| -By Development Network- Meetings are often considered the bane of employees' existence. Among the most common complaints: being forced to attend a meeting that has little or no value. Through a more optimistic lens, however, meetings that are properly planned and executed can actually offer development opportunities for some employees. Here are some tips to use meetings as a development tool. 1. Assign a different staff employee to put together the agenda for each staff meeting. This will require the person to gather information on reports to be made and issues to be discussed. It will also require the assigned employee to discuss priorities with the manager and allot time to each agenda item. Development potential: It gives that employee a broader perspective of the work of others; it helps further develop business acumen; and it adds meeting management competencies. 2. Assign a staff member to bring in and lead a learning activity. This might be in the form of discussing a recent problem, circulating an article of interest (and the leading a discussion of it), suggesting a change in how the group does its work, or bringing in information on a competitor's product or service. Development potential: Leading a discussion; listening skills; presentation skills; learning other perspectives and receiving feedback. 3. Rotate responsibility for facilitating each staff meeting among staff members. Development potential: Listening skills; meeting management skills; facilitation skills and conflict management skills. 4. Brainstorm the solution to a problem, challenge or opportunity. Managers can opt to announce the topic during the meeting or inform employees of the topic ahead of time so they can think about alternatives before the brainstorming session. Development potential: Brainstorming skills; listening skills; influencing skills; developing synergy among staff members; critical and creative thinking skills. 5. Invite a guest speaker. This could be a customer or a supplier who can address how the two groups can work together more easily and effectively. Development potential: Listening skills; critical and creative thinking skills; and problem analysis skills. 6. Notice who dominates discussions and who participates little, if at all. This can help introverts to participate more and extroverts to limit their input. Not only will this result in more equal participation, but it will also model meeting management and facilitation skills for employees. Development potential: Meeting management skills; facilitation skills and leadership skills. 7. Be open to new ideas. When a staff member suggests a change in how the group handles a procedure or process, and it's something that won't work or varies from what's in place, don't just reject it out of hand, but ask probing questions to help the employee develop the idea. It may be that a discussion of the idea may spark others to suggest improvements that will work. Development potential: Facilitation skills; critical and creative thinking skills; and conflict management skills. 8. Be creative. Instead of following the usual agenda, take employees on a field trip to spark their thinking and creativity. This must be followed up, however, with discussions of what everyone saw and how to use new and different ideas and methods to improve the company's operations. Development potential: Creative and critical thinking skills. 9. Help employees see the larger context of their work. Too often, employees are so focused on their own tasks that they lose sight of the larger context. By demonstrating how their work contributes to larger organizational goals, employees develop a more nuanced understanding of the business. Development potential: Business acumen and taking pride in one's work. [About the Author: Daniel R. Tobin is a consultant, author, and speaker on corporate learning strategies and author of seven books, including Learn Your Way to Success]. -For more Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
Development Network - Articles and Information (http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Use Meetings for Employee Development
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Keys to Driving Culture Change
| -By Development Network- An organization's culture has proven potent in driving employee engagement, productivity and, some might argue, general happiness. In theory, firms with more positive and inclusive corporate cultures perform better than those that don't - and have the financial results to prove it. Talent Management spoke with Dan Denison, author of Leading Culture Change in Global Organizations: Aligning Culture and Strategy and professor of management at Swiss-based business school International Institute for Management Development (IMD), about the role HR plays in driving culture change. The following are edited excerpts from the interview. 1. What's the biggest culture problem firms face today? I think the biggest problem is just the ferocious global competition and the need for short-term survival. It's hard to plan a vision until you're clear how you're going to survive short term, and it's important for building a culture because the steps that we take to survive a crisis are always the lessons that stick, the lessons that are the strongest ones over time. And so you can't say, 'Well, we're going to do this and that and fight hard to survive, and then when we survive we're going to take a deep breath and step back when we've got some resources and we'll build a culture for the long term.' A culture is the collection of lessons that a company learns as they survive together as a team, as a tribe, as an organization. And I think that's the biggest problem: you have to solve short-term problems every day with an eye on the future, because that's the way that those lessons really stick. 