By admin, on May 16th, 2012 One of the Simplest of Brain Tools
Reporter’s Formula is also called the 5 Ws and H. It is the simplest of brain tools used to quickly gain knowledge about an event or issue. Newspaper reporters use this formula to make sure they cover basic knowledge about a news story.
It is simply a matter of asking and finding answers to these questions:
1. Who?
2. When?
3. Where?
4. What?
5. Why?
6. How?
If the reporter can answer these five questions, he or she has covered the basics of the story.
What happened?
A 16 car wreck on the freeway. No one was killed, but an egg truck spilled thousands of eggs on the freeway.
Who caused the wreck?
John Smith.
Where?
The LBJ freeway in Dallas, Texas.
Why?
John Smith, ignoring common sense while driving, veered into another lane and clipped the egg truck while he was texting.
When? During the morning commute.
How? The texter’s car clipped the back of the egg truck which overturned causing others behind to plow into the turck spilling eggs everywhere.
By answering these simple questions, you won’t leave out the basics of any story, situation, or problem. Of all the great brain tools at your disposal this is one of the easiest to use.
Business Brain Tool for a Quick Analysis
Use this brain tool to get a quick read on a business problem.
What is the problem? Sales are decreasing.
When? Sales have been decreasing for the past two months.
Where? Is this happening all over, in certain regions of the country, or in certain cities?
Who? Is this happening to certain salesmen, but not affecting others? Are certain districts falling off in sales because salesmen have quit and not been replaced?
Why is this happening? Is this a seasonal problem? Is there a new competitor in the market? Was there a recent price increase?
How? How can this problem be solved?
So if you ever need a fast and easy brain tool to gather some basic information the Reporter’s Formula or 5 Ws and H, fit the bill perfectly. If the information is complex, using this simple brain tools formula can simplify getting basic information quickly.
By admin, on May 9th, 2012 Sometimes, you need clarification of your priorities in different areas. Rank Order is a simple thinking tool to clarify where you should place your priorities. These may be in business or in your personal life.
Clarifying how much value you place on any aspect of your life means you know how much effort to put into that priority. You should spend your energy and your brain power on what is important in your life.
Rank Order Your Values
What values are important in your life? Clarifying this helps you succeed in life because it gives your life focus. Here is a list of values you can rank order.
Love, beauty, truth, justice, wealth, health, knowledge, religion, art, literature, progress, science, friendship and creativity are values you can rank order. If you rank wealth as first, you will want to spend more of your time and thinking about how to produce wealth. If love is your first priority, you want to spend your time and thinking about love.
List your most important value as 1, then second most important value as 2, and so on. This will clarify your values in life.
Rank Order Business Problems
How can you make your business better? Rank order what you need to work on most. Identify problems within your business. What problem should be ranked first? Second? Once you identify the biggest problems you know where to put your best thinking to solving your problem and strengthening your business.
Rank Order Your Intelligences
Do you know which intelligence is your dominant intelligence? According to Howard Gardner, most people have two or three dominant intelligences. Rank order these intelligences:
- Linguistic
- Logical-Mathematical
- Spatial
- Kinesthetic
- Musical
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalistic
Rank order these according to how strong you are on each one. You should have a sense of which intelligence you excel at. If you rank order logical-mathematical as 1st and spatial as 2nd, you are a lock for engineering disciplines like aeronautical, mechanical, or civil engineering. You may be a natural as an architect or chemist.
What about a combination of logical-mathematical and kinesthetic intelligence? You might make an outstanding surgeon. Why kinesthetic? Because surgeons need the fine motor skills of moving their fingers deftly while operating.
Use rank order to achieve greater brain power and greater success in life.
By admin, on April 19th, 2012 Characteristics of Spatial Intelligence
One of the multiple intelligences is spatial intelligence. Spatial intelligence involves recognizing and manipulating shapes in space. It involves shapes, colors, and perspective.
How well can you visualize objects and manipulate them in your mind? Can you recognize subtle differences in shapes? These are indicators of spatial intelligence.
Are you good at imagining 3-D objects? Can you draw complex objects accurately? Good at easily manipulating a form or object? Can you “mentally rotate” forms and shapes? Can you tell whether two complex shapes are identical when viewing several similar but different objects? You work easily in the visual world.
People who have high spatial intelligence can “manipulate complex forms in several dimensions.” They can recognize the tension between lines and space as well as balance in space.
Solving spatial problems separately from logical or linguistic intelligence is a key factor in realizing the power of this intelligence.
How important is spatial intelligence? When it comes to understanding our own physical world, it would seem that spatial intelligence is indispensable. Our everyday navigation through our world depends on vision and spaces.
