Brain chemistry | Energize Performance

Improvisational Leadership – positive influence for everything

June 24, 2010 · by Bob Faw

powerful & positive

I just led a two-day course on Improvisational Leadership. Not only was it a blast, I learned a lot from the students as well.

Some of the key lessons that the students talked about were:

the improvisational tools can be layered on almost any management approach to add even more value
any culture can increase its capability to improvise in ever-changing situations… and the more leadership models and rewards positive and risk-taking and adaptation, the faster the organization can improvise
the “yes and” approach can help make any relationship better – even with oneself
one of the side benefits of using improvisational leaders
hip techniques is being more approachable and popular

Please join in on the posts talking about improvisational culture and what you think that looks like.

Priming: Focusing on a clear goal guides positive behaviors

June 9, 2010 · by Bob Faw

The Power of Focus: The human brain can only take in so much data at once.

Focus on your end goal

What we unconsciously or purposely focus on ends up limiting our ability to see other things. So what happens when we choose to look mostly at negatives or limitations? What happens when we focus mostly on success? Choosing to focus on solutions primes our brain to see opportunities that we may have otherwise missed. Words prime us by creating mental images and feeling states. Negative words such as “stop”, “avoid” and “don’t” try to negate them. The brain immediately sends out emotion biochemicals in response to imagery – creating feeling states within milliseconds. Plus, the brain does not know how to negate a mental image.
E.g., when we say to a child, “No, do not go into the swimming pool,” the child’s mental image is going into the swimming pool.

When we focus on a clear goal, our mind automatically starts looking for ways to get there. Make that goal a positive one that energizes you.

Influence your mood – enjoy life more

May 14, 2010 · by Bob Faw

Choose to feel more joy - influence it

Feel better more of the time. Influence yourself with imagery.

The images we have in our minds directly influence what neurochemicals (hormones) are released into our body. This is scientifically proven. When we have images of fearful things in our minds it triggers the release neurochemicals that literally make us feel bad. When we have images of good things it triggers the release of neurochemicals that make us feel good. If we’re in danger, the fear responses are helpful. If we’re not, they’re unnecessary stress and to be honest, a real downer.

I use images of past successes, of soothing nature, of great relationships to influence my mood. What do you use?

Improvisational Leadership – the “yes and” approach

May 8, 2010 · by Bob Faw

Yes and…

The art of accepting reality and building upon and adapting to it… rather than fighting, denying or complaining about it.

What changes are happening in your life that are out of your control? What would be better for you to accept and adapt to quickly? What areas would you be more successful in if you were even better at accepting and improvising a positive response.

When we disagree with someone’s idea, approach, beliefs we often respond negatively. Sometimes that’s helpful, usually it’s not. If we can affirm (yes) to what we DO like and then build (and) in a mutually beneficial direction we build motivation and openness.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of presenting “Improvisational Leadership” one of my favorite trainings. “yes and” is the capstone of the training. Every time I talk about it I feel my own skills improve as well. It’s one of the joys of teaching what you love.

Soon I plan to start posting video clips of these concepts in action or being taught. I hope that helps make much more sense of it all.

I’d be delighted to receive examples from readers about where you use “yes and” to influence your world more positively.

Best DNA: Be more of the best of who you are

May 6, 2010 · by Bob Faw

We can’t actually be anything we want. I’ll never be an astronaut because I get dizzy and claustrophobic. Instead I’ll put my energy into being the best of who I am. It feels completely natural and exciting for me to stand in front crowds of people helping them learn, making them laugh, helping them connecting to each other in positive ways. I love who I am in that moment — I love being me. So I “amp up” these qualities of mine and be the best of who I am whenever I can. It makes life so much richer.

Each of us have native strengths and passions that when we use them fully make us feel wonderfully alive. When we find the strengths and passions that also help us make a living we are on a path of fulfillment, achievement and increasing power.

1) What are your strengths and passions?

2) What do you do that makes you feel fully alive?

3) How can you “amp up” those strengths in your life to be even more fulfilled, successful and vibrant?

4) What are people willing to reward you for doing?

Find out what lies at the intersection of all three of these areas. That’s your Best DNA for work, or for volunteer work, or whatever area you want the rewards in.

How would you answer these questions for your employees … spouse … children?

If you want help answering the strengths questions, the book “Go Put Your Strengths to Work” and other works by Marcus Buckingham can be very helpful. (note: The author has absolutely no connection to Buckingham, only respect for his work.)

Later in 2012 Matchbox Group (matchboxgroup.com) will be putting out a self-assessment process for discovering your own Best DNA, along with tips on what to do to enhance that and make your life more successful and fulfilling.

Relax… Recharge… Refocus…

May 2, 2010 · by Bob Faw

photo by bob faw

What helps YOU create “R Responses” in yourself?

Our brains are highly influenced by what we see. The images effect what biochemicals are put into our system. Even our mental images have this effect.

When stressed out, distracted, confused, anxious or angry we can CHOOSE to focus on something that creates an “R Response”. An image like this sunset can induce dopamine and endorphins to flow in us. Equally important, it can soothe our brain so that the “stress hormone” cortisol is no longer produced.

Then we’re able to relax… our bodies can now recharge… and our minds are able to refocus…

Refocus on what we WANT, rather than what we fear. Refocus on influencing positive results, rather than reacting and worsening the situation.

What do you do to create R Responses in yourself? I’d love to hear from you!

(FYI: If you liked this photo click here to see my “Soothing Photos” album)

Energize Performance

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Improvisational Leadership – positive influence for everything

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Priming: Focusing on a clear goal guides positive behaviors

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Influence your mood – enjoy life more

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Improvisational Leadership – the “yes and” approach

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Best DNA: Be more of the best of who you are

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Relax… Recharge… Refocus…

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