Posts tagged ‘Stress’

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November 2, 2011

Five Common Pitfalls Entrepreneurs Should Avoid

Pitfall! (my version)

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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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September 1, 2011

Can Practical Neuroscience Methods Help Adults with ADHD?

High Dopamine Transporter Levels Not Correlate...

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A recent St. Louis public TV special on Adult ADHD stimulated my thinking about this rapidly growing phenomenon. My first reaction was that I possess several characteristics of ADHD and wonder what an accurate diagnosis would reveal. I then thought about people I work with who have one or more ADHD symptoms and are competent, accomplished and self-fulfilled individuals with successful careers and harmonious personal relationships. I have used practical neuroscience strategies for over two decades to learn and perform in areas I never thought possible. These thoughts gave me hope that self-help is possible for tens of millions of people suffering from this condition.

My questions are:

  • Can adults diagnosed with ADHD help themselves manage specific negative traits?
  • Is the rate of adult ADHD growing and getting worse, or are increased awareness of the problem and improved diagnosis methods, finally revealing a human condition that has been around for a very long time?
  • What effect does physical environment, the economy and world affairs have on this condition?
  • What, besides prescription drugs and psychotherapy, may help people with mild and severe symptoms?

The following is a short list of Adult ADHD symptoms and traits, which may become more manageable using practical neuroscience self-help methods. Severe behavioral symptoms that typically require a combination of prescription drugs and psychotherapy are not addressed here. The list is organized by the three commonly used ADHD categories. Following each trait is a summary of how self-awareness of sensory and cognitive thinking strengths and “blind spots” may provide some level of relief and increased performance.

Hyperactivity

1. Impulsive movement, fidgeting and touching things

A high percentage of the population is comprised of Kinesthetic learners. Their world revolves around physical movement, hands-on activities and how things feel. When Kinesthetic preferences are significantly stronger and more dominant than Visual and Auditory preferences, the Kinesthetic traits associated with ADHD become more observable and may appear extreme. This imbalance can be managed by strengthening the next strongest sensory pathway, Visual or Auditory. Jobs, household activities, hobbies and sports activities, requiring extensive use of Kinesthetic skill sets, are healthy and productive outlets for highly Kinesthetic individuals.

Impulsivity

2. Interrupting others

Most people are poor listeners and do not realize how little meaning they extract from what is said. Very few are able to detect underlying feelings and intention by listening to tone-of-voice. Talking over other people and interrupting is frequently an unconscious act of people with low Auditory preferences and can undermine relationships. When individuals know their Auditory acuity is low, they can improve communication effectiveness in conversations by merely being more aware that they are poor listeners. This shift in awareness actually improves their listening ability through focus on their “non-preference.” Paraphrasing what they heard, making comfortable eye contact and asking questions to gain clarity strengthen listening ability, while improving relationship harmony. Everyone can gain from these practical neuroscience communication methods.

3. Switching tasks rapidly

Some people’s brains are wired to think Globally, in terms of the “big picture.” They live in a world of possibilities and options and are comfortable with open-ended situations. They naturally tend to jump around from task to task, giving casual observers the impression that they are accomplishing very little. Global thinking people have much to offer the world, however, when it comes to identifying future solutions and outcomes for current situations in need of change. Individuals with this cognitive preference should align themselves with Global activities to make use of their strengths. Global thinkers should also consider seeking help with life’s practical matters from Sequential-thinking, trusted advisors.

Inattention

4. Time management and organization

Issues with time management and organization may share the same core cause as rapid task switching. Time management and organizations skills can be learned under most circumstances. This is where Sequential-thinking family members and co-workers can  role model and coach Sequential skills.

5. Work related mistakes and accidents

Every person has “blind spots” related to their least preferred sensory and cognitive pathways.  Decreased attention to these pathways means increased likelihood of mistakes and accidents. Examples include:

  • Low Auditory – may not hear something important
  • Low Visual  – may miss seeing something important
  • Low Kinesthetic  – may be physically awkward and clumsy
  • Low Sequential – may not follow logical steps or safe protocols
  • Low Global – may miss identifying possibilities and options when logic fails

Awareness of “blind spots” allows for increased focus, when the risk of a mistake or accident is highest.

It’s also advisable to have trusted friends “cover your blind spots” with their strengths.

