Posts tagged ‘brain’

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December 29, 2011

Fail-Safe Ways to Make and Keep Promises and Resolutions

Are you amongst the countless millions of people who want to make positive changes in their lives, state their intentions to family and friends, and then experience falling short of your desired outcomes? Besides being downright embarrassing, it’s demoralizing when you make sincere promises and resolutions and have little, if anything, to show for your good intentions and attempts to change.

Do you want to make and keep promises and resolutions nearly 100% of the time? What I am about to reveal is practical neuroscience-based. It requires less personal will power and time than traditional methods. Besides, there is no guilt involved with this safe and sure-fire method.

Understanding the practical neuroscience behind making and keeping promises and resolutions is your key to success. It’s simply not enough to state an intention, perhaps write it down on an index card and believe that the change will miraculously occur. This is why most people fail.

What are promises and resolutions?

Healthy and positive promises and resolutions involve changing something in your life because you see potential value. The change may reduce suffering and pain or give you something that that makes life less stressful. Healthy and positive promises and resolutions do no harm to you or others, only good occurs.

Examples of promises and resolutions include:

  • being more honest and authentic
  • achieving  financial peace of mind
  • eradicating fear and anxiety from your life
  • building strong and caring relationships
  • educating yourself
  • experiencing better health
  • paying off the mortgage
  • losing 30 pounds

Your current thinking and behaviors are the result of years of self and societal programming. What you have heard, seen and directly experienced is recorded in your memory banks; repetition and the level of emotional energy determines the power of the memory imprint.  Your memories are what drives your thinking and how you react and respond to life. Not all of your programming has served you well; if it did, there would be little to change.

The bottom-line is recognizing that “change” does not usually come easily or quickly. This is because you have to overcome established memory imprints and patterns by building new, more powerful ones that supersede and transcend the ones that have not served you well.

How to make and keep promises and resolutions

Take your time to think deeply about these questions. It’s important to write down your responses and perhaps have a candid discussion with someone you trust, who cares about your well being. These powerful, transformative practical neuroscience methods build new neural pathways for a better and less stressful life.

  • What do you want to achieve? State a specific outcome, like “I weigh 30 pounds less, feel energized and run a mile in 7 minutes; I hear people ask how I do it.” Avoid stating what you don’t desire, such as “I don’t want to be fat anymore and hear people say I should lose my belly fat and exercise,” because your brain will focus on being fat and hearing the negative comments. Put your desired outcomes into “present moment language” as if you have already achieved what you want. This simple act will cause your brain to think differently and escape from negative programming. Write down your desired outcomes, look at them and say them aloud daily, with feeling and conviction.  It’s essential that you select what you want to change with great care; look at making change as a “triage” situation. Pick the one that has the greatest long-term value and increases your quality of life. Achieve one at a time before moving on to the next one.

 

  • What are the specific behaviors that support what I want to achieve? If you have problems thinking this through, start with the negative behaviors that created what you want to change. Reverse each negative behavior into one that is positive and proactive. An example is “Eating too much rich and unhealthy food” to “Eating five small meals consisting of a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat.” Be highly specific in describing the behaviors that represent your “new self.” Develop and write down between three and five new behaviors. Construct a “mind map;” cut out photos from magazines or download images from the internet that visually depict your new actions, activities and manners. This practical neuroscience step is your navigation system for your “new and improved you.”

 

  • What will life be like, when experiencing my new behaviors? Imagine yourself having achieved the desired changes and outcomes in your life. What does it look, feel and sound like? Are you more fulfilled and sense greater control of your life? Will you be an inspiration to others? Can you see yourself helping others improve their quality of life? Again, create a mind map and/or put together a storyboard showing what your new life looks like. You may want to combine this with the preceding visual images. These steps keep your brain motivated and focused on what you want to achieve, how to go about it with your new behaviors and what your new life will be like.

In conclusion, most people fail in keeping their promises and resolutions because they do not understand the practical neuroscience process to reprogram their brains for new behaviors. You can trust your brain to achieve new outcomes after you describe what you want in specific positive terms and envision life with your new behaviors and activities. Linking your desired outcomes with deep positive feelings keeps you focused and motivated.  Daily viewing of compelling and attractive visual images accelerates building new brain pathways to a better life. Making one resolution or promise at a time maximizes success in a shorter period of time.

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December 23, 2011

Peace On Earth and Good Will Are Very Good Things

Peace dove blue sky

Image via Wikipedia

“Peace on earth, good will toward humankind” is a high road, universal message to spread throughout the year. The message is relevant to all places and situations, regardless of one’s religious and spiritual beliefs. If you are reading this article, you undoubtedly care about others as well as yourself, the marker for “good will.”

