tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9456229151687915602024-02-20T21:13:47.050-08:00Mindful Business InstituteThe Mindful Business Institute is a school of Business, Management & Training. At the core of all MBI courses and programs is Mindfulness training, a practice of cultivating awareness, wisdom & well-being.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-18278530110078531112013-12-30T13:17:00.003-08:002013-12-30T13:17:26.694-08:00<div class="event-field">
<b>Intention Sets The Tone.</b><br />
Without Right Intention we miss the target. We stress over why some
things just don't work. Our intentions change from situation to
situation and we go off track. Having clarified an overarching intention
for various aspects of our lives help us get back on track quicker,
with more ease and self-compassion.<br />
<br />
On Sunday January 12, our teachers will guide us as we spend the day
to meditate, contemplate and clarify our overarching intentions in any
of all of these six areas of our lives:<br />
1. Social<br />
2. Physical<br />
3. Play<br />
4. Finance<br />
5. Community<br />
6. Career<br />
Join us to start the year with the Right Intention and tools to help you get yourself back to it when you veer off. <br />
</div>
<br />
For more information and to register click below:<br />
<a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/calendar/set-your-intention-2014-daylong-mindfulness-retreat">http://mindfulvalley.org/calendar/set-your-intention-2014-daylong-mindfulness-retreat</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-75718985873221615392013-10-23T00:21:00.001-07:002013-10-23T00:21:06.924-07:00About Mindful Business Institute and Dr. Manijeh Motaghy<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLgqC3yu1nQ" target="_blank">About Mindful Business Institute and Dr. Manijeh Motaghy</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-53864492196847743812013-10-02T14:45:00.002-07:002013-10-02T14:48:13.603-07:00Enhancing Quality of Life, All Around! <div>
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;"><b>Enhancing <br />Quality of Life,<br />All Around! </b>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;"><span class="ccFontUpdated" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><br />Have
you thought about what it would take to enhance every aspect of your
life from health & wellness to focus and relationships and even productivity? Brain experts such as <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/105915213058185650314" target="_blank">Daniel Siegel</a> tell us that mind can change the brain. Studies indicate
how much the quality of life changes when we make efforts to cultivate a
mind that is able to be in the moment without being in conflict with
the moment. Living this conventional life can delude us to believe
conventions set by mankind as the truth about life. Having to work, to
make deadlines, to perform obligations, to please others, to conform to
structure and on and on. These are conventions and not facts nor are
they good enough reasons for us to suffer.<br /><br />When we have
mindfulness and are mentally healthy there can be peace, joy and
stability of the heart and mind regardless of the circumstance. <br /><br />According to <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/105915213058185650314" target="_blank">Daniel Siegel</a> , the definition of metal health can be found in this acronym. <b>FACES:</b> Flexibility, Adaptiveness, Coherence, Energy (engagement) and Stability. This is a sign of a well integrated brain, which if</span><span class="ccFontUpdated" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"> you </span><span class="ccFontUpdated" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;">don't feel you quiet have, you can actually develop by practicing in <a href="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/" target="_blank">very specific and accessible ways</a>.<br /><br />Living with peace, joy and good health is truly worth making the effort.<br /><br />Manijeh </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-55543706647867386962012-05-10T14:44:00.002-07:002012-05-10T15:04:29.123-07:00How to Identify Change Makers in Your Organization & Leverage Their Talent:<span _mce_style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>How to Identify Change Makers in Your Organization & Leverage Their Talent:</b></span><br />
<div style="color: #351c75;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Do
you know who the change makers in your organization are? Take a minute
and see. Often these are lower-level supervisors and or mid-level
managers, not the top-level executives, VPs and other high positioned
leaders. Change is often generated and lead by those you might least
expect to make huge differences. </span></div>
<div style="color: #073763;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="color: #073763;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><img _mce_src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs092/1103654869896/img/34.jpg" _mce_style="text-align: left;" align="left" border="0" height="195" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.34" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs092/1103654869896/img/34.jpg" style="text-align: left;" vspace="5" width="159" />Last
week, I conducted a six hour Strengths Training session for yet another
Health Net department. Thanks to the input and generosity of one their
Supervisors, Diane Baxter, the training turned out to be most
effective. The rate of learning went beyond the VP's and even my own
expectations. Diane started the Strength Finder test and training for
herself and her staff less than two years ago. Due to her initiative
and passion for this very effective training, Health Net has trained
many department heads and team members and gained more effectiveness and
team cohesiveness. Diane leads a team of about 16 people and with her
busy schedule she offered to provide input to make my latest training for Health Net,
which was for a completely different department than hers, much more
focused and effective. To emphasize her strong belief in the Strengths
training, with excitement in her eyes, she said, "Manijeh if the training has
tangible results, it will take on like wild fire. All departments will
see that they would work so much more effectively together and will bring you in."</span></div>
