Whatever your level of ability, one of the core secrets of high performance is that in all endeavors, periods of decline and stasis are inevitable. The same pattern of ups and downs holds true for attempts to master new information technology systems, developing better presentation skills, learning to speak a new language, improving your performance in skiing, golf or tennis. And these periods of decline and stasis are also inevitable in the progress of an economy or an individual investment portfolio.

These times of stasis and especially times of decline are the danger points in the process of learning and growth. It’s at these moments that frustration can lead to depression, inadequacy and despair. And these feelings can compromise our judgment and the continuity of our efforts. Over the long term, however, optimism in the face of adversity is the most distinguishing characteristic of successful individuals and organizations. It’s also one of the secrets of the accomplishments of the greatest geniuses in human history.

Leonardo da Vinci worked for sixteen years to craft a model for his amazing 24 foot high horse sculpture but invading French troops destroyed his masterpiece and drove him into exile. Undaunted, he wrote “All obstacles will be overcome with perseverance,” and he added, “Fix your course to a star and you can navigate through any storm.” Five-hundred years after the destruction of Leonardo’s model, his horse was reborn thanks to Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc.

Thomas Edison overcame adversity many times. One particularly notable example occurred in 1914, when Edison was 67. A fire ravaged the phonograph factory at his West Orange, New Jersey complex. Edison lost approximately $5 million that night – the equivalent of $75 million today. His son Charles, ran to his father’s side, thinking Edison would be devastated. Instead, Charles was amazed to see his father smiling. Edison told his son, “Go get your mother. She’ll never have a chance to see anything like this again in her entire life.” Edison then called his senior team together and began organizing the recovery campaign on the spot. He urged his team to focus on rebuilding the phonograph factories in a manner that “took advantage of the latest improvements in factory design.”

Edison’s response to the fire highlights the deeply embedded nature of his optimism. As Biographer Dr. Paul Israel describes it, “Where others might see disaster and failure he was always optimistically looking for opportunities and seeing the possibility of new directions for improvements.” Edison’s resilience in the face of adversity gave him tremendous credibility with the public.

As the U.S. entered the Great Depression in 1929 Edison was called to address the nation on numerous occasion. His words then echo to us today as we face another great challenge:

“Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!”

This autumn has been super busy and very productive. Here are a few notes from folks who attended seminars in the last month or so…

October 13-16 Merck Rahway Lab Leading Innovation Seminar for 28 Scientists

Feedback summary note from Dr. Alison Strack:

Based on an analysis of the survey forms and 1:1 conversations, the general feedback was unanimously positive. The attendees conveyed that they learned valuable tools and methods for problem solving and conflict resolution, presentation & communication skills, seeking win-win situations, & collaboration. Most people shared the sentiment that in this time of change and stress, they appreciated learning tools to stay centered, focused, listening with empathy and mind mapping. Some of the quotes from the feedback surveys are:

• “wish I had the course early in my career”
• “recommend to associates and incoming band 6s”
• “excellent course; right balance of examples, practical games”
• “course more than fulfilled my expectations”
• “great course – I was expecting to waste most of my time and was pleasantly surprised”
• “more training like this, please!”

October 20-23, 2009: Orchestrator and Keynote Speaker for Conscious Capitalism Summit

Note from Dr. Jean Houston, author The Possible Human

“Michael Gelb brings state of the art knowledge of the working of the brain and the quickening of creativity to his immensely popular presentations and facilitations. He is a master of the art of bringing his audience to experience new ways of exploring their own minds and creative possibilities. Great lectures leavened by high hilarity, juggling, mind mapping and the exploration of the nature and practice of genius (especially in his presentation of the principles that informed the life of Leonardo da Vinci) make for an experience that illumines while it entertains. He is unique in what he offers and raises any conference or seminar to unexpected heights.”

October 28, 2009 Institute for Management Studies

Innovate Like Edison Seminar in Houston

I just wanted to say what a great job you did this week in Houston. I have gotten more personal emails from people who attended raving on what a great session it was. Several called it the best IMS session they ever attended! I really enjoyed having you here and look forward to getting you back with the DaVinci program.