We have been writing articles on practical neuroscience, developing brain-based human development products and doing workshops and talks since 1992. We deeply and strongly believe that practical neuroscience embraces “peace on earth and good will.” Here are some central ideas around this premise.

  • We are all unique beings with different brain wiring that affects our gifts, interests, careers, emotional trigger points, relationships and the way we navigate life.
  • Our brains are the most miraculous mass of protoplasm in the known universe. The brain is capable of self-analysis, growing more powerful, accessing genius thinking and solving problems.  Collective brains that share high values and goals are the most powerful transformative energy to move quality-of-life to higher plateaus.
  • We all do things for our own reasons, not the reasons of others. Judging others is a form of attack that erodes good will and cooperation.
  • Respecting and supporting the uniqueness and interests of other people creates good will and a more peaceful world; this is a marvelous and delightful act of kindness. Everyone wins.
  • The really good news is that we are all capable of being better, kinder, healthier, happier and more successful human beings through leveraging the power of our brains.
  • The world will be a much better place to live and prosper, when we focus on improving our own quality-of-life, without hindering others as they strive to do the same.
  • Helping others improve their quality-of-life is a very high form of “service beyond self,” a Rotary International saying.
  • Healing words like, “Thank you, Please, I appreciate and value this about you, Great job and I love you,” touch people’s hearts and minds, heal hurtful wounds and build stronger and healthier interdependent relationships.

Peace on earth begins with each individual. We must recognize that we are all doing the very best we can with the state-of-mind we are in and our available resources.  Always accept where you are with gentleness and forgiveness; recognize that your wonderful brain is your personal “Hoover Dam” to power the transformation of your life to levels beyond your wildest dreams. Helping others do the same will accelerate your personal process and is a practical, giant step to building “good will toward humankind.” Practical neuroscience works for anyone and everyone equally well.

Blessings and appreciation to you,

Stephen, Deanna,
Char, Monty and Chuck

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November 22, 2011

Are Your Mental Models on the High or Low Road?

Road Closed

Peter Senge in his The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization (1990) describes mental models as “deeply ingrained assumptions, generalizations, or even pictures of images that influence how we understand the world and how we take action.” Mental models have profound impact on how we view, react to and respond to the world; they shape our decisions, relationships and quality-of-life. They affect us on all levels –personal, social, professional, organizational, national and global.

My purpose is to raise your level of awareness of what mental models are and how they operate.  Practical neuroscience principles and tools help you challenge, change and manage your mental models for a better, more peaceful and less stressful life.

Personal Observations of Mental Models

  • Mental models are stored information and emotional imprints of how your brain perceived  and remembered direct personal experiences, as well as information learned from a third party or indirect source like the media.
  • Mental models that yield harmful outcomes to you and/or others are good candidates for examination and changed thinking.
  • Formed over time from accumulated information, mental models may also be developed quickly and deeply depending on their importance and emotional impact.
  • Most people are unaware of their mental models, where they came from and their effects.
  • Mental models are subtle and challenging to identify and describe.
  • They seem to operate in a “back room” or subconscious part of our brain.
  • Our mental models tend to get stronger over time as human nature wants to “be right” about its opinions.
  • Mental models may or may not be verifiable through direct experience or independent observations from integrous people.

I believe the core question is “how well do my mental models serve me and others,” rather than “are my mental models right or wrong?” There is no right way of taking in and processing sensory information because everyone perceives and interprets information differently. A group of people agreeing on something doesn’t make it true; the process merely bonds the group around something they hold to be true. Needless arguments, and even wars, ensue due to differences of opinion about mental models.

Evaluating Mental Models

These everyday life situations give you a grasp of what mental models look like; each pair contains differences of mindset for illustrative purposes. As you look them over, ask yourself which ones might serve you and others best, rather than deciding on what may be correct or in error. The purpose of this exercise is to shift your focus to a “high road” or positive perspective for evaluating mental models. Hopefully, these examples will stimulate your thinking to write down your mental models that serve you well or poorly.

Low Road: Good ideas for innovation are drying up and there is limited opportunity for me to prosper.

High Road: Good ideas for new products, technology and services are endless and infinite.

 

Low Road: We live in a competitive world of scarcity.

High Road: We live in a world of boundless opportunity where situational cooperation is possible.

 

Low Road: Girls do poorly in math and science.

High Road: Anyone can learn what interests him or her, when in a supportive environment.

 

Low Road: You can’t trust people who look , act and speak a certain way.

High Road: There are trustworthy and untrustworthy people in all walks of life.