<div style="color: #073763;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Hence, with her input, I made sure the results are measurable and tangible.</span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a _mce_href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/optimized-strengths-training-strengths-finder-20" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/optimized-strengths-training-strengths-finder-20" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0) ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">Read more about our Strengths Finder Training</a> </span></div>
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</div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span _mce_style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Here is How to Identify Change Makers in Your Organization & Leverage Their Talent:</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #073763; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK8MKHaf_tIiZgOw0tsQe4xlnHUD_wcCFziQYQul0LMjyxEZ5loRrUiki7NQOreQKWv1CvZK5S5Ff44cvD2zKjUR6Vg4nW8A3j9pNvHjIhMQfzPRS0-jqVIuTr8-Uh98Fd8tCDI5hpzg/s1600/reduced,+training+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK8MKHaf_tIiZgOw0tsQe4xlnHUD_wcCFziQYQul0LMjyxEZ5loRrUiki7NQOreQKWv1CvZK5S5Ff44cvD2zKjUR6Vg4nW8A3j9pNvHjIhMQfzPRS0-jqVIuTr8-Uh98Fd8tCDI5hpzg/s320/reduced,+training+room.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">The first step is identification. If you are a top level executive, take time to look below and across the chart. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">As teams and departments are tasked with deliverables and specific goals, they
also must come up with effective ways to achieve them. Many teams often find
ways to do it faster, better, with higher quality and least amount of
waste or stress. Unfortunately, many of these ways go undocumented and
unshared.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">(Don't tell, Ask)- Ask questions about what extra curricular
activities are going on in each department. What mid-level managers are
doing to motivate and engage their people to do better and reach their
goals. Bring a few of them in and ask what their secret to
success is. You may be surprised to find that the secrete to their success may be an
adjunct to what the organization prescribed.<br /> </span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">Evaluate if the kind of training or method they are using is duplicable, such as the Strength Finder training in Diane Baxter's case.<br /> </span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">Ask if they are willing to make themselves formal agents of change and
promote the implementation of their findings to other departments, like Diane has done. This may be done as formally or informally as possible. If you decide to announce the change and have the whole organization to implement it, have the person who tried it first and made it work to be the voice for it. For, she has proof and feels confident in the change.<br /> </span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;">And finally, if you are mid-level managers and supervisors, do make friends with
others at your level in other departments, even if you do not directly work with those departments. Find out what they are doing that makes their work higher quality, faster or creates Trust, Compassion, Hope and Stability for their team. According to Gallup findings Trust, Compassion, Hope and Stability are the top four needs followers <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">have from their leaders to fulfill. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Always, do your work with curiosity and openness.</span></b></span></div>
<div _mce_style="text-align: justify;" align="justify" style="color: #073763; text-align: justify;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dr. Manijeh Motaghy, PsyD. OMC </span></b></span></div>
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<div style="color: #073763;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #073763;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">For information on Strength Finder Training and other employee training contact us via:</span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #073763; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">email: </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com"><span style="font-family: Arial;">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</span></a></u></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #073763; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">or call us: (818) 835-3848</span></div>
<div style="color: #073763; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">For more information visit: </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">www.MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</span></a></u></span></span></div>
<span _mce_style="font-size: 11pt; color: #000090;" style="color: #000090; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-21101194968840110102011-12-01T10:01:00.001-08:002011-12-06T16:48:54.297-08:00Three Tips to Make Your Speech More Effective<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tips offered by <b>Carolyn Cousins-Goldman, </b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">Distinguished Toastmaster & District Governor</span></b>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Tip #1: Tell Stories!</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Stories can make an otherwise dull subject much
more interesting. Spoken from the speaker’s experience or that of
someone else, well told stories enhance any speech. Of course, this
does not mean just randomly telling tales. The stories need to make
points which you, as a speaker, want to convey to your audience.
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> There’s an “old saying” among speakers and
that is, “Tell a story, make a point. Tell another story, make
another point.” The mind makes a connection between a well told
story and the point of that story. Your audience will not only be
entertained, but will remember your speech and the points you want to
convey.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tip #2: Use Humor! </b></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Not only do we want our audiences to learn from us,
we also want our audiences to enjoy hearing us. Humor is a way to do
that. And you don’t even have to be a comedian, giving one liners.