6. Taking longer to complete tasks than others

This condition is common to all people, as a function of their sensory and cognitive thinking strengths and “blind spots.” You tend to get more, productive work done, when using your strongest and most preferred pathways. What most people do not know is that they can boost personal productivity by creating a physical environment conducive to doing specific tasks and activities. Examples:

  • Auditory tasks – quiet and interruption free environment
  • Visual tasks – organized, attractive, uncluttered environment
  • Kinesthetic tasks – comfortable environment that allows movement
  • Sequential tasks – formal environment
  • Global tasks – informal environment

Performing tasks in compatible environments often boosts productivity by 20% -60%.

7. Relationship conflicts

Nearly everyone has difficulty communicating with some of the people in their life. This is when his or her “transmitting style” is out-of-sync with another person’s “receiving style.” Some combinations of sensory sequence and cognitive processing style place a person at high risk to be out of alignment with a large percentage of the people they interact with at home and work. Knowing the communication preferences of others, allows adjustment of one’s “transmitting style” to their “receiving styles,” thus enhancing rapport and understanding.

In conclusion, you have nothing to lose by learning how your brain is wired to receive and process sensory information and by knowing your “blind spots.” These insights may be what you need to know to manage your ADHD symptoms, regardless of your diagnosis. You may be delighted and surprised by how much you can improve and achieve with self-administered and safe practical neuroscience knowledge and tools. Look online for trusted sources of statistically validated practical neuroscience assessment products like Brain PathWays™ to help you and your loved ones relieve Adult ADHD symptoms.

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August 30, 2011

Turbo-Boost Your Body and Brainpower for Peak Performance

health

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Provide your brain and body with what they need for consistent high performance with these practical, science-based tips.

Your brain is the most miraculous mass of protoplasm in the known universe. It weighs in at a whopping 3 pounds and has approximately 100 billion neurons capable of connecting with one another in multiple ways to create memory and computing power that boggles the imagination. It’s your navigation system for life.

Your brain needs a healthy and vibrant body to function properly and vice versa. The following tips apply to general health and well-being, managing stress and keeping you alert and focused so you can perform at peak levels.

  • Fuel for Your Brain and Body

These ideas are intended to stimulate your thinking and motivate independent research to create and implement your optimum brain and body turbo boosting diet. Four to six small and nutrient rich meals per day provide a steady flow of fuel for consistent high performance. “Fatty fish” (e.g. salmon and tuna) containing omega-3 oils seems to be amongst the top ten recommendations from trusted sources for brain and body health. Fresh fruits high in antioxidants and nutrient-rich vegetables having a “rainbow of colors” come highly recommended. Protein sources include nuts, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry and low fat animal sources. Green tea is high in antioxidants and known as a brain boosting beverage. Four to six, or more, glasses of water is a given. Avocados have monounsaturated sources of fat that increase blood flow to the brain, important minerals and antioxidant properties. Look into turmeric that may protect your brain against disease, improve your vision and strengthen your immune system; look for preparations that include pepper to help your body assimilate this miraculous spice.

  • Exercise and Posture

Do exercise you enjoy to strengthen your lungs, heart and muscles a minimum of 20 minutes  per session, 3 or more times per week. Good posture while sitting, walking and driving will pay dividends now and in the future. Your spinal chord is the “central wiring system” connecting your brain and body. Pay attention to ergonomics where you work, eat, relax, play and sleep.

Stress causes distress and eventually disease. It’s no fun experiencing stress from worry, a tired body, fatigued brain, and an inhospitable environment. You most likely will make mistakes in what you are doing when stress takes hold. Also, relationships may suffer if you are interacting with others. Simple techniques help you prevent and manage stress.

Oxygen is vital for healthy brain function. Deep and rhythmic breathing is a good practice, particularly under stress, when most people tend to breathe shallowly or hold their breath. Drinking clean ice water, rich in dissolved oxygen, helps brain function as well as flushing body toxins. Exercise is also a great, therapeutic way to increase brainpower and keep the body healthy.

Take a break when you first feel the early signs of stress. Getting physically away from where you are, even for 5-10 minutes, will help you reframe and gather your wits. Do something different like taking a short walk, closing your eyes to meditate, having a short conversation with someone you trust, eating a snack, drinking a healthy beverage or listening to calming music.