2. What are the most important lessons for leaders to drive culture change? The one thing that comes out of the book is a focus on rituals, habits and routines. There's a lot written on corporate culture about what you can see on the surface, and the values and what you can't see. ... Every little habit that we have has its visible parts, has its values that underlie it and has the parts that we've stopped thinking about and are just instinctive. The main lesson that you learn from this is that organizations , like people, are creatures of habit, and the change process is always a dilemma, because you can't dig up all of the habits and change everything at the same time. You have to be very strategic about that and you have to understand what the points of leverage are. But I think the key point that you want to emphasize is that organizations are complex bundles of habits and routines that have developed over time, and when you start to try to sort out those habits and routines it gets pretty challenging. You can't make the change on a superficial way; you can't write the new corporate values and annual report and expect it to stick. You have to unravel and recreate the new ones. 3. What role does HR or talent management play in shaping organizational culture? It plays a big role because HR policies touch everyone in the organization. They're one of the clearest expressions of the value that an organization puts on its people. In a lot of ways, culture of an organization is the way that you establish the brand of the organization in the talent market. HR puts those principles, those values, into practice in the labor market every day, so they have a huge strategic role in shaping it. I think the other thing that's important is to understand both how good that can be and how bad that can be.We work with organizations where their HR leadership and their team are the most principled, visionary, business-savvy people in the organization that are constantly stewards of the organization's culture because they understand how it's important to compete in the labor market and in the business. On the other end, we see talent and HR organizations that are totally consumed by just kind of getting the right people in the right jobs and trying to stay ahead of that responding to the direction they're given by their leaders and haven't risen much beyond a pretty administrative approach on the job. And that's such a big factor when organizations are trying to change - because you really can't change the system without changing the mindset of the people. 4. How has the notion of ''corporate culture'' evolved over time? Where does it stand today? It's a concept that's been around for a long time, at least 50 to 75 years. Great leaders for thousands of years have been driven by principles and purpose. In management literature what you see is that it's been pretty prominent since the early 1980s, with American industry struggling to compete, and authors Tom Peters and Bob Waterman [were] probably the best known ones that said it really has a lot to do with the mindset and the systems that we create with the viability of the habits that organizations have developed over time for a future business environment that's got to be different. ... It's easier said than done, for sure. But the thing that you've seen in the last 10 years is just how mainstream the topics [have] become. It's a serious component to any leader's portfolio. Leading with culture as a principle and understanding that the biggest legacy a leader leaves is the organization and the capacity of its people to work together - you see that becoming more and more mainstream. 5. What is the first step a leader can take to ignite a culture change? I think the first step is [having] awareness of the gap between the current way of operating and an ideal future. And understanding and articulating that gap in real specific terms and becoming sort of the teacher of why that difference is critically important to the performance of the business. I'll give you an example. I worked with a number of companies these last few years that are trying to make the transition from being a product company to being a service company. And that vision of a CEO standing up and saying, 'Guys, we love the service people, we love the product people, we love the technology, we love the customers. But unless we put all of those pieces of the puzzle together, we're never really going to win this game.' That's a mindset change. It's not about being either a product guy or a service guy. It's about people seeing the complex interplay between those. That's quite difficult to manage, but understanding that complexity - and learning how to do it well - that's the path of the future. [About the Author: Frank Kalman is an associate editor at Talent Management magazine.] -For more articles and information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Guilt Is Good
| -By Development Network- The more guilt you feel, the better friend, co-worker and boss you just might be. Researchers Taya Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University and A. T. Panter of the University of North Carolina examined people's predisposition to feelings of guilt and how it influences their behavior in the workplace in a recent article in academic journal ''Current Directions in Psychological Science.'' Their conclusion: People more prone to feelings of guilt are more likely to be sympathetic, able to see situations from others' perspectives, consider future consequences of their behavior and value moral traits. ''There's quite a bit of variability between people who, when faced with tempting situations, are likely to yield to temptation and do things that are ethically questionable and people [who] are better able to resist those temptations and act more ethically,'' said Cohen, an assistant professor of organizational behavior and theory. People who are subject to high levels of guilt proneness - the predisposition to feel bad about a negative personal behavior before they actually do it - are less likely to engage in bad bad or counterproductive behavior, such as showing up late for work, stealing office supplies and being rude to clients and customers, even when no one is monitoring them, Cohen said. Measuring Guilt Proneness Researchers measure workers' proneness to feelings of guilt using the 16-item Guilt and Shame Proneness (GASP) scale which asks participants to rate their feelings in an imaginary situation on a seven-point scale. Assessment items include questions such as: After realizing you received too much change at