A chuckle here and a chuckle there can make people want to come back
to your seminars.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Just like stores, humor can be used to make points.
And just like stories, your audience will remember your points and
come back for more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tip #3: Be Yourself!</b></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> When I first started speaking, I listened to other
speakers and admired their styles. I thought, “I want to be like
him! He’s so dynamic! I want to be like her! She’s so
intellectual!” I soon found out that trying to be someone else,
just as in everyday life, comes off as phony and not credible.
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Miscellaneous Points: </b></span><br />
<br />
<ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Why not just be yourself? Look within your own
personality and bring that to your audiences. People will come to
listen to you because you are real. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Credibility counts tremendously in public speaking.
Credibility is not just having the prestigious diploma or writing
the right books. Credibility is how real you are!
</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Author: Carolyn Cousins-Goldman, </b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">Distinguished Toastmaster & District Governor</span></b><br />
<a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/"></a><br />
<div style="color: blue;">
For more information on on Presentation skills and Mindfulness and Strength Finder training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a> or Write to us at: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></div>
<div style="color: blue;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b>For more information Mindfulness training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a>
</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-58936979069016632492011-11-19T19:24:00.001-08:002011-12-06T16:47:24.940-08:00Why do the Strengths Work the Way They Do?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why is it that I who have accomplished so much in life regardless of challenges, worked so hard at my dream and did actually accomplish it would not be recognized at an Achiever? The answer is if we become our Strengths fully and utilize them properly and move towards ever self-actualization then we all would be achievers. But the reason one might be identified an Achiever has nothing to do with their actual achievements. It has to do with the natural tendency one has towards a talent, which if practiced and exhibited constantly, then that talent becomes a Strength. It is in the way we experience our Strengths. The way we exhibit them. The way we constantly perform them with near perfect performance, that sets a Strength apart from another.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I did accomplish a Doctorate Degree and became a successful consultant and trainer but not because I was an Achiever. But because I trusted and practiced what I was naturally good at. This includes being a Relator, a Learner, an Inluder and a Command. And moving forward through all the life's difficulties and having faith that there must be a better system, a system that is functional and peaceful. That was due to my Connectedness Strength not an Achiever Strength. In fact, an Achiever is never satisfied. Always on the go, finish this and on to the next project. It will never end. Where as my accomplishment is enough for me and I don't have to achieve another thing as long as I live and I'll be happy. But the Learner in me keeps me going like an Achiever. The Learner makes me want to know more, to create more, and to pass it on to others which is the reason I still go on to achieve more. Again, the experience of achieving through Learner is different than the experience of achieving through the strength of Achiever. It is so fascinating how these Strengths work. It truly is.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/"></a><br />
For more information on Mindfulness & Strength Finder training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a> or Write to us at: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a><br />
For more information on Mindfulness training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-3466168343673930142011-11-15T11:04:00.001-08:002011-12-06T16:46:56.985-08:00Mindfulness in Leadership - Growth & Optimism<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bc1EKGSezIE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<h1 id="watch-headline-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Jon Kabat-Zinn: Growth and Optimism">Jon Kabat-Zinn:</span>Mindfulness in Leadership</span></h1>
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<h1 id="watch-headline-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Jon Kabat-Zinn: Growth and Optimism">Jon Kabat-Zinn: Growth and Optimism</span></span></h1>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Te2jNDbUQao?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Jon Kabat-Zinn: Growth and Optimism"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Jon Kabat-Zinn: Growth and Optimism">Jon Kabat-Zinn: The Stars of Our Own Movie</span></span></div>
<br />
For more information on Mindfulness training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a><br />
For more information on Mindfulness & Strength Finder training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a> or Write to us at: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a><br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-16660530221103096712011-10-24T15:17:00.000-07:002011-11-03T21:44:28.940-07:00Mindfulness of your Strengths, Part II - Benefits not Considered<div align="JUSTIFY">
During an executive team training this morning, I
realized some of the Strength Finder Themes <span style="color: black;">could
</span>evoke expectations that may be confusing when one is trying to
figure out how those Strengths apply to them. A participant asked
"Why don't they<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">sometimes</span>
work exactly the way they are described in the book?" That was a
great question<span style="color: black;">.</span> For example, i<span style="color: black;">t‘</span>s
understood that a person with the Strength of Harmony is calm,
even-keeled, capable of resolving conflicts, and certainly conflict