Kinesthetic Cross-Overs help increase the distribution of electrical energy, blood flow and oxygen between the two brain hemispheres. Take your right or left thumb and hold it in front of your eyes. Trace an imaginary large figure “8.” Follow the motion of your thumb with your eyes. Do three to five sequences, or more, in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. You may also toss a ball from one hand to another to get the same effect.

When you are tired and working too long at one thing your focus and attention drops off.  Mistakes and costly accidents can occur. Practical neuroscience methods keep you at peak levels of performance.

Peppermint will perk up your brain when you feel sleepy and need to stay focused and alert. Essential oils, mints and chewing gum work well when driving a vehicle and when you need to  stay on task while working.

Frequent breaks are recommended, particularly when doing highly stressful activities. Typically,  the adult attention span is 20 – 30 minutes. It makes sense to take short and frequent breaks, timed with the decline of your attention and performance.

Classical music is known to put your brain in an optimal state for high levels of cognitive  processing and performance. Popular music may stimulate emotions that can distract you and  cause you to think about the words, rather than what you have to do.

  • Think About What You Think About

What you give attention to gets stronger and persists because of neuroplasticity. It’s like exercising a muscle. When you think about a subject, talk about it, and take in additional sensory information to expand your knowledge and understanding, your memory get stronger, like growing a root system of a tree. If you’re thinking about what you don’t want in life, quickly reverse negative thoughts into polar opposite positive thoughts and outcomes so  you will get what you really want to experience. Always think positively and optimistically, even when life is challenging and looks bleak.

In conclusion, small and frequent portions of healthy food, pure water, oxygenation, exercise, proper posture and practical neuroscience are great ways to stay healthy, manage stress and maintain focus to be the very best you can be. A positive mental attitude always wins out and makes life better.

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August 11, 2011

Boosting Trader Performance With Neuroscience

trader

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I recently had the opportunity to facilitate the opening session of a workshop for financial traders in Kansas City, Missouri. Participants arrived from Spain, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the United States. They came together to present results of their research projects and to engage in five days of live training to observe and share best practices.

My role was to help these traders understand how their brains are wired to receive and process information so they could improve their performance. The effect of stress on their brains was addressed with emphasis on neuroscience methods to stay calm, resolute and “whole brained” while working. First, I will share my personal observations of the group characteristics, followed by a summary of the neuroscience data. Finally, a summary of the participant responses to their neuroscience reports and experiential exercises is provided.

Trader Behavioral Characteristics

The energy, tone, attitude and dynamics of the group were significantly different than what I expected. While this is a competitive field, everyone exhibited humility, open-mindedness and willingness to share their knowledge. What a breath of fresh air to experience men and women coming together for self-improvement with the attitude and intention of learning from one another.

The group, as a whole, seemed emotionally stable, with resilience and preparedness to deal with uncertainly, risk and opportunity in their profession. There was a quiet tone of calmness, maturity and wisdom present. The overarching theme seemed to be “performance excellence from continuous learning.”

Trader Neuroscience Profile

Fourteen participants completed an online, statistically validated survey that measured their sensory sequences and cognitive thinking preferences.

Sensory Strengths

  • Auditory (“word smart”): 7%
  • Kinesthetic (“body smart”): 21%
  • Visual (“picture smart”): 71%

Sensory “Blind Spots”

Where accidents and mistakes are most likely to happen under stress:

  • Auditory (not hearing something important): 86%
  • Visual (not seeing something important): 7%
  • Kinesthetic (pushing the wrong key): 7%

Cognitive Strengths

  • Sequential (“logic smart”): 14%
  • Global (“big picture smart”): 29%
  • Integrated (“cognitively balanced”): 57%

Trader Responses to Neuroscience Tools

All participants exhibited high levels of eagerness and enthusiasm to learn more about themselves through a neuroscience lens. They enjoyed their individualized reports and stated the results were accurate and connected to their performance. Most were familiar with some of the traditional personality and behavioral assessments;they were delighted to experience something different with practical brain-based tools they could put to use immediately.