the store, you decide to keep it because the sales clerk doesn't notice. What's the likelihood you would feel uncomfortable about keeping the money? ''The idea is that there is a private situation where you've done something wrong - in this case, keeping too much change - and [to rate] how bad you feel about what you did,'' Cohen said. The researchers found that 39 percent of adults surveyed rated low in guilt proneness, 27 percent had medium guilt proneness scores and 34 percent had high levels of guilt proneness. ''The people that we'd categorize as low are much more likely to perform these counterproductive work behaviors - these are things that harm the organization - whereas people that are high are much less likely compared to average,'' Cohen said. The research also showed that women are more guilt prone than men and guilt proneness increases as people get older. ''As people get older they recognize often the consequences of their own behavior for themselves and towards other people,'' Cohen said. ''Guilt is related to consideration of others - things like empathy or perspective taking. People who are more likely to consider other people and consider the future consequences of their actions are more likely to be guilt prone.'' Guilt at Work Cohen is now conducting research to validate the use of GASP in high-stakes situations in the workplace, such as hiring and promotion, and hopes to be able to show similar conclusions about work behavior. People who are predisposed to feel guilt are less likely to make unethical business decisions, lie for monetary gain or cheat during negotiations, said Cohen. Being able to assess and identify a worker's level of guilt proneness can have real benefits for the organization not just in selection and hiring but also in ongoing development and career growth. ''It's really important to recognize at the end you have to live with yourself and your own decisions,'' Cohen said. ''You should be aware that if you are feeling uncomfortable about a particular decision and might feel guilty about it later, it's important to recognize those feelings and see whether that might change your decision making.'' [About the Author: Mike Prokopeak is the editorial director at Talent Management magazine.] -For More Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A review of the 5th World Forum Convergences 2015
-By Development Network-
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-For more Articles and Information: Saturday, October 13, 2012
Tips For Becoming A Successful Entrepreneur
-By Development Network- Becoming an entrepreneur is something that a lot of people dream about. After all, these are the people who you hear about in the news making tons of money, and living the good life. Of course, not all entrepreneurs are rich, but it can be quite fun to live this kind of life. But before you decide that being an entrepreneur is right for you, there are some things that you will need to take a closer look at. Remember, if being a successful entrepreneur was a piece of cake everybody would be doing it. This is not to say that you have no chance of entrepreneurial success, but you cannot simply jump into this and expect to start raking in loads of cash. -For more Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The Pursuit of Craft
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
How to Regain Employee Trust
| -By Development Network- Perhaps the biggest loss from the recent economic crisis was that of trust in business leadership. Publicly, the leaders of the country's largest banks were cast as criminals. Inside many corporations, employee engagement levels decreased as layoffs wreaked havoc on morale, and trust in managers sank to all-time lows. Some employee angst remains. According to a recent poll by Maritz Research, an employee satisfaction firm, just 10 percent of employees trust managers to make the right decision in times of uncertainty. What's more, only 12 percent of employees in the poll said they believe their manager genuinely listens to and cares about them. All is not lost, however. According to George Kohlrieser, a professor of leadership at business school IMD in Switzerland, there is a leadership model fit to promote and reignite trust in business. His book, Care to Dare: Unleashing Astonishing Potential Through Secure Base Leadership, aims to steer leaders to become a ''secure base'' for their employees so they feel more engaged and comfortable to stretch their limits in their work. ''A secure base leader is someone who creates the environment of trust [where] that fundamental interest, that fundamental caring, transparency and honesty creates the possibility of the [employee] then to take risk, to push their edge of talent development, to do what needs to be done outside the box and explore [to] their potential,'' Kohlrieser said. The human brain is hard-wired for survival, which means that employees tend to sway toward what's safe. Like many organizations, this survival instinct has had employees - and the organizations they work for - playing not to lose instead of playing to win, he said. Secure base leadership seeks to provide employees with a sense of safety to take risk, so they feel like they're working in an environment where it's OK to make mistakes, stretch limits and take control of their own professional learning and development, according to Kohlrieser. Such emphasis on personal trust and humanity that the model is built on has grown even more vital as innovation and collaboration in firms have become valuable building blocks to success, said Rose Gailey, a consultant with Chicago-based leadership development firm Gagen MacDonald. CLOs should not only aim to develop secure base leaders, but they should also work to embody the characteristics of one as they, too, work to become more advanced executives within organizations. Kohlrieser said secure base leaders have the following characteristics: 1. Stays calm: They remain composed and dependable, especially in high-pressure situations. ''You cannot [have] a caring environment if people are explosive,'' Kohlrieser said. 2. Accepts the individual: They often accept the basic human worth of all people beyond their role as employees. ''A secure base leader is able to deliver pain and then [have the employee] say thank you,'' he said, meaning secure base leaders should feel comfortable giving tough love. 3. Sees the potential: Leaders must see employees' potential talents as well as their current functioning ability. Secure base leaders don't focus on short-term potential but are often looking at growth over a 10-20 year period. 