE MIND" HERE to see how he can make your conference "even better"

We are now booking 2007 conferences - if you're planning your next Conference and you want the best speaker - get in early and book Laurie Kelly.

VIEW CONFERENCE INFORMATION

LETTERS THAT WE LOVED

Thank you so much...it was our pleasure doing business with you ...

Lindel, It seems the day was very successful and well received by those who attended. I commend Laurie, yourself, Pam, PAH staff and attendees for what on all accounts was an enjoyable, insightful and well presented workshop.

Well done, James, Learning & Development, Queensland Health SSP

RETENTION TIPS

Mnemonic: (adjective & noun) a device designed to aid the memory; the art of improving memory or the system for this (from the Greek "mnemonikos" meaning "mindful")

Have you ever used this useful tool to help you remember data?  Using symbols and mnemonics are clever and fun ways of stimulating the visual and auditory processes for recalling information.

For example: "roygbiv" (pronounced: ROY-GA-GIV) when trying to remember the order of the rainbow colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet - a great one for kids.

Try playing with "silly sayings": "Mercury Visits Every Monday, Just Stays Until Noon (passes)" which is, of course, the planets in our solar system in their order from the sun.  

Or one I made up recently when trying to teach myself about weather and atmosphere : "Tropical Storms Make Thermals Exciting" - Troposphere, Stratopshere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere & Exosphere.

Try and incorporate a few fun tools like these mentioned above when imparting dry content to your training groups.  And use plenty of colour and fun symbols.  It will make retention and revision much more successful. 

Do you have any you'd like to share?  We'd love to hear them....

PUBLICATION PURCHASES ON WEBSITE

For those of you who have attended Eric's workshop and would love to get your hands on a copy of his book "Reflections on (classroom) Thinking Strategies" incorporating his information gathering tools, or his new "Thinking Skills Framework" wallchart, then we have some good news for you. 

Our Website has been upgraded to include and Publications Order Page for Eric's products - order now!

"TRY BEFORE YOU BUY" SHOWCASE

Want to know what it's all about?

Come along and join us for a fun morning introducing you to Laurie Kelly and the Mindworks Magic.

27th July 2007

Some of our guests, learning and laughing, at our free morning tea in Feburary 2007

EXCITING NEWS & FEEDBACK

After the hugely successful June tour last year, Mindworks has been invited back to New Zealand in August 2007 for a series of workshops all over the North Island - tell your Kiwi friends and colleagues that we're coming their way and to take the opportunity to book Laurie while he's in their area. 

Comments

Thank you for your feedback. Below are comments received since November from some happy Mindworks participants:

• Education sector:

• Absolutely inspirational; Laurie is engaging, fun, intelligent and insightful.  Second time I've seen and heard Laurie and will return again and again! - Anon
• I have to use this stuff - I've never learnt so much and had so much fun – Karen Fainges
• I found that the sessions were more practical because all of the techniques are proven – Warren Minniecon
• Never a dull moment – Carl Sabolewsky
• Good fun - nice to have fun with colleagues – Anon.
• I have thoroughly enjoyed today and would have liked it to have had an extra day – Gail Marshall
• Well structured and informative.  I feel that I am more aware of the power of the mind. – Len Palmer
• I could listen to Laurie all day.  He's very inspiring. – Emma Friis
• I'm excited about trying out some of these ideas – Bob Kalik
• You made learning fun – Anon
• Presenter captivates an audience – Anon
• All topics have been stimulating – Ferdinand Frank
• This was very good.  I enjoyed myself.  It opened my mind to think differently – Dominique Smith
• Please bring Laurie back!! – Jane Richards
• I have seen a B.V.S. – Lisa Fox
• Wonderful speaker.  Natural, insightful, honest and so knowledgable.  Thanks Laurie :)  - Beverly Rintala
• Very good,enthusiastic speaker.  Keeps everyone interested. – Marinka Hoogerdyk
• Laurie is an excellent presenter.  Very engaging. – Anon
• Feel I could listen forever about everything! – Anon
• Simple yet effective techniques but most of all, FUN! – Anon

• Training sector:

