New Jobs for Older Workers : Jenni Proctor

New Jobs for Older Workers (2012) is the result of years of dedicated application by Jenni Proctor. It is a great targeted little book for those who wish to settle for a more rewarding career as they approach that wonderful empowering age of 55 or older.
Why do I say 55? Simply because this is the time when people start restructuring to transition into retirement. As this stage of life no one wants to be bullied or experience dull, listless boredom.
Jenni would probably say that you should be thinking about this at about 40!
Renegotiating Life’s Goals
55 years is a time when values are renegotiated and a different type of goal setting emerges. For example if the goal is now travel this genre might become a means of bringing in a little income from retirement activities. As Jenni says looking at a range of income streams that can spin off career changes is a worthwhile thing to do.
I have known Jenni for a very long time.  We have worked together and subsequently transitioned in separate employment spheres. I am a writer and educator who is absorbed by managing conversations with philosophers and writers in the context of Rapid eLearning.  The channel is a space where we interact, inform and be informed by the artists who struggle to understand the educational philosophy of these connected times.  For those of that vare artists we delve into the intricacies of the pedagogy and the andragogy of the times in which these art genres were are are rapidly evolving.

Writing as a Suport for Embarking on a New Career

So although Jenni and I now travel different roads we often find ways to catch on the campuses of places such as Australian Catholic University. You will see from our LinkedIn profiles that Jenni acted as a Career Counsellor and I was and still am a sessional lecturer. It has been an amazing journey and rather intriguing to see how our paths have crossed while we explore options and draw on our inner emotional reserves.  It has taken tenacaty and resilience and network support to find ways to move about the fluid world of opportunity blended from online and offline activities in a steady stream of contract work and self-engendered Internet opportunity.

Valuing Oneself in a World of Rapid Change

Jenni is an empowering counsellor.  She always taught me to value myself and my time. I was a little disappointed to see that the Kindle edition of her book was only $1.99! My own book is soon to be released and it will sit at $15 and $160 in an eTwist. I have studied Internet marketing and I know that the first text one releases is usually free or based at 99c as a way of haring with others until such time as the author has a following. I find this strategy a hard one to watch as I have learned so much from Jenni over the years and respect her tenacity and the knowledge she shares with others so highly.

Social Media and Transitioning in the Workforc

I read Jenni’s articles on LinkedIn, which Jenni says “is the largest social networking program existing solely to bring together people in on a business or professional level.
On March 22 2011 they reached 100 million members around the world. Members invite people to become a trusted contact via LinkedIn. Members also join groups, formed around a common interest. Through these groups you can easily connect with others who are interested in the same professional or business interests, you can communicate with them and engage in conversation.”
Quite frankly I am amazed by the value of this networking tool. It is a very tangible way of staying in contact with professionals and means that the connections  (such as mine and Jenni’s) can be fostered even we see each other very rarely. It was on Linked In that I just happened to notice that Jenni and written a book.

The Art of Book Marketing

I actually study book marketing as a topic.  Here is a book review that has been useful to me Marketing Your Book on Amazon by Shelley Hitz.

I hope that it is all right to make a few suggestions about the book itself before closing. Could there be a Guide on the Side workbook downloadable from the Career Clarity Website? (Or is it there already?)

And next time Jenni could you spread the word directly to those of us who love you and would have written a book review immediately so as to be there to support and to cheer?

Proctor, Jenni (2012-10-11). New Jobs for Older Workers: A Practical Guide to Rewarding Career Change (Help Me Find A Job) (Kindle Locations 1027-1030). Clarity Connections Pty Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Philosophical Linguistics : Join the Never Ending Argument!

Janet Cameron is a retired university lecturer who now manages a channel called Philosophical Linguistics.  To explain what the channel is about Janet writes that Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) has been celebrated as “The Father of Linguistics” for his work in the field of structural analysis or “the science of signs.”  She goes on to explain that Saussure’s findings followed the related work of anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss who applied structural analysis to mythology.

How this Channel Relates to Creativity Talks

When the pending middle years creative arts text called Global Citizen is released readers will see that much of the work has been stimulated by the debates about freedom and the possibility of world peace that emerged through the art world of the 1960s amd ’70s.

The work of these great men was not the only thing being “hotly discussed during the 1960s.”  You will see that in Global Citizen the work of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s installation and performance pieces are predominantly featured.   Articles below show the ideas as they take form…….

• Performing the Other : Art historian Jieun Rhee looks at the series of performances by Yoko Ono, within the context created by social, cultural, national and ethnic audience response.
• Communication Art of Yoko Ono In the mid -1950s Ono started writing scores, or instructions, in simple words for viewers as performers and as imagination exercises.