The group takeaways included a heightened awareness of their neuroscience strengths and “blind spots” and how stress affects trader performance. They valued the tip on how to avoid visual sensory habituation (staring at data and screens too long) by moving their eyes around and shifting their physical position. The breathing and oxygenation techniques for managing stress got attention and “ah ha’s.” The group was challenged to form “trader teams,” with different brain strengths. The exercise helped them learn to leverage the power of diversity for “whole brain” performance and boosted their ability to spot opportunities and avoid pitfalls.

Summary

Being a successful trader requires a combination of highly unique characteristics. These include a passion and fortitude for the work, combined with extraordinary patience and willingness to learn from one’s disappointments and accomplishments. Successful traders know that success is never final; it’s measured over time like a baseball player’s batting average. They need to know themselves, inside and out, including their mental and emotional nature. Knowing how to leverage brain strengths is a critical, and often neglected, ingredient that can mean the difference between mediocrity and performance excellence.

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July 29, 2011

Looking for Solutions in All the Wrong Places

Advice

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There seem to be more people than ever worried about having enough money to pay bills, do fun things, cover emergencies and retire someday. People are worried about their careers, employment security and where their next job lies, should they become unemployed. Basic needs and survival issues are putting unprecedented levels of stress on relationships at home and work. Stress is compromising our mental, emotional and physical health. People are searching for direction and solutions leading to a better, safer and more predictable life.

We can no longer depend on the “historically dependable employer” for job security, or on government and institutions “too large to let fail” for solutions and bailouts. Historically, people depended on wise parents, grandparents, clergy, teachers and close friends for counsel and advice. The problem is that many of these people are now struggling with their own challenges. It’s hard to think clearly and help others when you are hurting and struggling.

Looking for solutions outside of ourselves is the wrong and worst place to go. People have too long given their power to other people, organizations and institutions, allowing these others to tell them what to do and letting them make decisions on their behalf. This trend must end now, if we want to reverse what we are experiencing. This is an ideal time to look for solutions in the only places they can be found: our own brains and those of our “trusted advisors.” We must use our brainpower at higher levels than ever before to create new outcomes and realities. The thinking and actions that created our current situation are incapable of making it better; they can only give us more of the same.

Hierarchy of Decision Making (From Best to Worst)

  • You and your “trusted advisors”
  • You
  • Businesses and services providers having demonstrated integrous values, services and products
  • Self-serving individuals, organizations, institutions and business

The reason for placing “trusted advisors” at the top is because they share your values, have common goals, believe in the “power within” and are committed to helping you in return for you helping them. Trusted advisor groups know that they can do more together than individually. They recognize that “flying solo” is a lonely and potentially dangerous act.

In conclusion, if ignorant and selfish thinking created our current colossal mess, then focused integrous thinking becomes the new pathway to a better future. Practical neuroscience is available to anyone interested leveraging their brain strengths, knowledge and experience to solve problems. This is a call for action to form critical masses of like-minded people to combine their brainpower for a more prosperous and peaceful life.

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July 20, 2011

Two Quick Ways to Kick-Start Your Personal Productivity

Productive

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You’re not alone if you think you should be getting a lot more done in a day, considering all the time you put in. Continuous low productivity degrades your morale and builds stress. Besides running the risk of losing your job, you compromise your immune system and increase the probability of stress-related health problems. You also escalate the chances of making mistakes or having a work related accident.

You may not know that the way your brain is wired to work, think, learn and communicate has an impact on your personal productivity. Practical neuroscience provides the understanding and actionable tools to improve your current situation.

Practical Neuroscience Principles of Personal Productivity

You engage with what you’re most attracted to. This includes subject matter and the value received from engaging with the subject. When you don’t like certain tasks at work, there’s a natural resistance and push-back, making it difficult to engage with them. This is the genesis of productivity problems.

You always get more done in less time, with fewer mistakes, when you’re interested in the subject and your brain wiring is aligned with the activity. Conversely, you avoid things that don’t interest you or tasks with requirements misaligned with your brain strengths. Resistance to doing what you naturally don’t want to do decreases engagement and productivity. This builds stress, anxiety and guilt. It can lead to loss of health, peace-of-mind and your job.

Two Quick Ways to Kick-Start Your Personal Productivity

1. Establish value or give yourself a reward

If you’re in a job you intensely dislike, what are its most positive aspects? Examples may be a paycheck, medical coverage and two weeks paid vacation. Concentrate on your most positive thoughts during the workday to help you focus and engage with work activities; then, when you get home, start imagining and working toward a new and better job.