 

Low Road: In this economy, no one will interview me, much less, hire me.

High Road: I have transferable skills and positive traits that some employer is looking for.

 

Low Road:  I can’t trust myself behind the wheel due to my driving record and what my spouse says.

High Road: A refresher course will make me a safer, more dependable and better defensive driver.

 

Low Road: I can’t learn new things because I made poor grades and my teacher said I was stupid.

High Road: My brain has infinite capacity to grow, get stronger, learn quickly and make great decisions.

 

Low Road: It’s unlikely I’ll live beyond 73 because of my family health history.

High Road: Good health practices and a positive mental attitude will increase my quality-of-life and perhaps add years to my life span.

In conclusion, mental models are what we believe and hold to be true about life. They are our “software programming” that drives thinking, opinions and behaviors. There is always an outcome from every mental model, although they may not be obvious. People vehemently agree or disagree on the truth of their mental models. The defining moment for challenging a mental model occurs when the focus shifts to the desired outcome. Clarity can best be achieved by examining gaps between what is desired and the outcome that actually occurs. This is the only way I know to break the endless cycle of defending and attacking mental models.

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November 16, 2011

Three Reasons Why People Talk More and Listen Less

Listen, Understand, Act

Image by highersights via Flickr

Have you noticed that many people can’t remember what was said, interrupt others regularly, rarely ask genuine questions and generally have poor listening skills? Has attentive and respectful listening gone out of style since the advent of TV, computer technology, cell phones, texting and video games? I wonder if people were more “auditory,” from a listening standpoint, when distractions were fewer, people engaged in more mealtime conversations and radio was a bigger source of news and entertainment.

Our worldwide statistics show that 78% of the population least prefers to listen as a primary way to receive sensory information; these people prefer to take in information visually and kinesthetically. Why do people who least prefer to listen select talking as their preferred way to express themselves? Practical neuroscience and common sense reveal possible reasons and provide pathways to improve listening competencies.

Reasons Why People Talk More and Listen Less

  • Lack of awareness: I believe most people are unaware of how their poor listening skills negatively impact rapport, harmony and understanding others. Interrupting, “tuning out” others and raising one’s voice to get attention serve no useful purpose; hurt feelings often occur and important information is lost. As a practical matter, meager listening takes a steep toll on valuable time that could be used for other things. At worst, important relationships can be put in jeopardy and may crash. These factors are why people benefit from being informed of how their brains are wired to receive and process information. Practical neuroscience reveals our sensory and cognitive processing strengths, thus providing a simple recipe to communicate with others in optimal ways.
  • Busy Schedules: During an executive coaching session, I asked a person about his listening competency. His reply was, “it’s poor and I don’t care because I don’t have time to listen.” He went on to say, “I prefer to receive information by email, text and brief discussions when walking with a colleague to a meeting or during mealtime.” I asked him what impact his tactics would have on his morale and productivity if he walked in the shoes of his direct reports and peers.  He then asked how he could be a better listener; the Hot Tips (below) summarize what I suggested. Within a week of using these new “high road” listening tactics, this busy executive received positive feedback from three people saying they enjoyed working with him and it seemed like he was different person.
  • Maintaining Control: As long as you are talking, you don’t have to listen, answer questions or respond to other people. A higher form of talking is using language understandable to others, stating the purpose of the communication and asking questions to confirm their understanding. Listening requires attention, focus, personal involvement and feedback. Attentive and respectful listening sends a strong message that you care about the other person; talking, alone, may introduce an element of doubt about your intention and integrity.

Hot Tips for Being a Better Listener

  • Ask for the purpose and desired outcomes of the conversation.
  • Respectfully, set a time period for the discussion, if time is an issue.
  • Do not interrupt and impose your opinion.
  • Ask questions to gain clarity and understanding.
  • Listen for congruency of tone-of-voice and body language with what’s being said.
  • Paraphrase what you hear.

In conclusion, improved listening skills pay big dividends of relationship rapport, mutual respect, understanding others and making effective use of available time. Based on statistics, most people should talk less and communicate more visually and kinesthetically. Practical neuroscience methods are the ideal solution for “transmitting” information on the preferred “receiving wavelengths” of others.

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November 8, 2011

Practical Neuroscience Approach to Personal Mastery

Premioneurona

Several visionaries cite “learning” as a key ingredient to personal and organizational success:

Peter Senge identifies “personal mastery” as the second discipline of a learning organization in his book, The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization (1990). Senge describes personal mastery as a commitment of employees and leaders to the process of learning.