4. Uses listening and inquiry: Secure base leaders ask open-ended and constructive questions, rather than talk and dictate instructions. Deep dialogue is one of the most powerful tools. ''When you have a good teacher, a good leader, they're always looking for talent. They're always looking for what's best for the individual,'' he said. 5. Delivers a powerful message: Great leaders don't necessarily ramble on in a long speech; instead, they have the ability to cut to the chase and say the right thing at the right time. ''We train secure base leaders to say what they have to say in one sentence,'' Kohlrieser said. ''Then to say what they have to say in four sentences.'' 6. Focuses on the positives: They help others focus on the positive and see their potential for learning, even when things may not be going well. 7. Encourages risk taking: ''If you're a leader, you put [employees] in situations where they can stretch themselves,'' Kohlrieser said. Actively dare people to unleash their potential by providing tangible opportunities for risk taking. 8. Inspires through intrinsic motivation: They don't motivate with money. Their followers act because they find their work engaging - not because of external pressures or rewards. ''The chief learning officer has to build into the environment the intrinsic values that people have,'' Kohlrieser said. '' That means every leader must know what motivates someone.'' 9. Signals accessibility: They are always accessible and available, instead of being too detached or busy. They don't necessarily have to be available at all hours of the day, however; being supportive has more to do with a sense of the person and of the relationship rather than the actual amount of time spent together. [About the Author: Frank Kalman is an associate editor at Chief Learning Officer magazine.] -For more Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
Sunday, September 9, 2012
10 Qualities of a Complete Winner
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-By Development Network -
1. Positive Self-Expectancy
Always expect success - embrace the challenge
2. Positive Self-Motivation
Go after the rewards of success, not away from the penalties of failure
3. Positive Self-Image
If you can see it, you can do it
4. Positive Self-Direction
Ink what you think--write down your goals. Strive to be better today then
you were yesterday.
5. Positive Self-Control
Winners make things happen - losers let things happen to them. Trust
yourself and your preparation.
6. Positive Self-Discipline
Practice winning every single day. Be mentally tough - deal with the
situation.
7. Positive Self-Esteem
Single most important human quality - feel good about being you. Always
respond with a positive reply.
8. Positive Self-Dimension
Little successes lead to victories. Live in the 'Precious Present' - It's the
only moment in which you have control.
9. Positive Self-Awareness
See your unlimited potential. Force yourself to push the envelope.
10. Positive Self-Commitment
Measure success against self. Don't get caught up with competing against others. Commit to Excellence
- Adapted from D. Scott Ward, Ph.D.
-For more Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/
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Thursday, August 23, 2012
17 Extraordinary Human Capacities
-By Development Network-
People have a tremendous capacity for outstanding
achievement. There are also many extraordinary capacities that allow them to
become high achievers.
Here are seventeen extraordinary capacities that make human
beings remarkable. When we recognize and use these capacities, the quality of
our lives can become more joyful than ever before.
1. Helping someone in their time of tragedy or need shows
the capacity for human goodness.
2. Listening closely to another words and experience shows
the capacity for soulful communication.
3. Understanding the pain, sorrow, or loss of another person
shows the capacity for empathy.
4. Believing the best about others, and offering time,
support, and friendship shows the capacity for trust.
5. Apologizing for a past mistake shows the capacity for
strong character and trustworthiness.
6. Forgiving the errors of a fellow human being shows the
capacity to receive forgiveness.
7. Supporting the truth, even when it is unpopular, shows
the capacity for honesty and integrity.
8. Compromising when it is best for the welfare of others
shows the capacity for teamwork.
9. Giving time and effort to assist others to be successful
shows the capacity for sincerity.
10. Being curious about life, its people and its mysteries,
shows the capacity for learning.
11. Praying for the welfare of family, friends, and all of
humanity shows the capacity for love.
12. Waiting for God's answer to a prayer shows the capacity
for faith and patience.
13. Accepting the answer to a prayer, whatever it might be,
discovering its blessings, and then moving on shows the capacity for gratitude.
14. Believing in a God-given purpose throughout long and
difficult seasons of scarcity shows the capacity for determination and hope.
15. Taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from all
experiences show the capacity for being human.
16. Getting up after having fallen down or suffered failure
shows the capacity for resolve.
17. Persisting resolutely to navigate life's rapids, scale
its mountains, move beyond its perceived limitations, and arrive at its finish
line with faith and dignity shows the capacity for achievement.
When we use our mental and spiritual capacities, our lives
will be filled with more love, contentment, and achievement than we can
imagine. When we cultivate a deep faith in a Power greater than ourselves, we
never have to travel life's journey alone. There will be powerful sources of
wisdom and guidance walking with us every step of the way.