Spatial Intelligence in Science
Even in the high realms of science and discovery, spatial intelligence seems to underpin some profound discoveries. Einstein seemed to use this intelligence in working through his theories. The chemist Friedrich Kelcule discovered the structure of the benzene ring while aslee by dreaming of snakes who had seized their own tails in a loop. Upon awakening he unlocked the secret.
Certain scientists and engineers need spatial intelligence. Chemists, astronomers, and physicists use spatial intelligence as well as aeronautical, civil, and mechanical engineers. Artists, sculptors, and architects rely heavily on this intelligence. Chess masters use this intelligence but seem to combine it with logical-mathematical intelligence. Noted chess masters have prodigious memories of movement in space.
Spatial Intelligence in Native Environments
Eskimos have an acute sense of space and environment. They rely heavily on recognition of extremely subtle variations in snow topography that an ordinary person would be blind to
Location of Spatial Intelligence
Spatial intelligence resides mostly in the right hemisphere of the brain. Damage to the right hemisphere can degrade this intelligence significantly.
For a more detailed analysis of spatial intelligence read chapter 8 “Spatial Intelligence” from Howard Gardner’s book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
By admin, on April 12th, 2012 Mind Power to Action
Want to put your mind power into action? Edward de Bono’s Six Action Shoes, developed as an extension of Six Thinking Hats, is perfect for that purpose.
Once you develop your thinking on a topic, issue, or problem, you will want to put your knowledge to action. Six Thinking Hats provides the thinking and Six Action Shoes develops suitable types of action to put your mind power to work. It moves mind power from abstraction to physical success. Shoes are made for action and that’s what the Six Action Shoes do. So grab this mind power tool to ramp up your success.
De Bono discovered six styles of action that covered most situations.
The Six Action Shoes:
1. Navy formal shoes
2. Grey snickers
3. Brown brogues
4. Orange gumboots
5. Pink slippers
6. Purple riding boots
Navy Formal Shoes
These shoes represent the navy blue of the navy itself. They represent the style of action representing the drills and formal actions of the military. Whenever you need action calling for a routine procedure that you have learned through training, you will use the navy shoes.
Gray Snickers
This shoe is used when the situation may be unclear, confusing, or murky. Your action is exploratory, and investigative. You are acting to get information. Sneakers are for moving around or changing directions quickly.
Brown Brogues
Brogues are work shoes. Your are acting, rolling up sleeves, and getting your shoes dusty and dirty. This is the shoe of practicality. Your actions are pragmatic. You will get the job done. You may have to flexible in your actions. This is almost the opposite of the navy shoes.
Orange Gumboots
This is the emergency shoe. These are the shoes of the firefighters and rescue workers. Safety is paramount. Your are in rescue mode so consider yourself to be an emergency worker.
Pink Slippers
Pink suggests warmth and compassion. These are the empathy shoes. You are dealing with people here that need understanding in order to help the situation.
Purple Riding Boots
Purple boots suggest the action of authority like the purple of imperial Rome. These are the shoes of the leader. You are acting in an official role.
So to turn your mind power into action and thus to success. Use Six Action Shoes. For more information read Edward de Bono’s book Six Action Shoes.
By admin, on March 29th, 2012 A Thinking Tool
Six Thinking Hats is a thinking tool devised by the great thinker, Edward de Bono. He details this thinking tool strategy in his book Six Thinking Hats.
Thinking tools help break us out of our thinking ruts. De Bono uses different colored hats to represent different aspects of thinking when presented with a problem or exploring new ideas. It moves us away from one-dimensional thinking.
When we realize we need to do some complex thinking on a subject, we call on the six hats. Each hat represents a different way to think about our problem. By separating thinking into different strands our thinking becomes less confused and better organized. Each hat symbolizes a different way of thinking about the problem.
As we move through the thinking process, we will keep in mind the six thinking hats, using them one at a time to explore our problem.
The Six Thinking Hats:
- The White Hat
- The Red Hat
- The Back Hat
- The Yellow Hat
- The Green Hat
- The Blue Hat
The Six Hats thinking tool is best used as a group process. Usually, people are given a minute to voice their input for each color hat.
Six Thinking Hats Explained
The White Hat represents anything having to do with facts and figures. It is the objective aspect of thinking Think of this phase of the thinking process in terms of gathering information. You need as much good information as you can find. At the end of the process, you may need to classify facts as “for sure” facts and facts that need to be verified through further research. After this process is exhausted move to the next hat.
The Red Hat calls for intuition, feelings, and emotions. How does one feel about the problem? What is your gut feeling about the topic?
The Black Hat is the critical hat. What could happen? It is the cautious hat. What could go wrong?
The Yellow Hat represents the positive. What good can come out of this? What are the benefits?