• Invitational Interactive Art Performance Installation The painting Child in a Bottle was the focus of an invitational, interactive installation over lunch hour in a school in Brisbane, Australia

Making Links and Connections Being Part of a Channel Online

Within the context of Rapid eLearning conversations with philosophers and writers such as Janet, Michael, Doug, myself  and others who interact can inform and be informed by the artists who struggle to understand the philosophy of the times in which these art genres were evolving.

Cameron says she set the channel Philosophical Linguistics as a creative conversation which would frame the explorations this way …..

Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) took a sceptical approach, denying that there could be stability or coherent meaning in language. He claimed that Western Philosophy was mistaken in trying to establish truth, certainty and stability in language and he described the way it attempted this as a “set of violent hierarchies.”

Derrida’s theories are notoriously difficult to grasp even as they continue to fascinate. The first time I produced an assignment on Derrida, my tutor threw it back at me in disgust.  “That’s not it,” he snapped. Yet, there is something beguiling about this man and his theories, and the need to explore further persisted and continues to this day.

Long after his death, Saussure still has a steady fan-base while Derrida’s ideas exploring the play of language reach well into the realms of linguistic philosophy, ensuring the argument is not going to end anytime soon.

Join the never-ending argument!

Janet Cameron’s Biographical Details

MA, Cert.Ed is a retired university lecturer and author of twelve books, women’s short fiction and a magazine column. Her first published work was a novel, followed by a business book, eight history books and two walking books. Her current publisher is Amberley Publishing. and for her walking books, Countryside Books

• Janet writes a regular monthly column for Writers Forum and has contributed articles to Writing in Education, Mslexia, The Woman Writer, Paranormal Magazine, Bygone Kent, People’s Friend, The Observer and The Sunday Telegraph.
• Her short stories have appeared in Woman, My Weekly, Bella, The Sunday Post, People’s Friend and several literary journals and her poems have appeared in Acumen, Equinox, The Open University Poetry Anthology and Logos.

Non-Fiction Books:

• Paranormal Eastbourne, Amberley Publishing, 2010.
• LGBT Brighton and Hove, Amberley Publishing, 2009.
• Paranormal Brighton and Hove, Amberley Publishing, 2009.
• Brighton and Hove – Murders and Misdemeanours, Amberley Publishing, 2009.
• Medway – Murder and Crime, Tempus Publishing, 2008.
• Kiddiwalks in Kent, Countryside Books, 2007.
• Kent – Fifteen Pocket Pub Walks, Countryside Books, 2006.
• Dover – Murder & Crime, Tempus Publishing, 2006.
• Haunted Kent, Tempus Publishing, 2005.
• Canterbury Streets, Tempus Publishing, 2005.
• The Competitive Couple, Mercury Business Books, 1990. (Sequel to undermentioned, commissioned and dropped when publisher went into liquidation. First serial rights purchased by the Daily Express.
• The Competitive Woman, W.H. Allen, Mercury Business Books, 1988. Translated into Polish, Serbo-Croat, Mandarin Chinese.

Fiction:

• Surrogate Lover, W.H. Allen, 1988. Translated into German.

Decoded Science Articles:

• The N-Word: Neutralizing the Power to Harm Through Racial Epithets
• Dehumanizing Others Through Racial Slurs: Interview with Adam Croom

Awards:

• Suite Newcomer of the Month Award, January 2011
• Editor’s Choice on Suite for “Art Criticism: Originality, Forgery and Aesthetics,” December 20, 2010
• John Walter Salver, (Humorous short story) 2007, 3rd prize
• Clemence Dane (Monologue) October, 2007, 1st prize
• John Walter Salver (Article, Sense of Place) December, 2006, 3rd prize
• The Elizabeth Longford Trophy (Poem) May, 2006, commended
• John Walter Salver, (Short Story) December, 2005, highly commended
• The Elizabeth Longford Trophy (Poem) May, 2005, highly commended:

Qualifications:

• 2003 M.A. in Modern Poetry, University of Kent at Canterbury.
• 1996: B.A. (Hons), Literature and Philosophy, The Open University.
• 1993: Cert.Ed (fe), Croydon College with Oxbridge University.

Teaching:

• 2000-2006: Lectured in Creative Writing and Literature for the University of Kent.
• 1989-1998: Taught Creative Writing, G.C.S.E. English and Special Needs for Sutton College of Liberal Arts and Croydon Continuing Education and Training.
• Privately: Tutored in English and Maths, 4-11 year-olds.

Previously:

• Janet founded and ran her own office supplies business.