-For more articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
70 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power
| -By Development Network- You Want More Brainpower - Not Higher IQ Scores! Okay, maybe you want higher IQ scores too. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Intelligence Quotient as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100." Basically, it's a test of intelligence, with 100 as the average score. There are some problems with IQ tests however. A recent IQ test asked which of four fruits was different. It was the one with more than one seed; but what if you were not familiar with these fruits? Obviously this test is culturally biased. You are assumed to have certain knowledge, yet you are being tested for intelligence, not knowledge. Now look at these letters: "ANLDEGN." Rearrange them and you'll have the name of a(n): Ocean, Country, State, City or Animal. This is from an IQ test I took. Hmm... There are very few oceans, so I could eliminate those - but wait a second! That's a test taking technique. An intelligence test shouldn't be testing your test-taking ability. I'm bound to score higher than a person of equal intelligence who hasn't learned simple techniques for scoring higher on multiple - choice tests. You Want More Brainpower - Not Higher IQ Scores! You may also want to consider using this memory improvement software. Real Life Results Versus Scores Now let me ask you a question. What was Henry Fords IQ? Who cares! The man was one of the most innovative people of the last century, and he did what he did by surrounding himself with intelligent people. That practice alone has to be worth more than 20 IQ points in terms of real life results. Real life results are what you want, right? So if you want to be more creative, learn to use creative problem solving techniques. If you want to concentrate better, there are techniques for that. Learn to speed-read and you'll have double the knowledge in the same time. After you paint your first Mona Lisa, build your first skyscraper or make your first million, what will your IQ score be? Who cares!? Okay, an imperfect test is better than no test at all, and it is entertaining. I just took an IQ test, and although I don't think my IQ is really the 138 it showed, it was fun. If you really want to, you can try a free IQ test on my website http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com. Of course you'll score higher on a good day than a bad day, so try these tips to make it a good IQ test day: 70 Ways to Better Brainpower - (In no particular order.) 1. Breath deep. More air in means more oxygen in the blood and therefore in the brain. Breath through your nose and you'll notice that you use your diaphragm more, drawing air deeper into your lungs. Several deep breaths can also help to relax you, which is conducive to clearer thinking. 2. Meditate. A simple meditation you can do right now is just closing your eyes and paying attention to your breath. Tensing up your muscles and then relaxing them to start may help. When your mind wanders, just bring your attention back to your breath. Five or ten minutes of this will usually relax you, clear your mind, and leave you more ready for any mental task. 3. Sit up straight. Posture affects your thinking process. Prove it to yourself by doing math in your head while slouching, looking at the floor and letting your mouth hang open. Then do the mental math while sitting up straight, keeping your mouth closed and looking forward or slightly upwards. You'll notice that it's easier to think with the latter posture. 4. Phosphotidyl Serine (PS). This supplement has been shown in clinical studies to increase lucidity and rate of learning. It activates cell-to-cell communication, helps regulate cell growth, improves the functioning of the special receptors found on cells, and prepares cells for activity. In other words, it can help your brain power. It's also thought to reverse memory decline. Phosphatidylserine has no known adverse side effects. 5.Vinpocetine. This extract, derived from an alkaloid found in the Periwinkle plant, is used as a cerebral vasodilator. It increases blood flow to the brain, which improves its oxygenation and thereby increases mental alertness and acuity. Research suggests it may also be the most powerful memory enhancer available to date. 6. Gingko Biloba. The leaves of this tree have been proven to increase blood flow to the brain. The trees are often planted in parks. My friends and I used to eat a few leaves when we wanted a brain boost. It is also inexpensive, if you buy the capsules or tea at any health food store. 7. Saint John's Wort. This is a common weed that may be growing in your yard. Although it's brain enhancing qualities are less documented (studies do show it's usefulness for treating long-term depression), many people swear by it's temporary mood-elevating effect, and our brains tend to function better when we are happy. It is inexpensive, but I used to just collect it in the yard and make tea of it. (Hyperacum Perforatum, if you want to look it up by it's botanical name.) 8. Good thinking habits. Just use a problem solving technique for several weeks and it will become a habit. Redesign everything you see for a while, and that will become a habit. You can develop many good thinking habits with some effort, and then be more resourceful effortlessly from that point on. Use the power of habit. 9. Use dead time. This is time that is otherwise wasted or just under-utilized. Driving time, time spent in waiting rooms, or even time spent raking your yard can be included in this. With a tape player and a trip to a public library, you can start to use this time to listen to books-on-tape. You may spend 200 hours a year in your car. What could you learn in that time? 10. Learn a language. Learning a new language has been shown to halt the age-related decline in brain function. It also introduces your mind to new concepts and new ways of looking at things (in English we are afraid, whereas in Spanish we have fear). It is one of the best brain exercises. 