Establish rewards for accomplishing one to two hour “chunks” of work, having identified recognizable progress milestones. Rewards may be short breaks to take a walk, enjoy a snack, look at a travel magazine, write in your journal or look at family photos. Your “mini-rewards” should always involve getting away from your direct workspace, even if it’s for 10 minutes or less. On a macro basis, look forward to the end of each day and imagine doing something nice for yourself and your loved ones. You will be happier and find yourself getting more done.

2. Create the optimum physical environment for the activity

Your brain performs best when the physical environment is aligned with the sensory and cognitive components of the task. For hands-on (Kinesthetic) activities, provide for physical comfort and freedom of movement. Be sure to have all your tools and equipment within easy reach. Visual tasks are best completed in organized and attractive environments, where your eyes can focus on your work. Attentive listening (Auditory) requires a quiet and interruption free environment. Sequential tasks, calling for accuracy and focus, are best accomplished in bright light and cooler temperature. Global work, involving imagination and creative problem solving, requires dim light, warmer temperatures and comfortable furniture.

Keep a positive mental attitude, remember to breathe deeply and drink water throughout the day to oxygenate. Take frequent breaks to refresh and reenergize. These simple methods alone will raise your personal productivity and improve the quality of your work life.

In summary, you have more control over your personal productivity and the quality of your work life than you may imagine. No matter how bad your current work situation is, you can take immediate steps to improve it. Practical neuroscience and knowing how your brain is wired are your pathways to a better and more prosperous life with less stress.

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January 27, 2011

Your State of Mind Barometer

The Brain Limbic System

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Do you have days when you are happy, energized and operating at peak performance? Are there other times when you feel stressed out, fearful and drained? What causes these swings? Most importantly, what can you do when you’re feeling out-of-sync? An easy to use neuroscience tool helps you monitor your daily state of mind. Powerful and safe neuroscience methods are your “elevator” to reach your higher brain state and potential.

Neuroscience Principles

1. You have three interconnected brains:

2. Your reptilian brain needs attention first

This is your oldest evolutionary brain, located at the base of the brain stem. It controls your breathing, heartbeat and basic sensory motor functions like balance and muscles. You may know this part of your brain as your “fight or flight” instinct. The reptilian brain communicates and responds to real and perceived safety, survival and physical pain issues. It’s impossible to function at high levels when you are in a “reptilian state.”

3. Your limbic system is your mood elevator to peak performance

This is your next oldest brain. It’s sometimes called the “mammalian brain” and is the seat of emotions. Your limbic system communicates how you feel, records positively and negatively charged memories and controls how your body reacts to emotional situations. It needs to communicate with the neocortex to process information. Your brain creates endorphins (you experience feelings, sensations and emotions) when you interact with external situations and think about certain things. The intensity will vary depending on the memory and value you place on them. Negative emotions like fear, anger, attack and danger can block you from thinking clearly and performing at your highest level. Positive thoughts and emotions (e.g. love, curiosity, feeling safe, good self-esteem and excitement about doing something fun or important) act as the “mood elevator” to your neocortex.

4. Your neocortex is the driver seat for performance excellence

This is your most recently evolved brain. It’s located over the limbic system and is your advanced “thinking brain.” The neocortex represents two-thirds of your brain mass. It has the most neuron cells, the building blocks for memory, intelligence, problem solving, decision making and performance excellence.

State of Mind Barometer

Use the State of Mind barometer as a quick daily check. Circle the statements that most clearly describe you in the present moment.

Lower Brain States

  • Tired and stressed
  • Abrupt and rude
  • Insensitive to others
  • Thinking and using “wounding words”
  • Judgmental and condemning
  • Thinking and acting negatively
  • Depressed and lethargic
  • Upset, anxious and fearful
  • Worried, stuck and frozen
  • Avoiding challenging situations
  • Grim, heavy and feeling “gravity”

Higher Brain States

  • Energized and alert
  • Polite and gracious
  • Sensitive to other people’s lives
  • Thinking and using “healing words”
  • Understanding and forgiving
  • Thinking and acting positively
  • Energized and proactive
  • Calm, thoughtful and deliberate
  • Moving forward in a positive direction
  • Facing challenges with faith and courage
  • Light hearted with a sense of humor

Higher brain states indicate you are probably experiencing towering levels of self-actualization. You undoubtedly feel fulfilled and are an inspiration and magnet to others. If you have one or more “lower brain” statements circled, and want to move to a higher state, consider using the following neuroscience methods to reach and function from your neocortex.