resistant. However, in a drive for creating and<span style="color: black;">/</span>or
experiencing Harmony, one may create conflict and u<span style="color: black;">nrest</span>
to get to it. This may be an odd situation, which depend on many other elements that impact one's life such as emotional and mental issues, environmental issues, etc that contribute to a sense of war before calm. Additionally, depending on the other Strengths one has,
the way Harmony is expressed might be different than expected. The
fact is that none of these Strengths manifest<span style="color: black;">s</span>
<span style="color: black;">itself </span>completely independently. Each
Strength influences other Strengths by either supporting,
complementing, reinforcing or leveling out their opposite effects.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
For example, a person who also has Discipline with
characteristics of hating chaos, confusion and doing things
spontaneously might feel judgmental towards that sort of person or
environment. Thus, the effects of his or her Harmony might be reduced
temporarily <span style="color: black;">in order </span>to use Discipline
to resolve the situation. Visa versa, the Harmony might reduce the
sometimes rigidness of Discipline.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Another aspect of the Strengths tha<span style="color: black;">t‘</span>s
not realized is the fact that some Strengths have <span style="color: black;">an</span>
unnoticed natural ability in them. A good example is the Strength of
Connectedness. Connectedness<span style="color: black;">,</span> when
utilized consciously and skillfully<span style="color: black;">,</span> is
a great soil for cultivating ideas and strategies. It is due to the
ability inherent in the Connectedness <span style="color: black;">to</span>
see links that others may not see. Ideas form rapidly and<span style="color: black;">,
</span>if the person is mindful enough<span style="color: black;">, most of
them</span> may be viable and reliable ideas and solutions. Thus,
Connectedness can work as <span style="color: black;">well, </span> if not
better than<span style="color: black;">,</span> Ideation and/or Strategic.
All it takes is awareness and consciousness (Mindfulness).
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<a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/" target="_blank">Mindfulness training</a> can
provide the awareness needed to realize what is happening in the mind
and bod<span style="color: black;">y so that one might </span>know which
Strength is present in order to optimize its effects and benefits.</div>
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….. more on this topic on
future blogs.</div>
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For more information on Mindfulness training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a><br />
For more information on Mindfulness & Strength Finder training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a> or Write to us at: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-52923045731637006282011-10-23T13:10:00.000-07:002011-10-24T14:48:57.417-07:00What is Mindfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For more information on training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a><br />
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For more information on training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-52713452882964587432011-10-23T13:02:00.000-07:002011-10-24T14:48:37.676-07:00Scientific Benefits of Meditation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For more information on training for individuals visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a><br />
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For more information on training for organizations visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-28910202587541675962011-10-01T13:01:00.000-07:002011-11-03T21:45:37.152-07:00Management of Self-Views<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We had an amazing session last Tuesday night at our regular <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/" target="_blank">Mindfulness sitting group</a>. As I led the group to meditate I asked them to try and recognize how many "I"s showed up in their meditation. I gave a brief explanation of what I meant, which was to see how our mind forms an identity, owns it (by attaching to it) and then suffers because of it. This "I" identity is obvious when you think of different roles you play in life, such as wife, sister, mother, brother, father, teacher, student, etc. Even if those are all you could think of during this meditation, that's fine. I continued instructing them that as they paid attention to their breath to watch the content of the mind and see if they could tell who was present at each moment. As we went around checking-in after the meditation, for many noticing who was present seemed to be hard to grasp or stay with. Many reported that thoughts were emerging so fast and fleeting so rapidly that it would be difficult to pinpoint who was present at each moment. In fact, it is very hard to fathom how many hundreds and or thousands of selves we've encountered throughout our lives and continue to encounter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The concept of "Self-View" from the Buddhist psychology and teachings is an idea that unless one can experience it through meditation and mindfulness would be abstract and hard to grasp. Nonetheless, an important teaching. Understanding it can help reduce a lot of mistakes, loss of resources, stress, and dissatisfaction. It is in the becoming of each of these selves and roles that many leaders, managers or any other individuals get lost because they see the world around them through the "I" lens (subjective) and possibly miss opportunities and/or create a lot of suffering for themselves and others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let us explore this idea a bit more before leaping into its effects. Self-View is one of the first concepts that I came across when I was still new to the practice of mindfulness. In a ten day silent monastic retreat, as we tended to our daily meditations we also attended evening talks by Ajhan Amaro, a prominent Buddhist monk and master/teacher, now the Abbot of Amaravati Monastery in England. In one of his talks he introduced the idea of "Self-View", this idea that