11. Rosemary. This common herb may have an effect on the brain when the scent is inhaled. We are waiting for the research, but some people swear that just sniffing rosemary wakes up their brain. It seems safe, so if you have rosemary in your spice rack, give it a try. 12. Mindfulness exercises. Concentration and clear thinking are more or less automatic once you remove distractions. Learn to stop and watch your busy mind. As you notice things that are subtly bothering you, deal with them. This might mean making a phone call you need to make, or putting things on a list so you can forget them for now. With practice, this becomes easier, and your thinking becomes more powerful. 13. Write. Writing is good for your mind in a number of ways. It is a way to tell your memory what is important, so you'll recall things more easily in the future. It is a way to clarify your thinking. It is a way to exercise your creativity and analytical ability. Diaries, idea-journals, poetry, note-taking and story-writing are all ways to use writing to boost your brain power. 14. Listen to Mozart. In a study at the University of California, researchers found that children who studied piano and sang daily in chorus, were much better at solving puzzles, and when tested, scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the non-musical group. In another study, 36 students were given three spatial reasoning tests on a standard IQ test. Just before the first test, they listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes. Before the second test, they listened to a relaxation tape. Before the third, they sat in silence. The average scores for all 36 students: 1st test: 119. 2nd test: 111. 3rd test: 110. A nine-point boost from Mozart! 15. Develop your intuition. Intuition can be an important part of brainpower. Einstein and others have relied heavily on their intuitive hunches. See Chapter 25 for tips on how to develop your intuition. 16. Avoid foods that cause subtle allergies. These can include wheat, corn, peanuts and dairy products. Watch yourself to see if you have a problem with any of these. They cause digestive problems and brain fog in some people. 17. Sleep better. As long as you get a certain amount of sleep - probably a minimum of five hours - the quality seems to be more important than the quantity. Also, short naps in the afternoon seem to work well to recharge the brain for some people. 18. Caffeine. The research shows higher test scores for students who drink coffee before major exams. My chess game gets better. In other studies, it has been shown that too much caffeine leads to poorer quality decisions. Caffeine affects individuals differently, and has some nasty long-term side effects for some of us, but short-term - it works! 19. Avoid sugar. Any simple carbohydrates can give you "brain fog." Sometimes called the "sugar blues" as well, this sluggish feeling makes it hard to think clearly. It results from the insulin rushing into the bloodstream to counteract the sugar rush. Avoid pasta, sugars, white bread and potato chips before any important mental tasks. 20. Hypnosis audios. The power of suggestion is real, and one way to use it is with hypnosis tapes, CD's or downloads. This type of brain "programing" has more evidence for it than subliminals. 21. Speed reading. Contrary to what many believe, your comprehension of material often goes up when you learn to speed-read. You get to learn a lot more in less time, and it is definitely a good brain exercise. 22. Exercise. Long term exercise can boost brainpower, which isn't surprising. Anything that affects physical health in a positive way probably helps the brain too. Recent research, though, shows that cognitive function is improved immediately after just ten minutes of aerobic exercise. If you need a brain recharge, you might want to walk up and down the stairs a few times. 23. Imaginary friends. Talking to and getting advice from characters in your mind can be a great way to access the information in your subconscious mind. Imagine a conversation with a person who has a lot of knowledge in the area you want advice in. 24. Develop your creativity. Creativity gives power to your thinking. Raw computation can be done by computers now, but humans provide the creative thought that shapes our world. See Chapter 24 for tips on developing your creativity. 25. Learn more efficiently. When you decide to learn something, take notes from the start. Leave each "learning session" with a question or two in mind, to create anticipation and curiosity. Take short breaks, so there will be more beginnings and endings to your studies (Things learned at the beginning or ending of a class or session are remembered better). 26. Use techniques for clear thinking. Cluttered rooms and offices can contribute to cluttered thinking. Organize a space for mental work. Sigh, stretch, and take a deep breath before you start on a tough mental job. Plan some distraction-free time for brainstorming. 27. Brain wave entrainment. The newest brain wave entrainment products are powerful tools for altering your brain function. Some will almost immediately relax you, while others will put your brain waves in a pattern that is most conducive to analytical thinking. A Book of Secrets How To Read Minds, Save Money, Boost Brainpower, Get Lucky, See The Real News, Find Treasure, Subliminally Persuade People, Buy Real Estate With No Money Down - And That's Just The Beginning! Learn more here... 28. Creatine. This is a compound found in meat, used by athletes to help build muscle. Now the evidence is here to show that it helps your brain as well. Proceedings B , a journal published by the Royal Society reports that the research showed improvement in working memory and general intelligence resulting from creatine supplementation. The dose used in the study was 5 grams per day. This is about the level used to boost sports performance, and is as much as you'd normally get in four pounds of meat, according to lead researcher Dr. Caroline Rae. 29. Talk. Talking is only good for the brain if you are actually exercising it, of course. Try explaining something that you don't understand very well to a friend, though, and you'll notice that the process of explaining will help you clarify your understanding. 