Entrepreneur

At the WPO conference on May 6, 2017, the keynote speaker  was Jane McGonigal

The Engagement Economy.  She is from game and research development for  Institute of the Future.

1. When game designer Jane McGonigal found herself bedridden and suicidal following a severe concussion, she had a fascinating idea for how to get better. She dove into the scientific research and created the healing game, SuperBetter. In this moving talk, McGonigal explains how a game can boost resilience — and promises to add 7.5 minutes to your life

https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life

2. Games like World of Warcraft give players the means to save worlds, and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. What if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems? Jane McGonigal says we can, and explains how

https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world

Her talk this morning  was about gaming and its use in the workforce.  Although many employees use company resources to play games, gaming itself benefits all since there is a part of the brain that fires up and keeps it active and engaged. It develops super empowered, hopeful individuals.

She concludes that the opposite of work is not play, but depression.

 The challenge for employers is to take these people and make them empowered at work.

She said that Pokemon Go energized players and when applied to a business context teaches us that:

• There are, “On demand chances to succeed”
• That nothing is scarce (there is plenty to go around)Therefore, there is a built in collaboration radar.
• And the hope that there is always something around the corner (that is fun and exciting).

Here is a fun exercise for all you women Entrepreneurs!

 

We know we call :

A shrewdness of apes

A congregation of alligators

A cauldron of bats

A sloth or sleuth of bears

A gang or an obstinacy of buffalo

a clowder, clutter, pounce, dout, nuisance, glorying, or a glare of cats

An army of caterpillars

Larvae of Craesus septentrionalis, a sawfly showing 6 pairs of pro-legs

A caravan of camels

A coalition of cheetahs

A murder of crows

A cowardice of dogs

A pod of dolphins

A convocation of eagles

A parade of elephants

A business of ferrets

A tower of giraffes

A flamboyance of flamingos

A bloat, or a thunder of hippopotamuses

A smack of jellyfish

A troop or mob of kangaroos

A conspiracy of lemurs

A troop or barrel of monkeys

A romp, a family, or a raft of otters

A prickle of porcupines

An unkindness of ravens

A colony or warren of rabbits

A crash of rhinoceroses

A dray or scurry of squirrels

An ambush or streak of tigers

A rafter, gang, or posse of turkeys

A venue of vultures

A wisdom of wombats

A zeal of zebras

What should we call a group of women entrepreneurs?

Here are some more reflections from the WPO conference on May 4, 2017 from  keynote speaker, Shawn Achor

I was always told it is very hard to break a habit. Listen to “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor on the TED talk:

https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work

“Scientifically, happiness is a choice,” Achor says. He explains that research has shown you can rewire your brain to make yourself happy by practicing simple happiness exercises every day for three weeks.

He says you can rewire your brain to make yourself happy by practicing simple happiness exercises.

And within 30 days, those habits change the neuropath ways of our brains and turn us into lifelong optimists.

1. Gratitude Exercises. Write down three things you’re grateful for that occurred over the last 24 hours. They don’t have to be profound. It could be a really good cup of coffee or the warmth of a sunny day.
2. The Doubler. Take one positive experience from the past 24 hours and spend two minutes writing down every detail about that experience. As you remember it, your brain labels it as meaningful and deepens the imprint.
3. The Fun Fifteen. Do 15 minutes of a fun cardio activity, like gardening or walking the dog, every day. The effects of daily cardio can be as effective as taking an antidepressant.
4. Meditation. Every day take two minutes to stop whatever you’re doing and concentrate on breathing. Even a short mindful break can result in a calmer, happier you.
5. Conscious act of kindness. At the start of every day, send a short email or text praising someone you know. Our brains become addicted to feeling good by making others feel good.
6. Deepen Social Connections. Spend time with family and friends. Our social connections are one of the best predictors for success and health, and even life expectancy.