Attention, is psychological gold. It is the lifeline of marketing, the desire of all teachers, and the heart of tabloid magazines.
What we pay attention to and how we pay attention to it, can mean the difference between chaos and disconnection, or fulfillment and strong relationships.
Goals are accomplished by focusing on what we want, taking the steps, then achieving the desired result. A simple concept, with a complex history. Why do most people fail to accomplish their goals? Would it be to bold to suggest that our focus as a society is being pulled in so many directions that we have lost touch with what focus and attention is all about.
Strong relationships are accomplished by giving our undivided attention to someone. Don't we all feel "better connected" with individuals who listen? Don't children respond best when you get on their level and give them your undivided attention.
Two ways to improve attention & focus:
1.) Goals: If you have a goal, whatever it may be, take a certain time each day to pay attention to that goal and that goal ONLY~ nothing else. No blackberry, Television, Cell Phone, T.V., Internet etc.(And watch out for your thoughts, these days we are conditioned to have our minds racing due to the overload of information and stimuli).
2.) Strong Relationships: Set some time to do something with a person you care about. Make sure it is all about them, and give them your undivided attention. The same rules apply; No Blackberry, Television, Cell Phone, T.V. etc. Really turn off and tune in~!
Note: If you have children, this technique can be powerful. Depending on their age, allocate some time daily, weekly, that is all about them. Ask them what they want to do for that 30 minutes or 1 hour, and only pay attention to them, nothing else! Not even in your thoughts.
I'd love to hear some thoughts on achieving goals and or strong relationships; I love comments and shared experiences.
e-mail jennifer@level88.ca
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
To respond or to react? it's our choice.
At any given point in our lives, we are always in one form of action: either a
RESPONSE
or REACTION
When people are first introduced to the idea of responding rather then reacting, it is pretty amazing see the reaction. Usually it is one of disbelief, maybe a bit of denial, or even curiousity. However, recently people are being introduced to the idea that there are choices we can make to improve our quality of life beyond our brand of toothpaste, or choice of luxury vehicle.
One of the champion tools we have is the choice whether to react or respond. When we are in a state of reaction, we are allowing our emotions to dictate our actions. Reacting can often perpetuate a problem, or enlarge a complaint, and can even tear down, rather then build up relationships. In reaction we often see a lot of blaming the "other person" rather then being accountable. Reacting is an outcome of the past, and is coming from some kind of emotional need. It is important to note that that a reaction can be internal or external, our thoughts count too.
Let's look at an example of work place reacting.
Anna has been working long hours on a project she is very passionate about. She has put in a lot of time and effort, and has even missed family commitments to complete her work. Finally the project is coming to an end, she just needs a bit of feedback from her supervisor before she can feel good about finalizing it and passing it over. She knows how busy her supervisor is, and reluctantly gathers the courage to ask for a bit of feedback prior to completion. Overworked and stressed out, Anna is feeling very nervous. However, her supervisor is also very busy, and pushes the feedback date forward for another two weeks.
1.)The supervisor sends her a quick e-mail saying. Good Afternoon, Anna. I am very busy these next two weeks and won't have a chance to look at this project until then.
+ What kind of reaction might anna have to this scenario?
+ What kinds of emotinal needs might she bring into this equation?
+ What common commitments or standards could she have been jeapordizing?
Anna might decide that her supervisor doesn't have time for her, therefore doesn't value her work. Most likely she is not going to "react" externally to her boss out of fear. However, it is easy to see how some internal reactions may begin to simmer.
What could Anna do in this situation to respond rather then react?
____________________________________________________________________________________
The key to Responding is to identify your feelings. Detect, Label, Let go and then Respond. It is especially important in the world today to identify that when our goals, values, and missions align we can respond better and more easily. We can take responsibiliyt for ourselves and make the choice that respect comes from the response we can give. Our emotional maturity needs to be encouraged by practicing extreme real self care in our physcial, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual quandrants. This is the short-cut to creating an environment where one can respond rather then react.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Discussion?
jennifer@level88.ca
RESPONSE
or REACTION
When people are first introduced to the idea of responding rather then reacting, it is pretty amazing see the reaction. Usually it is one of disbelief, maybe a bit of denial, or even curiousity. However, recently people are being introduced to the idea that there are choices we can make to improve our quality of life beyond our brand of toothpaste, or choice of luxury vehicle.
One of the champion tools we have is the choice whether to react or respond. When we are in a state of reaction, we are allowing our emotions to dictate our actions. Reacting can often perpetuate a problem, or enlarge a complaint, and can even tear down, rather then build up relationships. In reaction we often see a lot of blaming the "other person" rather then being accountable. Reacting is an outcome of the past, and is coming from some kind of emotional need. It is important to note that that a reaction can be internal or external, our thoughts count too.
Let's look at an example of work place reacting.
Anna has been working long hours on a project she is very passionate about. She has put in a lot of time and effort, and has even missed family commitments to complete her work. Finally the project is coming to an end, she just needs a bit of feedback from her supervisor before she can feel good about finalizing it and passing it over. She knows how busy her supervisor is, and reluctantly gathers the courage to ask for a bit of feedback prior to completion. Overworked and stressed out, Anna is feeling very nervous. However, her supervisor is also very busy, and pushes the feedback date forward for another two weeks.
1.)The supervisor sends her a quick e-mail saying. Good Afternoon, Anna. I am very busy these next two weeks and won't have a chance to look at this project until then.
+ What kind of reaction might anna have to this scenario?
+ What kinds of emotinal needs might she bring into this equation?
+ What common commitments or standards could she have been jeapordizing?
Anna might decide that her supervisor doesn't have time for her, therefore doesn't value her work. Most likely she is not going to "react" externally to her boss out of fear. However, it is easy to see how some internal reactions may begin to simmer.
What could Anna do in this situation to respond rather then react?
____________________________________________________________________________________
The key to Responding is to identify your feelings. Detect, Label, Let go and then Respond. It is especially important in the world today to identify that when our goals, values, and missions align we can respond better and more easily. We can take responsibiliyt for ourselves and make the choice that respect comes from the response we can give. Our emotional maturity needs to be encouraged by practicing extreme real self care in our physcial, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual quandrants. This is the short-cut to creating an environment where one can respond rather then react.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Discussion?
jennifer@level88.ca
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
People are not tired, they are bored
When priorities begin to fade and action items take over, a feeling of disorganization and chaos is on the horizon. It is safe to say that continuing on that path can only lead to burn out. Finally a vacation is in order, and planned. By the time I reach my destination, a migraine sets in. The stress and the over extension has led me to this. It is disappointing to be sick when you are on vacation, and I'll bet this has happened to a lot of people. Of course, I need to find out what the issue is. How did I get to this point? Am I on the right path? I'm enjoying what I am doing? What is happening? It's important to recognize what is really at hand, rather then sum it up with too busy, or too tired. These words are excuses we use to avoid the truth. After a little bit of thought, I found that a lot of my actions were not in line with my "standards" . Guidelines I created for myself to live by and that were important to me. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in "being busy" which is essentially the same as "just being". Rather then being purposeful, effective, and keeping in line with your standards. When you are doing what you love, and you are in line with your standards, passion will rise. When passion joins in, getting tired, being too busy, etc. seem to disappear. It is really important to be creative and passionate about what you do, to be in constant discovery. My lesson is to focus on my passion, remember my standards, and never forget that being busy is not the same as being effective or purposeful.
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