Methods to Shift from Lower to Higher Brain States

1. Body needs come first

This includes sleep, rest, play, food, fluids, proper diet, exercise, elimination, treatment of physical pain and disease.

2. Take a break from what you are doing

Fatigue can set in even when we are doing things we enjoy. Build in frequent breaks when working, thinking, solving problems and making decisions. Do something different and enjoyable.

3. Oxygenate

Deep breathing, walking, stretching, sports and drinking ice water increase oxygen to your brain and make you feel much better.

4. Think positive thoughts

For every negative thought, think a positive thought (e.g. replace “I am stressed and angry” with “I am alert and forgiving.”) The brain can’t tell the difference between what’s happening “out there” or “in here.” “Fake it until you make it” means thinking what you want to experience until you experience it. This really works!

5. Music soothes the savage beast

Playing works from Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Brahms and similar composers activates positive “upper brain” (neocortex) pathway states. Think about the times when music had a beneficial effect on your state of mind. Music is a quick escape route from lower brain states.

6. Pay attention to what you look at, listen to and do.

Make your movie, TV, radio, reading materials and hobby selections align with the brain state you want to live in. If you want more peace of mind and calmness then avoid movies and materials that contain violence, terror, wounding words and war.

7. Pay attention to people and organizations you associate with

Make choices that align with the values and behaviors you want to experience.

In conclusion, you can experience a better, less stressful and more abundant life. Your higher brain is the engine for performance excellence and living the life of your dreams. A simple diagnostic check each day helps you determine if you are in a lower or higher brain state. These powerful and safe neuroscience methods are your “elevator” to reach your higher brain state and greatest potential.

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October 27, 2010

Everyone’s Doing the Best They Can

Does the title seem a bit outrageous, particularly when you observe sub-par performance in someone from whom you expect more? That someone may be you or a person you work or live with. Rather than moving into judgment, let’s examine why everyone is doing the best they can. Perhaps you will be kinder to yourself and others after understanding the underlying neuroscience principles of performance excellence. These insights improve relationships by suspending judgment and raise the bar for other areas you want to improve.

Think about something you recently did poorly but with which you have a good track record. Were you calm or in a stressed state? Was the physical environment right? Were you thinking too much about the activity rather than trusting your instincts and training? Were you worried or experiencing pain? Your physical environment and brain-body state has significant impact on performance. This applies to doing something you are good at or learning something entirely new. “State” is the first part of understanding why people are doing the best they can. The other part is “resources.”

Resources are your skill sets, knowledge and physical equipment. People can be considered “resources” when they are an integral part of the activity in which you are engaged. Let’s take tennis as an example. Are the racquet, clothing and shoes comfortable and in good working order? Have you researched your opponent and developed your game plan? Do you have the skills and stamina to execute the shots and moves? Are your friends and coach present to support and cheer you on to victory? If not, your resources may be inadequate to get the outcomes you want.

State-of-mind and resources work hand-in-hand to achieve performance excellence. If one or both are lacking and not working together, performance will suffer. When you experience yourself or others performing poorly in relationships, work and life choices, think about the “state-resources connection” to suspend judgment and understand the dynamics of what’s going on.

You can increase your performance in any activity by utilizing the neuroscience principles of state and resources. Pilots use pre-flight checklists to gain awareness of their state and resources. This includes how they and their crew are feeling, as well as their equipment, aircraft environment, flight plan, weather conditions and other factors. Develop your own checklist for the activities you want to improve. Consider both “state” and “resources” as you create and use your lists for practice and performance. Integrating these two elements will get your brain and body connected and engaged to achieve performance excellence.

Self awareness and mastery of your sensory and cognitive thinking pathway strengths is essential to experience performance excellence. You must know how your brain is wired and what makes you tick to build knowledge, competencies and skills. Your comprehensive and personalized 14-page Brain PathWays report is available on www.brainpathways.net. Brain PathWays is the world leader in practical neuroscience for better daily living.

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October 5, 2010

3 Easy Steps to Cope With Stress

Day Sixty - Stress Management for Professional...