The Green Hat represents creativity. What new ideas can we come up with? It is an exploration of possibilities. Don’t be critical here. Anything goes. New concepts and perceptions are welcome.
The Blue Hat is the organizing hat. It is the overview. The group leader usually wears the Blue Hat. He uses the Blue Hat to determine whether the group needs more of one kind of thinking, He or she may say, “We need more Yellow Hat thinking on this.”
Outcome of the Six Thinking Hats Process
At the end of the process, the leader summarizes the findings and calls for possible conclusion. He may ask, “What have we learned?”
Six Thinking Hats details a great thinking tool. Add it to your stockpile of thinking strategies and tools. It is an easy to read book and worth the time to read and learn.
Other Thinking Books by de Bono
For other Edward de Bono books about thinking check out Lateral Thinking, De Bono’s Thinking Course, Teach Your Child to Think, and Six Action Shoes.
By admin, on March 14th, 2012 About Mind Maps
The mind map is one thinking tool every dedicated thinker needs. Few thinking tools offer the range and power of the mind map. It is so versatile a thinking technique that someone would have to write a book to explore all the possibilities. Luckily, someone did, Tony Buzan in his The Mind Map Book:
How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential.
Increase Brain Power: Start a Thinker’s Library
This is a book worth buying and adding to your Thinker’s Library. If you don’t have one, start with this book. Buzan develops many exercises to help you develop different kinds of mind maps. Mind maps are a sure way to grow your brain power.
Tony Buzan does a through job explaining how to create mind maps and gives ample and beautiful illustrations, 84 color and 44 black and white.
The Brain, Pictures, and Memory
Mind maps are an almost perfect mnemonic (memory) aid. This is because the mind remembers images, pictures, and graphics astoundingly better than it remembers words and numbers. In other words, the brain remembers pictures better than words and numbers. And it isn’t even close.
Many Uses of Mind Maps
Buzan develops many ways your brain can use mind maps. You can use them for organizing, taking notes, writing, and thinking. Professors have mind mapped their courses. Students who have experienced writer’s block have used the mind map to break their impasse. Business presentations have been build using a mind map.
Once you have created a mind map, it will be locked into your brain as long-term memory. Whatever your field of study or life’s work, you should create at least one mind map to lock in important concepts and theories. Mind maps can also be used as an organizing tool when collecting research.
Tony divides his book into five divisions:
1. Natural Architecture
2. Foundations
3. Structure
4. Synthesis
5. Uses
Architecture of Your Brain
In “Division 1: Natural Architecture,” Buzan provides valuable information as to the architecture of the brain and how it works. He explores the normal way people take notes which is a linear process. He and his research team developed a more effective way of note taking using the brain’s natural architecture by using patterns and “radiant thinking.”
Your Brain’s Connection to Words and Images
In “Division 2: Foundations,” Buzan lays the groundwork for the connection between words and images. He uses brainstorming and association techniques to begin the process of building powerful mind maps.
Building Good Mind Maps
In “Division 3: Structure,” Buzan introduces his laws and recommendations on building good mind maps. One interesting technique is called synaesthesia, “the linking of the physical senses.” In essence it is a process of linking images with knowledge in a drawing technique.
Mind Map Synthesis
In “Division 4: Synthesis,” Buzan shows how to build the mind map, what to put in it, and what to emphasize. He introduces the dyadic mind map and how you can develop a complex classification system using a polycategoric Mind Map, There are also chapters on organizing other people’s ideas, memory, creative thinking, and how to do a group mind map.
Many Uses of Mind Maps
In “Division 5: Uses,” Buzan outlines the many uses for mind maps including personal, family, educational, business, and professional.
Recommendation: Buy The Mind Map Book
If you want to lock down an extremely versatile and powerful thinking tool, add The Mind Map Book:
How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential to your Thinker’s Library.
Tony Buzan was one of the early brain pioneers who realized the brain was far more versatile, complex, and powerful than most scientists acknowledged. You might want to check out his other excellent brain books.
By admin, on March 7th, 2012 Musical intelligence is one of Howard Gardner’s seven original intelligences.
Musical Intelligence Defined
Music is a sound based intelligence. It is based on aural recognition and recognition of patterns. A person with high musical intelligence has an inherent ability to recognize the quality of sounds. They have a feel for musicality. They have a desire to create musical rhythms.
Core Components of Musical Intelligence
- Pitch
- Rhythm
- Timber
Pitch recognition involves recognizing whether a sound is lower or higher. Rhythm is the patterns of sound. Timbre is the quality of a tone.