John Naisbitt says, “In a world that is constantly changing, there is no one subject or set of subjects that will serve you for the foreseeable future, let alone for the rest of your life. The most important skill to acquire now is learning how to learn.”

Peter Drucker states, “We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”

Steven Covey declares that the mental component of “Sharpening Your Saw” (the 7th habit of The 7-Habits of Highly Effective People) is “learning, reading, writing and teaching.”

Many people agree on the underlying value of personal mastery through lifelong learning. However, few know the practical neuroscience principles and practices behind learning with ease, thinking imaginatively and logically, solving problems quickly, working happily, communicating effectively and making decisions accurately. Most people appear highly interested in learning more about how their brains are wired for success and what makes them tick. There seems to be a strong undercurrent of awareness that understanding and leveraging individual and collective brainpower may be one of the last frontiers for human development.

Practical Neuroscience 101 for Gaining Personal Mastery

The following is a summary compilation of practical neuroscience principles and practices that will help you understand and leverage your brain strengths for personal mastery.

  • Practical Neuroscience: An overarching term comprised of neuroscience-based principles and practices focused on understanding “self” and the people you influence and lead. Practical neuroscience acknowledges and respects diverse brain strengths, varied knowledge, personal interests and emotional trigger points; it enables people to be the best they can be, individually and collectively.
  • Neuroplasticity: Your brain is the most amazing mass of protoplasm in the known universe. It contains about 100 billion neuron cells, each having the potential to make multiple connections with other cells. Your brain is dynamic, not static. Neuroscience research reveals that you have “brain plasticity” or the ability to continuously grow and adapt your brain as you learn and use new information, despite your age. The more you learn, think and use knowledge, the more you grow and increase your intelligence and resourcefulness. What set Einstein’s genius apart, was not what he started with, but how he developed his thinking through vast neuron pathways. The bottom-line is that we can rewire our own brains for new and better outcomes and help other people do the same.
  • Learning Is Voluntary: Your brain must establish value and positive emotions to engage with learning, thinking, listening, working and any form of mental or physical activity. Fear works poorly as a motivator and is not healthy or sustainable.
  • Unique Sensory and Cognitive Strengths: Everyone has their preferred order for taking in sensory information; there are six combinations of Visual, Kinesthetic and Auditory sequences. Besides, people have cognitive preferences for processing sensory information, receiving communications and for specific types of work activities; there are three major categories: Sequential, Global and Integrated.
  • Alignment Is Your Key to Success:  No one combination of sensory and cognitive preferences is better than another. The key to success is aligning your brain strengths with activities and tasks you are passionate about and require your strengths. Communication challenges are often due to misalignment with how people prefer to receive and process information. You can “flex” and align with people who are different from you to gain rapport, respect, trust and understanding.
  • Integrate Fun Into Everything You Do: Your brain is naturally curious and loves to learn. A fun and safe environment naturally engages your brain. Create fun and safe environments for others; teach others what you want to learn. These are some characteristics of a neuro-leader.

In conclusion, practical neuroscience is the pathway to greater self-awareness of your potential for personal mastery. Online, validated assessments accurately determine your sensory and cognitive strengths and offer tools to help improve your learning, thinking, problem solving, decision making, communication success, career fulfillment, and help you experience more fun in life.

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November 2, 2011

Five Common Pitfalls Entrepreneurs Should Avoid

Pitfall! (my version)

Image by docpop via Flickr

Avoiding or correcting any one of five pitfalls for entrepreneurs may be the tipping point to achieving your goals and improving the quality of your life. I have personally experienced and observed all these behaviors since becoming an entrepreneur in 1979. Most of these pitfalls have relatively quick and simple escape routes using practical neuroscience and common sense. The pitfalls are listed in no particular order of priority; all are important to avoid for a happy and fulfilling life.

  1. Lack of Focus

Some entrepreneur’s brains are like a nuclear fission reactor that self-fuels and regenerates itself with a continuous stream of new and better ideas. This creates a scenario where the entrepreneur may be doing excessive multi-tasking without getting meaningful work accomplished. Sometimes, when projects get close to completion, an entrepreneur loses interest and wants to move on to something new and different, leaving the project without a sustainable infrastructure. “Focus” is the operative word. If you relate to this pitfall, consider bringing in trusted advisors who share your vision and have strong Sequential thinking skills to help organize, prioritize and develop a logical and orderly work plan around your ideas and concepts.