we have many identifications for many conventional purposes. As we cling or attach to any one of these self-views and identity ourselves with it as if it were an absolute reality, we are bound to suffer. Ahjan Amaro instructed us to contemplate this during the next walking meditation. This was too vague for me at the time, but somehow it was one of the points in his talk that caught my attention. During the walking meditation I kept watching for self-view, self identity to arise but couldn't really see anything. His instructions were to ask the question, "Who is it?" and not really look for the answer but rather listen for it to appear. He explained that mere questioning of this is enough. The question brings awareness to some possible space in the mind between all the thoughts and believing that they were mine as opposed to just some thoughts passing through. This was fascinating, but I had no idea what that meant in actual experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I left the retreat after ten days of absolute silence, I realized that so many seeds had been planted in the soil of me (my mind, heart, soul, and body) and that they would be sprouting as time would pass and as I accumulated more and more mindfulness practice. Ater a few years and consistent practice I have finally got the meaning of "Self-View" and its impact on my success, failure, illness or wellbeing. As I presented my understanding of this concept to our regular Tuesday night class, I invited them to look into how many ideas of who we are would constantly form and constantly pass. We don't however, seem to see the passing of each self-identity. As some sort of feeling arises in our internal experience about any event our mind clings to it and owns the event as if it were solid, permanent and reliable. Then a chain of expectations follows and pushes us into the pit of discomfort, dissatisfaction and suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The way I came to see and understand the workings of self-view in my own mindfulness practice was through observations, reflections and eventually discernment. Staying long enough with the experience with a curious and objective mind, I was able to see that as soon as an "experience" comes to be, an "I" identity rises with it simultaneously and the "I", if not neutral, attaches itself to the feeling that accompanies the experience. The mind goes for explanation of what the feeling means and the reasons for it, causing another chain of events to follow in response or reaction to the way the "I"experiences it, (good or bad), as opposed to the actual experience or event without the "I". Because these chains of events are founded on the subjective aspect of the experience any response or reaction is most often not as wise as it could be. They are not objective. And of course, being objective is easier said than done, when as humans we constantly have subjective experiences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>So, what are the effects or benefits of seeing that we are clinging to an experience or owning it as ours?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Because our mind is constantly producing perceptions of events through feelings in combination with assumptions, interpretations, opinions and judgments (which are all created by self-views) our response is to the interpretation of the event, not the actual event. For example, we may keep some employees around even though they are low performing, not honest, etc. We feel a lot of discomfort about this and keep coming up with reasonable reasons why we do this. "Well she is really a good person." or "She does work hard, not consistently, though," or "Only if she ......" We try to analyze and over-analyze and nothing changes until things are completely out of hand. In this case, we can begin to look at what it is that is causing us to continue this ineffective strategy. Or better yet, ask the question "Who is it " that is continuing to allow this employee to continue not performing and being dishonest with his or her time?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">However, I have found that merely asking the question is not enough. First, I had to settle the chattering mind enough so that I could actually hear a reliable and wise response to the question of "Who is it?" I realized the mind that's going a hundred miles an hour with constant opinions and assumptions could not point me to the truth. The truth is that an uncomfortable feeling arises in the example above where an employee is not being honest with their work habits. The mind immediately sees itself as the victim, "<b>I </b>cannot believe she does that....," and instantly owns the experience, by attaching and clinging to it as "me" or "mine," then it looks for other unreliable perceptions such as, "But she is a good person," and becomes confused about a proper course of action; that may include providing more training, moving the employee to a different department, or letting her go. As the person is wallowing in their own sometimes conflicted perceptions, discomfort, stress and suffering persists. In this way management of agenda is negatively impacted by our perceptions and self-views. Practicing to settle the mind and cultivating mindfulness of what is real in the moment can intercept the unnecessary and rapid formation of perceptions and self-views and eventually lead to reliable success and well-being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;">For more tips on Mindfulness practice visit:</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><a href="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/">www.mindfulvalley.org</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;">Providing Mindfulness At Work training to your employees can reduce the loss of important resources such as time, money, supplies, and prevent the failure of expensive projects. Practicing mindfulness can enhance the quality of your employees' performance, communication, attendance, attention / presence and overall well-being. Contact us for mindfulness training </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;">To Optimize Success and Wellbeing </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;">at: </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a> <span style="color: #0b5394;">Or Visit:</span> <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To learn more about how a faulty perception is formed see Dr. Motaghy's Process of Perceiving diagram. Send us your questions and comments through this blog or via email, <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-35551079087341086942011-09-23T11:49:00.000-07:002011-10-20T15:53:57.716-07:00How to Control Urges and Exhibit Self-Discipline - My Guru, The Pita Bread!<div id="body" style="text-align: justify;"><style type="text/css">