Development of Musical Intelligence
Musical intelligence usually flowers early on in a child’s life. Early on babies will sing as well as babble. They can imitate sounds, tones, and patterns. By two months they can copy pitch and loudness. By four months they can imitate rhythms. In mid second year they begin to create their own sounds and rhythms.
Children who exhibit high musical intelligence best develop in a musical family or are exposed to formal training like the Suzuki program at an early age.
The transition to musical genius begins in the teenage years. The talented child may have had a free rein in his or her development and reveled in the musical creativity. But the point is reached when a formal study of music is necessary to further develop musical intelligence. There can be a clash between an intuitive feel for music and a formal training necessary to produce works of composition.
Continue reading Multiple Intelligences: Musical Intelligence
By admin, on February 29th, 2012 How Scientists Use Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
Last post we talked about how mathematicians use logical-mathematical intelligence. Now we will present some thoughts on how scientists use this intelligence and the difference between the two groups.
Abstraction dominates the mathematician’s use of logical-mathematical intelligence. They use symbols and notation. This is especially true at the higher levels where logic becomes as dominant as the mathematics.
Scientists, on the other hand, deal in the physical world of objects. For them, mathematics and logic are major tools to discover the laws governing nature.
The Young Scientist
The young scientist wonders about the physical world, the planets and stars, animals and plants, chemicals and the invisible of electrons and atoms. He ponders the nature of light and magnetism. He may wonder about hidden laws, but he wants to know how they affect physical phenomenon. His early toys are the microscope, the telescope, chemistry set, and toy rockets. He wants to know how things work and why. His world is full of questions like “What if?”
Continue reading Logical-Mathematical Intelligence and Scientists
By admin, on February 20th, 2012 Mathematicians and scientists use logical-mathematical intelligence. In this post we will concentrate on the mathematician. This post is exploratory rather than authoritative.
What Logical-Mathematical Intelligence Is
When you think about logical-mathematical intelligence, think about seeing relationships like comparisons and contrasts, differences and sameness, patterns and sequences, truths and equations. Think about moving from the concrete to the abstract or moving from the abstract to the concrete. Think about the world of analogy and the world of syllogism. Think about chains of reasoning from simple to complex. Think about numbers, quantities, operations, shapes, and statements. Think about equations and theories and proofs. The logical-mathematical person works effectively in these areas of thought.
Logical-Mathematical-Intelligence in Childhood
The beginnings of logical-mathematical intelligence occur when a child begins to understand numbers. At first the numbers must be tied to the concrete world. Thus, a boy can count his toy cars as 1… 2… 3…. when he can see them, but he can’t really understand the number 3 as an abstraction. She can count on her fingers to ten. Children at this age are very concrete in their thinking.
The next stage begins true abstraction where the growing child usually in late childhood or early adolescent begins to think in abstraction and symbol. At this stage they understand what numbers are and what quantity is without the use of concrete objects or “manipulatives”. They can visualize or abstract numbers and simple operations. The boy can see simple relationships like he has “more” plastic animals than toy cars. Arithmetic is being mastered and the groundwork for the simpler equations of algebra can be introduced. The age when this happens varies. So you have early bloomers and late bloomers.
Continue reading Multiple Intelligences: Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
By admin, on January 17th, 2012 Raise Your Intelligence by Firing Off Your Neurons
Brain cells are nerve cells called neurons. The neuron is usually composed of one axon and many dendrites. When a neuron receives input or information from the five senses, it starts sending out information. The axon sends the information while the dendrites of other cells receive the information. What the neuron does is fire off an electrical or chemical signal. Usually, there is a small gap between an axon and dendrites of other cells called a synapse. Neurons must find a function or they will die off. These firings help the neuron find a function, thereby insuring the cell will live and develop.
Connecting Brain Cells Form Intelligent Networks
The most important quote in neuroscience to date:
Neurons that fire together, wire together.
Neurons or brain cells can be connected and turned into networks. This is important because these networks can be specialized to grow different types of intelligence. So if you write poetry, you will grow specialized networks that support linguistic intelligence. If you study architecture, you will develop specialized spatial networks.
How do neuroscientists know this happens? Thanks to new brain scanning devices, they can “see” and map what is happening in the brain as a person learns and uses information. In one instance, they were able to map the neural networks of a professional violinist. Her networks that controlled hand movement were twice the size of a normal person’s. She had developed a specialized network that reinforced her skill of playing a violin. No doubt she had other networks that were built to accommodate her musical intelligence.
This is why neuroscientists now say that the brain has plasticity. You can customize your intelligence in areas that interest you or areas you want to strengthen.
Thus brain cells are important because they become specialized, building intelligent networks. The brain becomes more intelligent not because it grows bigger, but because more cells form connections with other cells. In essence, the brain grows denser.
Continue reading Brain Cells, Intelligence, and Learning
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