Sunday, March 25, 2012

Stop Mental Musterbating

Laser Provision: You read that Provision title right. The best thing we can do for our brains, in particular, and our happiness overall is to stop musterbating. You know what I mean: all those mental lists we keep of the things we "must" and "must not" do. Checklists are one thing, and many people find them to be helpful. "Must" and "must not" do lists are quite another thing. They cause us to "should" on ourselves with all kind of negative self talk about how sick, dumb, crazy, or stupid we are to not be doing what we are supposed to be doing. Sound familiar? Do you play the "should-a, would-a, could-a" game with yourself? If so, then this Provision may give you both relief and direction. How do you spell relief? Read on!

Coaching Inquiries: How often do you blame, belittle, or berate yourself? How often do you think such thoughts about others? What would your life be like if you were to let go of all mental musterbating? What if the "should-a, would-a, could-a" voices were dial down the volume or even disappear? How good would that be? How could you make it so?

Our Organizing Minds

Laser Provision: Today's Provision is an appreciative review of a new book co-authored by my friend and colleague, Margaret Moore, the CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The premise of the book is simple: to organize our lives we must first organize our minds. What that means and how to get it done is what the book and this Provision is all about. If you've been looking for a fresh approach to long-standing problems of disorganization and distraction, then I invite you to fasten your seat belt and read on. In one Provision we will cover all six Rules of Order. Click here to read on.

Coaching Inquiries: How would you describe the state of your organizing mind? Is it on autopilot or have you taken control? What would help you to be more aware and active? How could you get more sleep? How would you describe your priorities in life and work? How could you pay more attention to them both now and in the future? Who could coach you through the conversation?

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Overwhelmed or Under Equipped?

Laser Provision: Increasing numbers of articles and books are being published, mostly by those who are 30 and over, with a similar refrain: the stress we are feeling these days reflects the fact that our brains have not yet caught up to our wired, 24-7 world. The overwhelm that we feel is not a personal failing; it is a global phenomenon that is taking a tremendous toll on our health and well-being. Fortunately, antidotes exist and they don't cost much money. A simple walk in the woods, taken regularly, may do the trick. So, too, with turning off the news and taking a few deep breaths. Although future generations may have better-equipped brains for the lives we now lead, the ones we have now require frequent servicing. If you've been looking for a respite, click here - this Provision fits the bill.

Coaching Inquiries: What practices assist you to find an oasis in the overwhelm? What helps you to eat well, exercise regularly, care for yourself, and relax your brain? How often do you do those things? Who could be your partner in the process? What would help you to more fully enjoy the journey?

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Repetition Rewires the Brain

Laser Provision: There was a time when I thought coaching was just about learning. Now I realize that it is also about unlearning. Learning and unlearning are two different, albeit related, processes. To unlearn things we have to grieve the loss of old familiar patterns and enjoy the discovery of new ones. To make those new patterns stick, we have to repeat them on a daily basis for at least six months. Such repetition literally rewires the brain. Until that happens, however, there is constant risk of relapse. That's why people benefit greatly from developing rewarding relationships with those who model and support our learning goals. Coaching is one such relationship, but there are many others. Do you want to change for good? This Provision sketches out the route. Click here to read on...

Coaching Inquiries: What habits are you trying to change? What losses do you want to grieve? What pleasures do you want to enjoy? What is one new behavior that you would like to repeat? Who could inspire and stand by you through the process? Who are your role models and coaches? How could you start spending more time with them on a regular basis?

Sunday, March 04, 2012

It's Not All In Our Neurons

Laser Provision: Have you ever heard of "The Neuron Doctrine"? Simply put, the Doctrine asserts that neurons hold a primary place in the brain and are responsible for human thinking. Even though neurons represent only about 10-15% of the human brain, that Doctrine has been in place for more than a hundred years and it has greatly influenced our approach to both neuroscience and human intelligence. When people study the brain, they study the neurons. Lately, however, that one-sided approach has begun to shift. Scientists are beginning to grasp and explore a much more active role for the other 85-90% of the human brain. What once was thought of as little more than glue, is now being recognized as the stuff that makes us truly human. If that sounds intriguing, and if you don't mind learning some new words, then this is the Provision for you (click here). Enjoy.

Coaching Inquiries: What kind of thinking describes your most characteristics thoughts? Are you more reactive or proactive? Are you more spontaneous and in-the-moment or are you more reflective and long-term? How could you strengthen your creative capacities? What would assist you to become more attentive, emotive, and imaginative? What's one new skill that you could learn in the next year?

It's Not All In Our Heads

Laser Provision: There's a lot of research and writing these days concerning brain functioning as it relates to human happiness and peak performance. That's because it's gotten a whole lot easier in the past two decades, with the advent of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (or fMRI) scanners and other technologies, to actually study the brain as it experiences different internal events. What is happening in the brain, for example, at the moment of insight? What can we learn about the power of focused attention that may inform our approach to coaching and leadership? How does the brain connect with the rest of the body? One thing is clear: the brain is not all in our heads. It's distributed throughout the body such that we feel things on deep, visceral levels. Sound intriguing? Read on.!

Coaching Inquiries: Which brain are you more aware of right now? Your mind, your heart, or your body? What would help you to integrate those brains into a peaceful and productive whole? How could you develop more cognitive, emotional, and physiological awareness? What would you like to do with that awareness, now that it's upon you?