February is Black History Month and we truly have much to celebrate. To begin with the 44th President of the United States has achieved the Journey to Achievement of his Destiny. JAD Communications celebrates this accomplishment and is proud to introduce readers to another self-creator who achieved more than others thought possible over 22 years ago. The movie of his life titled "Gifted Hands" was on TNT last night (yes, I taped it) and will be on again. I have included a picture of Dr. Carson with Cuba Gooding, Jr. who plays him in the movie. Want to be inspired for Black History month, watch the move or buy his book "Gifted Hands."

Dr. Ben Carson - From "Dummy" to Brain Surgeon

The little boy lived in Detroit with his brother and his mother, who had married at thirteen but had since divorced. His name was Ben, but the other kids in his fifth grade class called him "The Dummy."

Deeply worried, their mother ordered Ben and his brother to write two book reports for her to read every week. Thus, they began regular visits to the Detroit Public Library. One day Ben's science teacher held up a shiny, black rock and asked the class if anyone knew what it was. No one responded. Ben raised his hand. He would remember the moment all his life. "Everyone turned around and looked, and they started poking at each other and laughing because they knew I was going to say something really stupid." But amid the titters, Ben stood, correctly identified the rock, and told the class how it had been formed. His fellow students were flabbergasted. And Ben liked what he felt. "It was at that moment," he'd recall later, "that I realized I wasn't stupid." He knew the answer because he had been reading books. So he asked himself, "Aren't I tired of being a dummy? What if I read books in all of my subjects?"

By the middle of the sixth grade, Ben had risen to the top of his class. He did well again in high school, then attended and graduated from both Yale University and the University of Michigan Medical School.

At age thirty three, he was named director of Pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. And it was he, Dr. Benjamin Carson, who in 1987 led the team that performed the world's first successful separation of Siamese twins joined at the back of the head. He also pioneered a number of other surgical procedures.

By the way, what young Ben did not know was that his mother - because of her limited third grade education - was not able to read those book reports that she had assigned to her two sons.

Today, Dr. Carson is Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in Baltimore. He is world-renowned for leading a medical team that separated West German conjoined twins in 1987, as well as leading a team of South African doctors in the first successful separation of vertically conjoined twins in 1997. He has refined techniques for a radical brain surgery that stops intractable seizures.

Dr. Carson holds numerous honors and awards, including more than 20 honorary doctorate degrees. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Kellogg Company, honored by the Horatio Alger Society, as well as a fellow of the Yale Corporation, the governing body of Yale University.

Dr. Carson is an author of three books: Gifted Hands, Think Big and The Big Picture. He travels globally to share his knowledge and philosophy with the hope of inspiring people of all ages and educational backgrounds to be - and do - their best!

Now, who among you wants to be like Ben Carson? He would be the first to say you can. You can live your dreams… if you do what Dr. Carson did: Value learning. Take advantage of personal development. Do the smart thing. I know you can. I hope you do too! You can begin today by following the principles in Self Creation: 10 Powerful Principles for Changing Your Life. Get your copy today.

The Confidence Course; Anderson, Walter
NOTE: The movie "Gifted Hands" will be on again on Feb. 14th and Feb. 21st on TNT. Watch it with your loved one then send your feedback to me at Yvonne@yvonnefbrown.com

Assertive Interpersonal Strategies for Women

March 18th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Nobody’s perfect. Sometimes you will underreact or overreact. Assertive people sends correct signals and receive correct responses. Knowing how to handle different situations helps you get things done and get what you want. This seminar will help you express your ideas and get your point across confidently and effectively to achieve the results you want.

“Who should attend: Women managers and supervisors – including newly promoted first-line supervisors – who want to build on the strengths, improve their communication, conflict resolution, delegation and action planning.”

Register by fax or online

Register Imediately

Register by email to yvonne@yvonnefbrown.com

Here's what people say about our seminars

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I've been with my company for five years and always received good reviews. My new manager just gave me a low rating and I don't understand how that happened. I am doing everything the same as before and expected a good review. Please tell me what to do to change this.

Answer:

This is a common mistake that happens when a person's boss changes. Doing everything the same as before can cause a disconnect with your new boss if their style is different from your previous boss. In the Harvard Business Review book "Managing Your Boss" they teach that one of the first things to do when you get a new boss is to meet with them to determine how they like to be informed. Some managers like to be informed verbally, others prefer information in writing prior to meeting so that they can prepare in advance. Empirical data says that there are four types of communicators: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and Auditory Digital. Find out which type your new boss is, determine how they prefer to be informed, and interact with them to match their preference. Change your style to suit their style. It's easy enough to find out, just ask them how they like to be informed then modify your style accordingly.

Dressbarn event helps women entering work force

According to the New Mexico weekly Dressbarn stores across the country will work with Dress for Success to collect clothing for women seeking career development support.

The event, Send One Suit, will take place Feb. 19 - 22.
Click here to find out more.

Dress For Success is a nonprofit that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a support network and career development tools. It has chapters in 90 cities in the U.S., including Chicago, Joliet and Peoria.

Dressbarn stores have collected and donated more than 200,000 suits and separates to Dress for Success over the past seven years.

Women are encouraged to donate one new or nearly-new interview suit, or other professional apparel, during the event at a Dressbarn store to help another woman enter the work force. Dressbarn will provide 15 percent off every customer’s total purchase for the donation.

You can be a dynamic leader by developing the traits of self-confidence, mental-toughness, conceptual thinking, and ambition to achieve.

"If you’re still looking for a job, maybe now is the time to start your own business. The Forum section has some Free Online Training on How To Start Your Own Business."

"Free online training"

Remember to register for the Women on Boards Event, Monday, March 9th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago. Educate and prepare yourself to serve on boards of directors.

Women on Boards

Click here to find out more

12 Secrets to High Self Esteem.