Most Special Moment:

In 2007 Janet Cameron won the Clemence Dane competition, She received her award in London from Simon Brett in the presence of Princess Michael of Kent, who, to her amazement, later asked her if she had any ‘writing tips’ for her.

Connect to Janet

Find Janet Cameron on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/janettecameron/

Creative Artists Dealing With Self Sabotage

 

This is the feeling of being squashed down

This image is from a new article called How to Recognise and Deal with Self Sabotage in the Creative Arts. The article begins…Chamine describes factors that contribute to success in Positive Intelligence.(2012)  In the context of an art based practice, the artist’s potential is determined by a synergy of factors, including cognitive intelligence (IQ), emotional intelligence (EQ) combined with the attributes we would normally think of as talent, such as mastery of a combination of skills, knowledge and experience.  For an artist to be successful he or she must have the confidence to put their art out to the world and develop the nurturing and supportive sets of relationships that come to be called an artist’s social network.

If you would like to comment please do so on the discussion boards.

Jo

 

Strengthening Personal Resilience

Pressifield says; “The enemy of the artist is the small-time Ego, which begets Resistance, which is the dragon that guards the gold.” [The War of Art 2012]

The Victim

In the The War of Art] (2012) Pressfield labels the enemy of artistic practice creative resistance.  Some people call this state of resistance procrastination.   Resistance can simply be defined as a destructive force inside human nature that rises whenever we consider a tough, long-term course of action.  Think of the amount of hours, dedication and practice it would take to become an internationally acclaimed world-class pianist.

Why Developing Artists Need to Build Resilience

The creative arts require what are called mastery experiences.   Not just one but many of them and unfortunately, usually they are required to be experienced on a daily basis.   Fortunately mastery experiences can be facilitated for students and teachers in small chunks.  These chunks are often described as elements of creative knowledge and they are combined by a kind of lubricant called principles. It takes quite a long time and a lot of effort to combine all of these elements and principles in just such a way as to bring forth a powerfully liberated creative artist.

Be a Part of the Lifestyle of Creativity Explosion Worldwide

There is a creativity explosion occurring worldwide because artists can find ample support in creative communities of practice to sustain their need for emotional and educational encouragement online.  These online communities of practice are often called CLIPs: Communities of Learning Inquiry and Practice.  As more and more online communities come together, they provide evidence that there is a creative genius hidden in each and every one of us if we are willing to take the time and accept the support needed to foster and nurture this capacity. 

Treasuring the Opportunity to Design a Creative Lifestyle

There is no such thing as treasure won without effort.  Any gift that has come too easily will dissipate just as easily.  This is because it has not been valued or fought for.  But this level of ability entwined with mass- potential for creativity has its enemies and Pressfield (2012) provides for us a rogue’s gallery of the many manifestations of this condition of closed mindedness. As you read the book you will recognize each and every one of the lil’ devils described, for this force lives within us all

—   self-sabotage

—   self-deception

—   self-corruption

Writers know it as “block,” a creativity paralysis whose symptoms can bring on all manner of excuses for indecision and inability to perform at all let alone act and think creatively.

Artists Must Develop Positive Intelligence in a Proactive Way

In the book Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS (Chamine, 2012) talks about Positive Intelligence and he also says that Creativity Saboteurs are a universal phenomenon – they are the characterisation of feelings of insecurity that all people have when they face a daunting task.   Have you ever watched someone play the piano or work on a sculpture and thought?  “Oh! I could never do that!”

This is because to be able to design a creative lifestyle people need to be taught the basic building blocks and structure and steps of any creative process.   Pressfield claims that the question is not – whether you have creativity saboteurs – but which ones affect you and how strong they are.  Saboteurs that act as blocks to creativity are universal—spanning cultures, genders, and age groups—because they are connected to the functions of the brain that are focused on survival.   All people from all cultures develop saboteurs early in childhood.    People do this in order to survive the perceived threats of life, both physical and emotional.

Unfortunately later in life these saboteurs become redundant and are no longer needed.   By taking an inner journey creative individuals risk taking a long, hard sustained look at their invisible foe and provide themselves with a perfect opportunity to “slay the dragon”. 

To be able to develop this creative attitude to resilience each individual has to look at his or her own fears – or the discouraging things their saboteurs say – and face up to the challenge that these annoying little whispers provide.  By acknowledging fear for just what it is FEAR (Usually of failure) artists can dismiss the negative thoughts that hold them back and take up so much time and energy. 

We can turn this thing called fear into a resolute belief that “I can face everything and respond.”