• Loved Laurie's energy, sense of fun and storytelling. He was just great. – Anon
• Fantastic - it gave me great insight into myself and about using alternative training activities. – Vicki Done
• Loved it and am revitalized. Many thanks! – Pam
• Really got more than I expected. – Anon
• More than I could possibly have expected in one day - sensational. – Richard Crewe
• Thank you for a wonderful, fun filled and inspiring day. – Jean Miller
• So many ideas - will keep me going for years! – Michael Rodriquez
• Great ideas to motivate learners using different techniques/activities to make training interesting & fun. – Hazel Winter
• Extremely motivating and energising, I am now excited about what I do again. Thanks. – Christine Brunell
• I had a most enjoyable and informative day. I have gained valuable methods to enhance my training programmes into more dynamic experiences. – Linda Nunn
• A brilliant course. Glad I came even after already having attended 3 days of training this week! Fits well with this programme. Will be recommending to co-ordinators to send others. – Judith McEwan
• Laurie is famous for his memory techniques - now I know why - thanks Laurie for a fun and valuable day – Cynthia Howlett
• The best course I have ever attended. – Anon
• I arrived feeling flat and tired and then I left feeling alive and invigorated. – Anon
• It makes you realise how old fashioned some training techniques are - totally new ideas I look forward to using. – Kim Baker
• This programme will have an immediate impact on my ability to deliver fun, engaging programmes and my self confidence as a Trainer. – Anon
• Thanks Laurie for a great day. As a trainer it was refreshing to see your approach.- Anon
• Enthusiastic workshop - more wide awake/alert at the end of the day. Looks like it will be a fun weekend!! – Cheryl Cole
• Fn great! Enthusiasm, knowledge and experience made presentation that was fun, easy to learn. – Ian Janke
• Great ideas, great activities to keep group interacting with each other. – Mereseini Nabuta, Qld Health
• Opened my eyes to better ways to train and ensure all learning styles are covered. – Kate Campbell, Qld Health
• Fantastic! Best course I have attended for some time. – Renee Gribbin, Qld Health
• I thought it was fantastic, energizing, knowledgeable, fun etc. etc. !! It is the first course where I NEVER hoped it would finish early and I have had energy all day. Normally you become very tired after lunch. – Kathy Cox, Qld Health
• Brilliant - much of what was covered was a course in personal development for the Trainer as well as course in training techniques. – Rory Crickmore, Qld Health
• Very enjoyable course. I liked the interaction, very friendly. Very positive. – Denise Lawson, Qld Health
• Absolutely fantastic workshop that would make an impact on you!!! – Roslyn Nibbs, Qld Health
• Excellent programme - wish there was more time. – Mike Holgate
• The whole day was fantastic. First time I will leave a training day not feeling drained. Energising, informative and just great "fun"! The Best! – Helene Delarue, Qld Health
• This is by far the best workshop I have been to. With a teaching background, I have learnt so much, and will take away many practical skills. AWESOME!! – Jodie McDonald, Qld Health
• This course offered beyond my expectations. I have no hesitation in recommending this course. – Debb Winton, Qld Health

• Showcase & Presentation attendees:
• SHOWCASE WITH LAURIE KELLY
• Fantastic, a lively session – made a big impact – Jane Anderson, Dept. Training & the Arts
• I feel energised, enthusiastic & positive. - Wendy Hooker, ECTA
• Engaging, fun, highly worthwhile – Anon
• Excellent presentation with tools for changing negative thinking processes to positive. – Charllotte-Ann Webbe, Charllotte Anne Image Academy
• The Training material has inspired my thinking – the material is awesome and has assisted me greatly as a trainer to present dynamic workshops – thank you! – Anon
• One step closer – there is always more to learn – Anon.
• Laurie is a very engaging and interesting presenter who covered a wide range of topics which affect our whole lives. – Toni Michael, ECTA
• This was a fantastic morning – Sue Falwasser
• “YES” for conference/event – Anon.
• It was fabulous and very enjoyable.  I have generated a number of ideas to use both professionally and personally. – Paula Caycho
• Fantastically presented, extremely engaging and highly recommended. – Jodie Oswald, Redlands Shire Council

• STRESS & ANXIETY SHOWCASE WITH JEANNIE JONES
• Very worthwhile - Andrea, Dept. Primary Industries & Fisheries
• I have lived with anxiety for years. I now feel I'm on my way to a better life, anxiety free. - Nat Borey, Workcover Qld.
• I really love the Mindworks philosophy of "try before you buy".  The Showcase sessions allow me to be satisfied that we will get our money's worth. - Barry Lawson, Natural Resources & Mines
• I wish I'd had this information/knowledge 2 jobs ago.  So I didn't feel I'd failed and couldn't cope for so long.  WOW.  Thanks. - Anon.
• Jeannie helped me realise I'm normal - and that I can help and support others to deal with anxiety differently.   Thank you. - Shirley Wood, CorporateLink
• I have taken a lot away from this session. Thank you - it was worth coming to. - Stephanie McKenzie, Natural Resources & Water.
• Excellent awareness of "anxiety" - Anon.
• Through touching my emotions, Jeannie has impacted my efficiency and productivity. - Anon.

• Flexing the Mental Muscle comments:
• Very worthwhile course to understand yourself, colleagues and personal thought patterns. – Anon
• Very good content - there needs to be more like this! – Karla Pengilly, DEIR
• Great tools to use outside the square of work & personal life. – Barry
• Great source of awareness - enlightening. – Debra Whitby
• Very good and insightful look at ourselves and what shapes us. – Nigel Winkler

VIEW OUR COURSES  

DID YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER? - WHY NOT SHARE IT!

If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter and have a friend or colleague that might benefit from the "Mindworks Magic", please forward it on to them for their perusal. 

After all, most of our business comes via word of mouth and that fact that we're still here after 20 years means we must be doing something right!

This monthly email is our only regular form of contact with our clients and we've emailed this to you as someone who has participated in training with us or shown an interest in enhancing your skills - however, if you no longer wish to receive the Mindworks Newsletter, please advise us by sending an email by reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and we will remove you from our database.

Mindworks is committed to compliance with Australian privacy laws.

Thank You.

MINDWORKS - Helping to make you "EVEN BETTER"

407 Cedar Creek Road, Samford  Qld  4520   Ph: (07) 3289 4977  Fax:  (07) 3289 4992 

Email:  Info@mindworksteam.com.au    ABN:  52 086 503 960       Website: www.mindworksteam.com.au