Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1 of 3
+44 (0) 7976 751 095 [email protected] http://danbeverly.com
Why you Should Rethink the Value of Your Brain 01 March 2016
Given the competition for your brain's attention, no wonder our brains are so-easily overwhelmed.
Limit the impacts on your performance by rethinking how you value and use your brain.
Given the constant bombardment of distractions competing
for your brain's attention, I'm going to start by simply
saying "thank you" for taking the time to look at this post.
I really do appreciate it, because:
We live and work in a world
not wired for thinking space.
A perplexing glut of information, data and choices
Endless streams of emails and messages
Exhausting meeting schedules
Change and uncertainty at every turn
The burning temptation and expectation to be
"always on"
No wonder our brains are so-easily distracted and, at
times, overwhelmed.
The natural limitations of the brain
But we can't place the blame solely on the external world:
our brain is playing its part too.
Our brains operate under a number of natural limitations,
there by evolutionary design, but nevertheless hampering
us at work. And it turns out, one of the best ways to
overcome those limits is know what they are.
Brain Limitation #1: Energy Intensive
The brain is extremely energy-hungry. And so the brain
resists new thinking.
Brain Limitation #2: Limited Capacity
The "thinking brain" has just a fraction of your brain's full
capacity.
Brain Limitation #3: Serial Processor
The conscious brain cannot perform more than one process
at a time. And so relegates other thinking.
Page 2 of 3
+44 (0) 7976 751 095 [email protected] http://danbeverly.com
Brain Limitation #4: Extremely Fussy
The brain needs just the right neurochemistry to operate at
its best. And rarely achieves that.
Brain Limitation #5: Easily Distracted
Your brain is constantly bombarded with distractions.
And so easily moves off-task.
Brain Limitation #6: Easily Threatened
Our brain's threat state is easily-aroused. And so our brain
downgrades its own (thinking) function.
Brain Limitation #7: Hardwired Perception
The brain sees the world according to its own hardwiring.
And so struggles for different perspectives.
Focusing your attention
The brain is an attention economy. Look again at those
limitations above, and you might agree that if you could
only guide your attention, those limitations would have
less negative impact on your day.
So without wanting to overload your already-taxed brain;
yet still wanting to help you better-manage the challenge:
here's a simple focusing technique to guide your attention
to the task at hand.
1. Notice
Start by simply noticing what’s in the background. Any
preoccupations or dominant thoughts. Keep it light: be the
independent observer of your thinking.
2. Acknowledge
Very simply and succinctly acknowledge those thoughts,
either to yourself or to your coach. Keep it high-level and
out of the detail. “I’m thinking about that big project I need
to initiate.”
3. Label
In literally a word or two, label the emotion attached to
that thought. Again, keep it out of the detail and succinct:
in a word or two only. “The feeling around that is:
anxiety.”
4. Park
In whatever way works for you, park the issue. Sweep it
away, stick it in a drawer, put it on the shelf. Essentially,
giving yourself permission to park it and think about
something else.
Page 3 of 3
+44 (0) 7976 751 095 [email protected] http://danbeverly.com
Understanding the brain for peak performance
One delightful finding to come out of more recent brain
research is that understanding a little about how the brain
works leads to improved performance. Aside from the
opportunity to take steps to counter the autopilot (like the
focusing technique above), it's also a natural reappraisal
mechanism: "ah, that's just my brain doing what it does",
you can say.
It doesn't stop there. And I'm sure you're already starting
to think of things you can do (prioritise first, write lists,
creativity first thing, email inbox later) to start adapting
your working habits to your brain's preferred ways of
working.
There's never been a better time to re-think how you
value and use your brain.
Dan Beverly is a leadership and performance coach helping high-calibre, high-
performing professional women embrace the pivotal career moments.
His mission is to inspire possibility in others: to help us excel in careers without
compromise; and to leave us feeling energised and uplifted by a new future.
Go online to book your complimentary “Session Zero” with Dan – and start
capitalising on your pivotal career moments today.
http://danbeverly.com/session-zero