30. Do something you enjoy. This is a way to both lower stress and rev up your brain. The key is to do something active. Watching TV doesn't count. Whether it is playing Scrabble or building birdhouses, when you are actively engaged in an activity that you enjoy, you worry less about things and you start to think better. 31. Adjust your beliefs. Believe you are smarter, and you'll become smarter. For this, affirmations may work, but even better is evidence. Make a note of your successes. Tell yourself, "Hey, that was really creative," when you do something creative. When you have a good idea, make a note of it. Gather the evidence for your own intelligence and you'll start to experience more of it. 32. Brain exercises. Do math in your mind while driving. Think of a new use for everything you see. Regular use of the brain has been shown to generate new neuronal growth, and even halt the decline of mental function that often comes with age. 33. Learn new things. This is another way to exercise the brain. It can also be done with little time investment if you use books-on-tapes while driving. 34. Walk. Exercise has been shown to benefit the brain, and walking is one of the best exercises for many. It is low impact, and the rhythmic nature of it seems to put you in a state that is very conducive to clear thinking. In fact, carry a tape recorder with you to take notes, and a twenty minute walk can be a great way to solve problems. 35. Model others. Find others that are creative, intelligent, or very productive. Do what they do, and think what they think. This is a key principle of neuro-linguistic programming. Be careful about taking their advice, though. Successful people often don't really understand why they are successful. Do what they do, not what they say. 36. Eat fish. Eating fish actually speeds up brain waves, and improves concentration. Researchers have also found an almost perfect correlation between intake of fish and lowered levels of depression in the various countries of the world. The U.S. has 24 times the incidence of depression as Japan, for example, where fish intake is much higher. 37. Avoid unnecessary arguments. When you defend a position too vigorously, especially when it is just to "win" the argument, you invest our ego into it. This is not conducive to the easy acceptance and use of new information. In other words, you put your mind in a rut, and you dig it deeper with each argument. Debate can be a valuable thing, but when the ego takes over, the mind closes a little. This is not a recipe for better thinking. 38. Laugh. The release of endorphins caused by laughter lowers stress levels, which is good for long term brain health. Laughter also tends to leave you more open to new ideas and thoughts. 39. Play. Stimulating the brain causes measurable changes in the structure of the brain. New connections are made and new brain cells are grown. Intellectual play, as well as any playing that involves hand-eye coordination stimulates the brain. 40. Do puzzles. Crossword puzzles, lateral thinking puzzles, and even good riddles are a great way to get brain exercise. You can work on them while waiting for a dentist appointment, or on the bus, if you are short on time. 41. Sing. When you are alone in your car, try singing about something you are working on. This taps into and exercises your right brain. Have you ever noticed how it is easier to rhyme when you sing than when you just speak or write? This is because the right brain is better at pattern recognition. By doing this brain exercise regularly you can train yourself to tap into the power of the right brain. This will make you a more effective problem-solver. If you doubt the distinction between the hemispheres of the brain, look at how stutterers can stop stuttering as soon as they start singing. Try it. 42. Nuts. University students in Brazil and other South American countries often eat several Brazil nuts before an exam, believing they are good for their mental power. The evidence is starting to confirm this. Other nuts that have minerals and amino acids that are beneficial to the brain include almonds and walnuts. 43. Olive oil. High in mono-unsaturated fat, olive oil has been shown to improve memory. A cheaper alternative is canola oil, but this hasn't been studied much yet. 44. Vitamin supplements. In studies, children scored higher on tests when on a regimen of daily vitamin supplements. "Experts" will tell you that if you eat a balanced diet, you don't need supplements, which, given the culture here, is really just a sales pitch for vitamins, isn't it? Who eats a perfectly balanced diet? 45. Fiber. It isn't just what goes in, but what comes out that is important to brain function. Toxic build-up in the body and brain can cause "brain fog." People often report clearer thinking as one of the benefits of curing their constipation. 46. Self awareness. This may not seem important to brain power, but it is. When you know yourself better, you can avoid the usual effects of ego and emotion in your seemingly "rational" thinking. Or you can at least take it into account. Watch yourself, especially as you explain things or argue. 47. Motivate yourself. Motivation is as important to mental tasks as it is to any other. Learn a few simple techniques for self motivation. You can start with those in Chapter 8. 48. Avoid too much stress. Neuropsychiastrist Richard Restak, M.D., form the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services, sums up the research thus: "Stress causes brain damage." Long term stress has repeated been shown to hurt the brain, not to mention the rest of the body. Learn a few stress reduction techniques if you get stressed out often. 