  1. Low Self-Awareness of Strengths and Limitations

Many entrepreneurs’ passion for their dream causes them to jump into a new endeavor without taking the time to see how well equipped they are for the journey. All too often, the well-intentioned, good-hearted entrepreneur learns through trial and error that they should have taken an inventory of their strengths and limitations. Very few entrepreneurs consider the alignment of how their brains are wired – to learn, think, create, solve problems, make decisions and communicate – with their chosen life path. Reliable, statistically validated online instruments provide this important but overlooked knowledge.

  1. Trying to Do It All

Most entrepreneurs feel they can and should do almost everything themselves; the result is some things taking longer to do, others less than well done, and little time left for personal relationships and taking care of themselves. The solution is to have trusted advisors, with knowledge and strengths different from theirs, who can advise them on where to apply their strengths and when to assign work to people better suited to the tasks.  Strive for a diverse team of trusted advisors with skills and experience in the areas of finance, human resources, sales, public relations, technology, research and development, marketing, business planning and hands-on tactical implementation. Covering all the applicable bases with competent and committed people is a sure and safe way to maximize the probability of success.

  1. Compromising Health and Relationships

Health and relationships are listed together because they seem to walk hand-in-hand. Working long hours takes its toll on your physical, mental and emotional health. When you experience stress and your health is at risk, it’s likely that your rapport and communication with people you love and care about are also suffering. Correction of any of the three previous pitfalls will help alleviate stress and free up more time for restful sleep, proper diet, exercise and fun. Make personal health and relationships a component of your total picture of success.

  1. Believing Happiness is an Upcoming Event

Happiness comes from within and occurs in the present moment. Event-driven happiness is distressingly temporary and short-lived. Work happily and passionately in everything you do, each and every day. Waiting and expecting to achieve sustainable happiness and fulfillment from a future event robs you of the joy of the journey.

In summary, being aware of these five pitfalls will help you live that life you dreamt of when you first catapulted into the wild and crazy world of entrepreneurship. I hope you use these insights and ideas for a better life and better relationships. Please share your knowledge and best practices with fellow entrepreneurs. How many entrepreneurs does it take to build a better world?

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October 26, 2011

Hot Tips From an Old Hand for New and Struggling Entrepreneurs

Advice

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Have you plunged into the unpredictable, dizzying and wonderful world of entrepreneurship? Are you experiencing challenges, feeling alone and wondering if you are certifiably crazy for taking that big step? Even long-term entrepreneurs go through this cycle of self-inquiry and self-doubt. There are no established rules and proven processes for being a successful entrepreneur; if there were, it wouldn’t be an entrepreneurial pursuit.

I have been a passionate and proactive entrepreneur since 1979. I hope my experiences and lessons learned will keep you on your path and help you have more fun, get more accomplished, have more free time and experience more inner joy from living the life of your dreams.

Hot Tips for Entrepreneurs

  • Success is Never Final

The pathway of entrepreneurship is never ending. Learn to be happy with the process of walking the path rather than fixating on specific end-points as your sources of enjoyment. Happiness and joy are an “inside game” and can only be experienced in the present moment. New opportunities and ideas will always pop up from your imagination and from your interactions with people. Continuous learning and improvement is a practical neuroscience consequence of how entrepreneur’s brains are wired.

  • Identify Your Strengths and Limitations

A comprehensive inventory of your strengths and limitations is a best practice for successful entrepreneurs.  Consider enlisting a trusted advisor who will give you candid and honest feedback. Qualities to identify should include your values, core competencies, skills, knowledge, passion, and “hot buttons” (e.g. subjects and situations that bring the best and worst out of you). Determine how your brain is wired to learn and think. Statistically validated instruments are available online to provide reliable information.

  • Trusted Advisors Leapfrog You Forward

Trusted advisors share your values and vision. They are rarely as passionate as you are, so be grateful for their support and commitment. Establish the rewards (intrinsic and/or extrinsic)they receive from joining your team. Trusted advisors help you prioritize the most important ways to use your strengths; they help you get other essentials accomplished through their services and recommendations. Trusted advisors provide quality control and reality checks on a continuous basis. Your trusted advisors should have brain strengths, knowledge and skill sets different from yours.

Entrepreneurs often get so passionate about their dreams, they neglect getting rest, eating properly,  exercising and taking care of their overall well being. What’s the sense of creating a new enterprise if you get into the stress-distress-disease cycle? Having a spouse, friend or trusted advisor in the health field will help keep your mind-body-spirit in balance.

  • Make Relationships High Priority

Remind yourself of the importance of relationships with people you love and care about. Your focus and enthusiasm for your entrepreneurial dream can blind you to the misunderstandings and hurt caused by ignoring people you care about. An effective strategy is to include maintaining rich and deep relationships with your spouse, family and friends in your overall picture of success.

