A Quarterly Newsletter

“Thinking in a Whole New Light”

"Imagine that your boss has handed you a plum assignment -- to come up with a long-range marketing plan for your company. While you're excited about the project, you're also concerned about taking a fresh approach, about finding new ways to sell the same old products.

When devising your marketing plan consider this: how you think can actually help you develop something that's distinctive and effective. The Power of Innovative Thinking published by National Press Publications, author Jim Wheeler warns against thinking the same way all the time because it leads to business-as-usual plans and decisions.

"Trains must go where the tracks lead; they cannot follow unplanned routes. Similarly, if we always think along the same tracks, we'll probably arrive at the same destination. But if we use a helicopter for our journey, we're not limited by ‘tracks’."

A Thinking Quiz

To determine your particular thinking style, take this short test from Wheeler's book. Complete each phrase by choosing either (a.) or (b.).

1. When a new computer software program is loaded on your computer, you prefer to
(a.) proceed through the tutorial
(b.) start using the program right away, learning through trial and error

2. You prefer to
(a.) vary your route to and from work
(b.) always take the same route to and from work

3. When dining out, you usually
(a.) order the same foods
(b.) order different foods most every time

4. When taking notes during meetings or conferences, your notes are
(a.) usually covered with doodles
(b.) neat and well organized
5. When you travel by car to a distant city, you prefer to
(a.) plan your route and stick to it
(b.) plan a number of routes and decide which way to go once you're on the road

6. When faced with several different tasks, you prefer to
(a.) work on several tasks at one time
(b.) complete one task before starting on the next

7. When required to learn new and difficult material, you prefer to
(a.) study one source of information
(b.) use different sources of information

8. Your desk at work or home contains
(a.) a wide variety of pens and pencils
(b.) one or only a few writing tools

9. The files in your desk are
(a.) arranged logically so most people would find anything
(b.) arranged so that only you can find anything

10. You prefer to associate with people who
(a.) have many different and varied interests
(b.) have interests similar to yours

Add together all your (a.) answers for the odd-numbered questions and all your (b.) answers for the even-numbered questions. If the total is eight or more, you tend to have an adaptive thinking style. If the total is three or less, you tend to have an innovative thinking style. If your score falls between three and eight, then the situation usually dictates which thinking style you follow. Whichever style you tend toward -- adaptive or innovative -- just remember neither is right or wrong.

Adaptive vs. Innovative Thinking

According to Wheeler, adaptive thinkers offer stability because they tend to:

•Follow established patterns
•Be well organized
•Focus on a goal
•Be pleased when a decision is made
•Feel comfortable handling one task at a time
•Like to learn through one source

In contrast, Wheeler says innovative thinkers try to change the rules or redefine the system as they go along. They tend to:

•Use different methods to get results
•Appear unorganized
•Value the process more than the actual goal
•Prefer to continue the process rather than reach the goal
•Be involved in more than one activity or task at a time
•Like to learn through more than one source

Successful people rely on both styles of thinking, depending on the situations they face and the results they're looking for. An innovative style opens up new possibilities and eliminates stuck-in-a-rut thinking, while an adaptive style keeps you organized and goal oriented. If you're working on a team, committee or task force, it helps to have both thinking styles represented because they actually complement each other.

It is helpful to remember that not everyone is driven or a perfectionist and there is room for them too. Rewards are different for different people. To some, getting a new position with more responsibility is a reward. To others, a day off is a reward. Learn which person you are talking to, if you want to get results.

This article adapted from the National Seminars web site.

Margaret Kellogg
to present

“What? Me Worry?”

“Stress and worry comes with any job. Furthermore, stress and worry come with life. Join us Tuesday, June 24, for an interactive session that will assist you in dealing with these weighty emotions entitled “What? Me Worry?” Margaret Kellogg, LCSW, will be back to conduct this informative lunch break seminar.

Kellogg will discuss strategies for making the most out of a bad situation, along with focusing on turning negative energy into positive outcomes. The insights and strategies, which Kellogg will present, can lead to improvements in the personal organization of your work, developing better techniques for getting along with others, and finding that important balance between work and your personal life.

Location for this Women’s Health Series lunch break seminar is the East Tennessee Room, D.P. Culp University Center, noon.

“WOMEN & MONEY”
PERSONAL FINANCE SERIES

Are you one of the millions of women who use money every day, but you need some assistance with wide-range planning or maybe you haven't started planning for your financial well-being? Although American women earn more than $1 trillion a year, control 55 percent of the nation’s wealth, and handle 75 percent of family finances, many haven’t planned efficiently enough or really started to plan for the future.

This financial gap between men and women does not have to exist. Women and Money: A Guide to Financial Well-being, part of SAFECO's Strengthening America's Neighborhoods, is designed to help women plan for their financial health now and in the future. SAFECO partnered with Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation to offer this hands-on seminar. The financial planning guidebook covers such topics as goal setting, budgeting, managing credit, investing, and retirement planning in an open, interactive environment that fosters the kinds of interpersonal connections and real-life solutions that make learning fun, relevant, and effective.

SAFECO developed this free series through years of research, feedback from focus group participants, and support from legal and investment professionals. Both the guidebook and seminars are designed to educate and empower women in financial planning. Stocked with a detailed glossary and references for texts, web sites, and other outside financial planning resources, the guidebook will be an invaluable financial planning tool.

“Women and Money” will be facilitated by Ani Quinby of the Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation. The five-part series will be presented at the Women's Resource Center, Panhellenic Hall, Basement Suite 2. Beginning Thursday, July 17, and scheduled for four consecutive Thursdays, the series will end on August 14. Provided through SAFECO, lunch will be included with each session. Reserve your space by calling the WRC at 423-439-7847.

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