Nov 3 and 4, 2009 Microsoft Operations Division 2-day Seminar (160 participants)

Summary from Chief of Staff Dan Klein:

Michael scored an average of 5 out of 5 from our participants. He was a very engaging, thoughtful speaker that appealed to Operations’ traditional left brain thinking while encouraging us to leverage our right brain creativity. Excellent examples backed by statistics/numbers/data that helped sell the message to Operations. Tailored his comments and approach to the Operations audience.

Nov 15, 2009 in Cleveland – one day seminar for 80 member of Legal and Audit departments of University Hospitals Health System, Inc.

Note from Janet Miller, Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Michael, Everyone ranked the presentation yesterday as the best that they had every heard. Today, people are still energized and juggling balls. The seminar was the most inspiring that they had attended and, one of the most liked features, was that it applied both to work and to their personal lives. So, thank you for making a positive difference in our lives. It was great to meet you and see one of the human geniuses who writes about geniuses. I look forward to working with you in the future.

These are some of the comments from the group:

• “Michael Gelb was very engaging as a speaker. He brought up some really interesting concepts and some valuable ideas as how to apply them. Plus, who doesn’t love juggling!?!?”
• “Favorite part was discovering to use the right side of my brain. The retreat was interesting and well worth it.”
• “Very informative. Really enjoyed it and would love to have him present again.”
• “Interesting history, energized and good presentation style.”
• “Inspiring ideas to approach things differently/from a different perspective.”
• “Enjoyed the combination of thoughts re: Edison and DaVinci.”
• “Michael Gelb’s presence – he truly was motivating…”

The Nightingale-Conant Corporation was founded in 1960 based on the notion that: “Your world is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind.”

In the mid-1990s, I recorded three bestselling programs at their Chicago area headquarters. The company went through a number of changes and, over the years, the recordings fell out of print.

Now, they’re back! As Earl Nightingale emphasized: “Creativity is a natural extension of our enthusiasm.”

I’m very enthusiastic about the rebirth of these programs, all designed to help you optimize your vast potential

Mind Mapping: How to Liberate Your Natural Genius

• Think faster and more creatively
• Get more work done in far less time
• Tune in to your intuitive inner voice
• Create a Life Map that clarifies and coordinates your goals and values
• Identify talents you never knew you had

Putting Your Creative Genius to Work

• Master the powerful skill of “synvergent thinking”
• Balance the right and left hemispheres of your brain for powerful
  whole-brain thinking
• Easily integrate profound understanding and rapid recall
• Perform exercises that will stretch and improve your creative visualization
• Implement the ultimate secret of success
  

Speak with Power

• Program your brain for success through positive visualization
• Have fun while giving the very best of yourself to an audience
• Use the five-step PROPAR approach to deliver an unforgettable presentation
• Articulate ideas effectively with body language
• Tackle the fear of public speaking in an honest and straightforward manner

Excellence always sells.
Earl Nightingale

Spark Your Own Spiritual Renaissance with the Seven Principles of Leonardo da Vinci

Since the release of How to Think Like Leonardo in 1998, I’ve received many questions about the Maestro’s insights into deeper reality.

I invested a lot of time researching the real “Davinci Code” (which, of course, has nothing do to with the Priory of Sion, etc). In 2004, Random House released DaVinci Decoded, described by mind-map creator Tony Buzan as, “A masterpiece of Spiritual Intelligence.”

Then, in 2007, the folks at Sounds True invited me to make a 6-hour Audio Learning Course on the spiritual implications of Leonardo’s principles.

I flew to Boulder to record this program after 3 weeks on the road and I arrived with the remnants of a nasty flu. The Sounds True team was wonderful and made every effort to support me.

I made the program in an Altered State, (altered by jet lag and a fever!) and I really had no idea if my 2 days in the studio would produce anything other than incoherent rambling.

It seems, however, that the challenging conditions helped an authentic voice come through. Listeners love it! And, I’m very pleased that we can offer this complete program at a dramatic discount of more than 50% off the list price.

(*$29.00 includes shipping in the US. Please contact us for international shipping rates.)