  • Be Honest With Yourself

From time to time, stop and reexamine your dream, passion (“fire in the belly”), goals and how you use your time. If your heart and mind are in alignment, you can trust what you’re doing. If in doubt, use your trusted advisors as a sounding board.

  • The Universe Works in Your Favor

I believe in the power of the human brain and the human heart; when connected with one another, only good things occur. The shared values and vision of your trusted advisor team, coupled with diverse knowledge and brainpower, forms the vital connections for creating new, valuable and sustainable enterprises. Your values, vision and work will attract millions of people who become your future customers.

In conclusion, the entrepreneurial spirit is essential to keep the world moving in a positive direction. Working in the realm of what’s possible through imagination and hard work is a challenging and rewarding endeavor. Believe in yourself, your trusted advisors and the good that comes when connecting brain and heart power for a common cause.

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October 12, 2011

X-Ray Vision? No, but Try These Tips to Strengthen Your Real Visual Pathway Powers

X-Ray Vision

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What would it be like if you could tap into and leverage your visual powers to improve performance in any area of your life, see what other people may miss and create innovative solutions to life challenges? This is not science fiction; it’s practical neuroscience that can be accomplished by anyone with an open and willing mind.

Your visual cortex is the largest, and perhaps the most underutilized, system in your brain. It’s responsible for processing and giving meaning to visual information. The primary visual cortex is located in the back of your brain in two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex. The left hemisphere visual cortex receives signals from your right eye and the right visual cortex from your left eye. Thinking visually, with your eyes closed, activates a kaleidoscope of imagery, color, symbols, pattern recognition and pictures to help you remember what was seen and to access your inner world of imagination. This basic practical neuroscience information frames the experiential exercises and ideas presented below.

“Eyes Open” Strategies

These ideas strengthen your visual acuity and give you enhanced perspective to catch information you may have been missing.

Strengthening Your Visual Powers:

  • Select something visually interesting – a photograph, magazine, ad or written material. Look at it intently for 30 seconds and lay it aside. Say aloud or write down everything you remember – message, color, images and details. Look at the material again and see how accurate you were. Repeat the process many times. After you experience improvement, ask some of your friends to engage in the exercise and discover if more improvement is possible.
    • Select a page of written text or something you find interesting. Rotate the page so that you are looking at it upside down. Focus on the images and words. Say aloud what you see. See how proficient you can be reading and looking at things upside down.

Balancing Your Hemispheres and Curing “Lazy Eye”

  • Point your right or left thumb upwards and make a large sweeping “figure 8” pattern. Follow the pattern with your eyes for about 7 to 11 rotations, then change rotation direction. This method will help balance your hemispheres and alleviate “lazy eye” that comes from staring or fixating on a visual pattern. It helps people read quicker and with greater ease.
  • Play or observe live rapid eye-hand coordination sports like table tennis, volley ball and badminton.

Improving Reading Focus and Retention

  • Try placing different colors of transparency films over what you are reading. Red may perk up your energy level; blue may calm you down. Experiment and discover the effects on focus, concentration and memory. This may be the break-through you are looking for if you have a child struggling with reading.

“Eyes Closed” Strategies

Accessing Your Hemisphere of Choice

Retina eye positions connect to different portions of your brain through the optic nerve. You can access and focus on your visual, auditory and kinesthetic pathways by controlling where you are looking, even when your eyes are closed. When you look upward, you are connecting with your visual cortex. The lateral, side-to-side direction connects with your ability to remember and recall or create something new and different. The methods below may need to be reversed for some left handed people or the small percentage of right handed people with reverse wiring.

  • Keeping your eyes closed, move them upwards and to the left as you are thinking about something you want to remember. (e.g. “What did I wear yesterday?” “What’s the answer to this test question?”) Ask yourself silently or aloud what it is that you want to remember and see on your internal screen.
  • Move your eyes upwards to the right as you create something new or when searching for a new perspective. (e.g. “Where do I see myself on my 2-week vacation?” “What does my ideal job look like?”) Ask yourself, silently or aloud, what you want to see as possibilities and options on your internal screen.

Attaining Performance Excellence

The brain does not know the difference between actually doing something in the physical world and practicing it     in your “mind’s eye.” This is a well known method used by world class athletes to practice their techniques and  sharpen their performance.