49. Get educated. Scientists have known for a while that the less educated get alzheimer's more frequently. Education in any area seems to make the brain stronger. 50. Avoid too much fat. In laboratory studies, animals consistently learn slower when they are on a diet high in fat. Type of fat may make a difference, so you may want to stick to using olive oil and other non-saturated fats. Saturated fats have been shown to actually stunt the growth of brain cells. 51. Eat less. Overeating has the immediate effect of redirecting more blood to the digestive process, leaving less for the brain. Long term, it can cause arterial obstructions that reduce blood flow to the brain permanently. In at least one study, rats on a restricted-calorie diet had more brainpower. 52. Avoid suspect foods. There is evidence that the following foods can be bad for your brain: Artificial food colorings, artificial sweeteners, colas, corn syrup, frostings, high-sugar drinks, hydrogenated fats, sugars, white bread, and any white-flour products. 53. Eat breakfast. When kids who didn't eat breakfast started to eat it, researchers found that their math scores went up a whole grade on average. 54. Avoid diabetes. The development of diabetes coincides with a dropping of IQ scores. In other words, if you want to maintain your brain power, follow your doctors dietary recommendations for preventing or treating diabetes. 55. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect all your cells, including brain cells. Some of the foods highest in antioxidants include: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, kale, cranberries, strawberries, spinach, and raspberries. In one test, rats had age-related mental decline reversed by eating the equivalent of a 1/2 cup of blueberries per day. 56. Drink wine. In moderation, red wine can be good for the brain, it seems. It is rich in antioxidants, which protect brain cells. One glass per day for women and two for men is usually considered a safe and moderate amount. 57. Use alcohol in moderation. In a study at the University of Indiana School of Medicine, elderly light drinkers (fewer than 4 drinks per week) scored higher on tests of thinking abilities than non-drinkers. Those who drank 10 or more drinks per week scored lower. It is known that alcohol can kill brain cells, so moderation seems to be the key. 58. Folic acid. According to one study, 200 micrograms of folic acid, the amount found in 3/4 cup of cooked spinach, alleviates depression and reverses memory loss. 59. Potential brain foods. Other foods that may be good for your brain include: Avocados, bananas, lean beef, brewer's yeast. broccoli, brown rice, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, cheese, chicken, collard greens, eggs, flaxseed oil, legumes, oatmeal, oranges, peanut butter, peas, potatoes, romaine lettuce, salmon, soybeans, spinach, tuna, turkey, wheat germ, and yogurt. 60. Vitamin E. Jean Carper, in researching her book, "Your Miracle Brain," found that many brain researchers are taking 400 I.U.s of vitamin E daily. It is an antioxidant, and reduces the clogging of blood vessels, including those going in the brain. 61. Vitamin C. Taken in the form of orange juice in a study at the Texas Women's University, vitamin C increased the IQ scores of children. 62. Selenium. 100 micrograms of selenium has been shown to be a mood-elevator. Your brain almost certainly functions better when you are in a better mood. Foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts and garlic. 63. Alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid (10 to 50 milligrams daily) improves memory and protects nerve cells. 64. Inositol. This is a safe and natural substance that is often grouped with the B-vitamins. It reduces stress and promotes clear thinking. It contributes to energy production, and so can "wake you up." Animal studies show a measurable increase in physical activity for up to five hours after taking it. 65. Huperzine A. This is a compound extracted from the Chinese club moss. Researchers both in Israel and the U.S. have used it to treat alzheimer's. It improves memory and learning an seems to be very safe. 66. Ask questions. This is a great way to keep your brain in shape. Just get in the habit of asking questions often, even if it is only in your own mind. Why are taller buildings better? what is the purpose of curbs? Ask anything that comes to mind, and ponder the possible answers. 67. Sniff basil. This another of the herbs that may be good for your brain. No studies yet, but many report a brain boost from smelling basil. 68. Temperature. Many people have noted that they think better at certain temperatures. In general, it seems that being slightly cool, but not uncomfortable, is most conducive to good thinking. Try experimenting on yourself to see what temperature works best for you. 69. Use systems. From the time I was ten years old, 12 x 49 was always (12 x 50) - 12. It's easier to figure in your head this way (588, by the way). I didn't get any credit for my personal algorithms then, but they are selling these shortcuts on late-night TV now, because they work. You can find your own easier ways to do mental math or other mental tasks, or read a good book on them. 70. Make a brainpower plan. It takes about twenty to thirty days of repetition to establish new habits, many psychologists will tell you. This means that when you create your plan for better brainpower, be sure you plan to use that new problem solving technique, or eat those new brain foods for at least three weeks. You can use many of the brain boosters here and get immediate results, but it is creating new habits that will give you the most brainpower. By Steve Gillman. Excerpt from Chapter 5 of A Book of Secrets For more Articles and Information: http://www.developmentnetwork.co.nr/ |
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