Sunday, February 1, 2015

New Page on My Website: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is FIVE TIMES a better indicator for workplace success than IQ. The good news is unlike IQ, EI can be increased intentionally. Go to my new website page for ways to deepen your EQ.





See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Friday, December 19, 2014

How to Focus a Wandering Mind

Great article on why it wanders and how to get control of it; should be good for meetings, etc.


It’s not surprising—this kind of repeated mental exercise is like going to the gym, only you’re building your brain instead of your muscles. And mind-wandering is like the weight you add to the barbell—you need some “resistance” to the capacity you’re trying to build. Without mind-wandering to derail your attempts to remain focused, how could you train the skills of watching your mind and controlling your attention?


FULL ARTICLE



Reading all this might make you think that we’d be better off if we could live our lives in a constant state of laser-like, present moment focus. But a wandering mind isn’t all bad. Not only can we leverage it to build focus using FA meditation, but the capacity to project our mental stream out of the present and imagine scenarios that aren’t actually happening is hugely evolutionarily valuable, which may explain why it’s so prominent in our mental lives. These processes allow for creativity, planning, imagination, memory—capacities that are central not only to our survival, but also to the very essence of being human.

See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Opening the Chakras - It's Child's Play



You may have heard the term "chakra" and dismissed it as new-age nonsense. But chakras are very real. This video, a cartoon excerpt, explains them very well (and enjoyably). Take a minute and enjoy this introduction to chakra clearing for better physical and emotional health.

Link directly to video or watch here (below):



See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Anger: What Is It Good For?



Answer: Absolutely nothing.

Maybe. I'm obviously paraphrasing Bruce here...but let me fill you in on my reasoning.

In my work, I've followed the research on anger most of all. Anger is the thing everyone signs up for my classes to avoid or remedy. It's the main theme for ALL of the interpersonal skill programs. How to avoid this result. The damage it does.

At first, the literature said: Let it all hang out; don't hold back. It's bad for you, it's not healthy. So, we all did. And that got a result...one most of us did not appreciate. One that did damage, esp. in the workplace. Lately, the research says the opposite: To indulge your anger, creates adrenaline neuropathways, that BEG to be fed, once laid down. And then we create situations to allow ourselves to anger/rage. It feels good at the time. And we all know how it feels afterward: mostly shaming, regretful, left cleaning up the consequences.

I've been thinking about this for some time now. I've noticed my relationships have only suffered, never repaired to their former state, much more damage done than benefit found.

I'm not sure what I want any of you to do with this. I'm just noticing the evolution in myself. I'm gonna continue to notice and will report anything I find that works for me...as always.

I can recommend just about EVERYTHING that Albert Ellis wrote. He wrote a lot..so that should keep you busy. He's got several books on anger and how to unplug from it.

See Stephanie's site Work Stress Solutions for more information like this.