  • The first step is to observe and study role models of performance excellence. This can be in any field of endeavor that interests you, including sports, public speaking, teaching, parenting, leadership and hands-on professions like medicine.
  • The next step involves getting relaxed, comfortable and closing your eyes. Imagine doing what your role model does when performing. Imagine observing a movie screen with you acting out a performance in which you excel. Incorporate your role model’s state-of-mind, resoluteness, values and intention, as you know them. Practice sessions should last as long as you are comfortable and not straining. Be patient, as early sessions may only last a couple of minutes before you get tired.  Repetition builds and strengthens the neuro-patterns for the new behaviors. Strive for 30-40 sessions, or more, lasting 5-7 minutes each.
  • You will be amazed and delighted to see your outer-world performance improve as you implement this technique and practice in your inner-world. This can be a continuous, lifelong process to get you primed and prepared before public speaking, playing your favorite sport or performing your daily work.

In conclusion, your brain is truly the most miraculous mass of protoplasm in the known universe. Your visual cortex is the largest operating system in your brain and has potential to enhance your life experiences beyond your wildest dreams. You can utilize its powers with your eyes open or closed. The eyes-closed potential may be the most exciting because you are exploring the infinite realms of possibility instead of your immediate field of vision in the outer world.

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October 5, 2011

Why Kinesthetic and Global Kids Fall Between the Cracks

Kinesthetic Learning

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Do you know that the students most likely to struggle in traditional classroom settings are Kinesthetic, hands-on learners with Global, big-picture cognitive strengths? This is because their brain wiring is misaligned with how many subjects are taught. This frustrating learning challenge may begin in middle school and continue through high school, college and into adulthood. Without self-awareness of what’s going on, the individual is likely to develop a strong disdain for learning and experience low self-esteem that can carry over into their adult life.

I have personal experience with the “brain wiring” preference combination of Kinesthetic learning and Global thinking. I can claim 100% success for learning anything that interests me through practical neuroscience strategies that support how my brain is wired and what makes me tick.  I hope this knowledge helps millions of students and adults whose brains are wired similarly to mine. Anyone can take control of their learning success by knowing how to leverage their brain pathway strengths.

Kinesthetic Learner and Global Thinker Challenges

My sensory learning preferences are Kinesthetic followed by Visual and then Auditory. I need to have movement, touch and hands-on experiences to stay engaged and remember. Having to learn solely through listening and lecture, with a minimum of visual materials and an inability to move about, is my worst possible scenario. Highly Kinesthetic learners do well in lab courses, shop, drafting, graphics, field trips, and other hands-on, experiential learning environments. Having to sit still in one place, listen to a lecture and run the risk of getting reprimanded for fidgeting or moving about is a situation most Kinesthetic learners prefer to avoid.

The other half of the learning equation is how one prefers to process and think about stored and incoming sensory information. My cognitive strength is Global rather than Sequential. I like “big picture” subjects dealing with context, overarching concepts, possibilities and options. Subjects that stimulate my imagination and permit jumping about in non-logical steps are the ones that keep me interested and engaged. Unfortunately most subjects tend to be taught in a Sequential (e.g. logical, orderly, detail-oriented), step-by-step manner. This is a torturous scenario for a person with strong Global thinking strengths. This is because their Global brains are moving at a rapid-fire rate and get bored with staying on one aspect of a bigger concept longer than a couple of minutes. Global thinkers are equipped to understand the foundational principles of most traditionally Sequential subjects like mathematics, programming theory, thermodynamics, metallurgy, physics, electrochemistry and human anatomy; the problem lies with their attention span and the focus required to complete detailed assignments and pass tests requiring accuracy.

Hot Tips for Kinesthetic and Global Brains

Learning is a voluntary brain process. First, establish the strongest positive outcomes, value and benefits you will receive from learning your chosen subject. This hot tip applies to everyone, regardless of their brain pathway strengths.

  • Kinesthetic Strategies: Implementing movement and touch with your learning experience helps you stay engaged and remember. Closing your eyes occasionally helps you listen deeply during a lecture. Take notes and/or doodle while listening. When reviewing material, ask yourself, “what feels and looks important here?” Flash cards are a great aid for Kinesthetic learners.
  • Global Strategies: When detail and accuracy are required, do your studying in a formal environment with a moderately cool temperature to stay engaged and focused. Use snacks and refreshments as a reward during breaks and for completing chunks of work within 20-30 minute periods of time.

You can quickly, accurately and reliably determine how your brain is wired to learn, think, perform, solve problems, and make decisions with statistically validated preference instruments. Online results generate customized and comprehensive accelerated learning strategies for all brain pathway combinations.

In conclusion, your past learning challenges may have been due to your brain wiring being misaligned with the subject and how it was taught. Practical neuroscience is the unrecognized solution to quick, easy and fun learning.