Resources:

• Chamine,S. (2012) Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS. Kindle
• Pressfield,S. (2012) The War of Art. Kindle

Marketing Your Book on Amazon by Shelley Hitz

Unlike other reviewers I don’t yet have a book on Amazon. As you all know I am about to publish a Middle Years Creative Arts textbook soon. Global Citizens will be packaged in an eReader and will become an example of Rapid eLearning. Now I have the writing bug! I have gathered enough ideas to start publishing adult books about developing resilience and confidence in your creative arts practice.

Thanks to Shelly I have already started to work on the “21 things” she outlines in the book. She explains how to unpack in the authors area and how to set information out on the Amazon sellers site so that the book gains maxiumum exposure.  The book is almost like a guided tour.

Marketing Your Book On Amazon: 21 Things You Can Easily Do For Free To Get More Exposure and Sales (Book Marketing on a Shoestring Budget) has been an enlighhtening read. The clear instructions will get any book publishing venture off to a good start. It is good to have such a logically formatted guide that explains clearly how to set up as an author on Amazon.

I have already signed up for GoodReads and have downloaded a template sent by Shelley as a gift for writing this review. The template is easy to use and practical – this I love.
It is great to know there is a self publishing coach at hand who really knows her stuff! As soon as I have a chance I am going to sign up for her Publishing Course
Thanks Shelly – I know that I received copy of the book from you – but it is well worth buying and you have tempted me to see what else you have in store.

Resources:

•  Hitz,S. (2012) Marketing Your Book On Amazon: 21 Things You Can Easily Do For Free To Get More Exposure and Sales (Book Marketing on a Shoestring Budget) Kindle

Twitter Used as an Educational Tool within the Context of Rapid eLearning

Soap Stone Carving an Example of Rapid eLearning

This gallery contains 2 photos.

    Soapstone Carving Rapid eLearning is about empowering the students to get organised around all aspects of their learning.  There is so much information available on the Internet and provided freely in public libraries.  Students can take advantage of the tools of … Continue reading →

Some of the Ceramic Pieces of the Cross

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Here are a few of the pieces that were assembled into the cross.

Judgment, Discernment, Comprehension – An Integrated Whole

Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, and comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness.” Stephen R. Covey

When we began the process of planning the Mary MacKillop Cross or as one of the Sisters pointed out “honoured Mary of the Cross” we embarked on a process of synergy. From the beginning we as a staff knew that if the project were to be successful it would be the culmination of input from all sections of the school as well as the Mary Immaculate Primary situated next to us. It began with a brainstorming session which left us with a plan for a white pine cross with holes black from being burnt with coals. They were to be filled with aluminum cast sculptures designed and created by each form class as a Week of Excellence activity. The plan was a simple one….to start with…….

Preliminary Planning Sketch

As you would expect, a process that takes a year to plan and complete will change greatly along the way.  The wood it self was changed twice before we settled for some old fence posts.   The aluminum smelting process seemed so arduous and costly that we decided to wait to embark on that venture until we make a small smelting process of our own.  By the time we finished, the only thing that remained as we planned it, was the rope used to figuratively “tie it all together!”

You may well ask that if that is the case, were we “happy with the end product?”  The answer is a definite yes.  It was the process of problem solving and developing creative working relationships that mattered.  The truth is that when great people cooperate – fantastic things happen. 

The student work was simple and elegant.  The cross created from such old and disused timbre had all the more character for its rugged history.  In the end the crowning of the thorns added just the right amount of symbolic reference to the suffering that would most assuredly have accompanied some of MaryMacKillop’s life journey.  Nica eventually changed her choice of music too!  It was beautiful and it set the scene for the words crafted by Mrs.Kay Gleeson and KaitlinNufer.

Ineffective people live day after day with unused potential. They experience synergy only in small, peripheral ways in their lives. But creative experiences can be produced regularly, consistently, almost daily in people’s lives. It requires enormous personal security and openness and a spirit of adventure.” Stephen R. Covey

Architecture that Provides a Fertile Environment Within Which Creativity can Flourish

Daniel Coyle of the The Talent Code  (2010) provides a compelling argument to show that creativity (ability) can be created and nurtured.   He demonstrated that the wiring of our brains is one of the most active elements of the learning process and traces how this influences which teaching methods are effective and those that only stumble along.   Coyle claims to be able to show how each individual can be supported to achieve the maximum advantage of their human potential.

Creativity Talks is a site where the concepts put forward by Coyle are unpacked and discussed with in the context of Artistic Practice Architectures.

Resource:

• Coyle,D (2010) The Talent Code  (Read by Telfer, J)  TrackList. BBC Audios. (Available Brisbane City Council Libraries)