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There’s no denying it. We are experiencing stress at unprecedented levels. Worries have a cascading effect on our careers, personal relationships and health. If it’s true that our thoughts shape our reality, shouldn’t we be more self-aware of our thoughts? Stress is the silent killer of  quality-of-life. Most stress comes from our stored thoughts and how we interpret input from the physical world.

When we feel like our very survival is at stake, our “reptilian brain” kicks into gear. This ancient brain is reactionary and instinctive. It does not plan or have cognitive powers; yet, it shuts down our ability to think and act intelligently. If you are having difficulty thinking clearly and you feel helpless, you may be operating in your “reptilian brain.” Here are three easy and quick first aid treatments:

Step 1 – “Admit, but don’t submit” to your state-of-mind. If you are in doubt, download a free PDF, entitled State-of-Mind Barometer . Your state-of-mind, good or bad, can change without notice. It’s a roller coaster ride at best. This tool will help you track your state-of-mind anytime you use it.

Step 2 – “Get out of hell quickly” by engaging your higher brain. It’s called your neo-cortex. This is where you think clearly without static and distracting emotions. First, get more oxygen to your brain by deep breathing, drinking ice water, walking and exercising. Then take a break from what you are doing. Listening to classical music, visiting an art museum, reading an inspiring passage, or spending time with upbeat and positive friends are all great ways to get to a more peaceful and resourceful state.  Brain Tune-Up Tools is another good resource, available for free download as a PDF.

Step 3 – “Plan and implement” an action plan to replace the stress induced patterns and problems. You will know you have arrived at the top-floor of your brain when you feel more peaceful and think clearly without excessive fear. You can accelerate the planning and implementation process by utilizing your brain strengths. The reliable Brain PathWays™ survey provides a comprehensive and personalized report that tells you how your brain is wired and what makes you tick.

Self-awareness of your state-of-mind and stress management tools are the keys to living a happier, more fulfilling and less stressful life. Stress is inevitable for most of us, but we don’t have to accept it and let it take its toll on our relationships and health.

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September 14, 2010

College Survival Guide: Test Prep Secret Weapons

063 | Study

Image by The Doctr via Flickr

Preparing for tests, presentations and public speaking engagements can be daunting. It is often stressful because important outcomes are at stake and you may not be 100% confident in your ability to prepare properly. Worrying about deadlines may stress you out. To get ready for tests faster, with better results and less stress, streamline your study system with these secret weapons.

Using your strongest sensory pathways to study and prepare speeds up learning and memory retention. Here are some examples of how it works:

Visual and Auditory Learners: Read your notes and key points aloud. Trade notes with classmates and have a discussion.

Kinesthetic and Visual Learners: Look over your visual material while doing something kinesthetic like walking, squeezing a ball, pacing, or eating. Use flash cards.

Auditory and Kinesthetic Learners: Talk to yourself, silently or aloud, about the key points as you engage in kinesthetic activities. Do a “walk and talk” with a friend.

The following neuroscience strategies work for nearly all learners. Use these in conjunction with the sensory methods above for extraordinary accelerated learning and memory results.

Relax: “Alpha state” is when your brain waves slow down and you are in a relaxed state. When you want to absorb and remember important information quickly, review it right before you doze off or right after you wake up. Use your two strongest sensory pathways to review the key learning points.

Music: Classical music containing high frequency violins vibrates the cerebral cortex.  This effect creates an ideal brain state to input information into memory. Music with about 60 beats per second is ideal as it matches the natural rhythm of your heart. Listen to composers like Mozart and Vivaldi.

Smell: Scent has an instantaneous effect on your brain state. Peppermint perks you up when you are tired or zoned out. Lavender helps calm you down if you feel  anxious and stressed out. Flavored gum, essential oils and aromatherapy are ways to incorporate these scents into your learning experiences.

Taste: Taste also has an immediate impact on brain chemistry. Associate learning a specific subject with a specific taste, like chocolate chip cookies, green tea or a “jelly belly” flavor. Recreating the taste, or even the mere thought of it, will retrieve the memory of what you learned.  

You can achieve super powers to live the life of your dreams. All it takes is self-awareness of your brain potential and understanding of how you’re wired for super performance. Get your test prep secret weapon at www.brainpathways.net.

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