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September 21, 2011

Checklist for Discovering Your Perfect Job

Yes check

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Are you unhappy, despondent or fearful about your career situation? Perhaps you are employed and dislike going to work because of a deteriorating relationship or maybe your work is no longer fun and rewarding. You may be asking yourself: “What went wrong?” “Is something wrong with me?” “What are the lessons learned?” “How can I get out of this mess and move my life forward?”

The major reasons why most people are unhappy in their career situation are:

  1. Relationship conflict with one or more people at work
  2. Feeling unfulfilled and totally out-of-sync with the work
  3. Stressful work environment and intolerable management philosophy
  4. Unemployed or fearful their job is at risk

The common themes for the first three reasons involve “misalignment” with people, work activities and the work environment. If you can relate to one or more of these alignment issues, there are practical neuroscience solutions for you to put to work almost immediately. The reason for termination or being at risk for it may be misalignment as well.

Checklist for Discovering Your Perfect Job

Once you complete the following homework, you can align how your brain is wired and what makes you tick with the career, job, people and work environment that will naturally support your passions, strengths and values. You are only 48 hours away from getting your internal GPS calibrated for career and life success.

√   Where does your passion lie? This is a “free association” exercise to identify the subjects that interest you and what you really enjoy doing. A trusted friend who knows you well and has a spontaneous and fun loving nature may be the catalyst to get you through this exercise quickly. Ask your friend to guide the discussion and take notes. Place two categories on the top of your flip chart or white board: SUBJECTS and ACTIVITIES. Use colored markers and work toward identifying single key words to describe your passions in each column. Go as fast as you can and feel free to jump around. When you reach the point where new ideas come slowly, usually within 10-20 minutes, STOP. Take a short break and come back to look for trends and themes. Summarize and record your work for additional homework and future reference.

Follow-up homework:

Subjects you are passionate about represent potential career categories. List the careers that align with your passions. Think about and record potential organizations that may be your future employer. Being self-employed or a “contract employee” may emerge as an option along with traditional employment. Then, identify the associated knowledge and experience you possess in the potential career fields.

Activities you enjoy doing are your skill sets and competencies. They will align with specific job descriptions. Now take each activity and decide which sensory (Visual, Kinesthetic and Auditory) and cognitive (Sequential and Global) “signatures” they contain. These are your neuroscience brain strengths that accompany knowledge and passion. They describe how you like to learn, think, work, communicate, solve problems and make decisions. Brainpower is the strength category most neglected by employees and employers alike. Use your brainpower strengths as a competitive differentiator. Most importantly, using your brain strengths on a daily basis is the key to fun, engagement and productivity. This may be why you have been unhappy in past jobs.

√  What are your highest and most important values? This is a second-round free association exercise with your friend who helped you previously. Do it as soon as possible to keep the momentum going. Use the same protocol as the first exercise except the two categories at the top of your flip chart or white board are VALUES and ENVIRONMENT. Make this a lively, fun and interactive conversation. Start naming key words of important values that come to mind, like “friendship,” “collaboration,” “service”, “learning,” “excitement, “money,” “competition.” There are no rules or right or wrong answers. You can go back and forth naming “values” and “environment” in any order you want. Examples of ENVIRONMENT key words are “friendly,” “structured,” “casual,” “competitive,” ‘non-competitive,” “kind,” “communicative,” “caring,” “demanding” and so forth. As a quality control check, match up your list of key words for VALUES with key words for ENVIRONMENT. There should be one or more congruent “environments” for each “value.” This exercise is an “insurance policy” to select the right organizational environment in which you can thrive and grow.

Follow-up homework:

Organize your list of “values” and “environments” as a guide to assess future employment opportunities. Review your list occasionally to see if your values have changed and if your job environment is holding up to your expectations.

Do research to determine if the companies you are considering embrace your values and have consistent supporting environments. You will ultimately experience problems if your values are substantially higher or lower than the organizations.

√  Who are the people with whom you most enjoy interacting? Do you prefer communicating with people who learn and pay attention to Auditory input (listening and asking questions), Visual input (seeing and observing to understand) or Kinesthetic input (moving, touching and hand-on activities). Do you relate best to people who strongly prefer to process information in Sequential ways (logical, orderly, realistic, data, accurate), Global ways (big picture, open-ended, possibilities, and options), or a near equal combination of both? Reflection on your preferences will reveal why you have rapport with some people and challenging relationships with others. All successful communications involve aligning “transmitting styles” with “receiving styles.”

In summary, practical neuroscience provides the break-through insights and solutions that finally give you a straight and direct pathway to the career and job you can be excited about each workday morning. It’s all about aligning your brain strengths, passions, knowledge and values with your work and the people with whom you interact.

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