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<div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Guru, The Pita Bread!</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have a somewhat regular and sincere contemplative mindfulness practice that helps me understand why I experience life the way I do, both internally and externally. I've been able to see my own urges, those I'm not really aware of such as the urge to multi-task. Practicing mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness practices I've learned to become in touch with my own urges, how they've controlled my life and work and how now to control them through awareness and self discipline. So, here are a few reflections for your coffee time. As you sip on your deliciously made aromatic coffee, tea or hot cocoa, accept these thoughts for your own reflection.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the third mindfulness class I took with Daniel Davis, I finally decided to do the homework he had suggested, which was to do one thing we do routinely during the day, mindfully. That is, to be with the experience of it and fully give it our undivided attention. For example, if we chose brushing our teeth, he said to brush slowly, feel every stroke as the brush moved around the mouth, what it felt like, the taste of the tooth paste, what the mind was doing; observe everything about that experience, while also focusing on our breath. This was our mindfulness exercise, which to me didn't sound too exciting. It took a lot of self discipline to be able to stay with an activity and not wander off in the mind.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"> <span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I never did the toothbrush exercise. </span></span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until that final day of having burnt my 1967th pita bread and screaming to myself, "this is so annoying. It's not acceptable anymore!”</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aside from running my business, tending to clients, raising kids, continuing to graduate school, etc., I also managed to lead a life of arranging parties, cooking for anywhere from 25 to 70 people, for my kids and family and for different occasions. I'm considered a very good cook by those who enjoyed flawless dishes over the course of 25 years. With one helper at my side to help prepare I could cook and prepare up to 10 dishes for a party all in one day and have everything come out perfect with beautiful presentations. That takes self discipline, so I thought! I also viewed myself as very accountable and responsible.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, why did I burn nine pitas out of every ten that I tried to warm up? That had to do with some kind of an urge that I wasn't aware of, an urge that was controlling my life in so many ways and now I saw it as causing me to burn so many pita breads.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You see, for we Persians, using the toaster or microwave or even an oven to heat up the pita is a no-no. At least that's how my grandma taught me. So, we have to heat our pita bread over the fire to cook it to perfection. This takes anywhere between ten and thirty seconds. I know. I've timed it. So, for a competent cook like me burning nine out of ten pitas is really absurd and very annoying.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why was this happening? I had to find out. Hence, this became my mindfulness exercise for my homework. Oh boy, was I in for a huge lesson in getting to know how I went about living life. While I stayed with my pita bread to heat it up, I followed the instructions of my teacher, feeling all my feelings, being with the experience, being with my breath, etc. I observed how absolutely difficult it was for me to just do one thing at a time. I saw how I could not stay put for twenty seconds to finish this task. The urge to run and do other things was overwhelming. I'd leave the stove to get something from the fridge, to wash vegetables, cut them, put on music and so many other things while leaving the bread on the fire and rushing to turn it over in between all those other tasks. And of course, it would burn needlessly.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OMG, I could not, and I mean could not for the life of me stay put. I saw how absolutely uncomfortable it was for me to pay attention to one thing and wait until it finished. As if it was not worth my time or something! As if I had to prove I could do more or as if having accomplished heating a few pita breads was too low of an accomplishment! I couldn't figure out what this was all about. It was one of the most bizarre experiences I encountered with myself. At that moment it hit me, "Where else in my life do I behave in this way? Where else do I not pay attention where it might be so much more harmful than just burning a few pieces of bread?" I thought about my kids, my relationships, my business. I had to sit down with that overwhelming thought and start practicing loving kindness, acceptance and gratitude for myself or I would have felt like a total failure. The pita bread had become my mirror!</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In that moment I saw how I reacted to events in my life through urges and the need to satisfy them. Now, I'm not an addict or alcoholic, but this sure felt like addiction to me, my not being able to stop running around. I also understood why my teacher had given us such exercise and what mindfulness meant. I had believed I was a self- disciplined person, but realized that at least that behavior was nothing more than being a slave to my urges of producing, entertaining, running to fix and to achieve.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After that aha moment passed, I tried heating my bread as an only task and it was not easy. It was as if I were a smoker or an addict who had to quit multi-tasking. At first, I tried to impose control over my behavior, like a chain smoker trying to quit smoking but couldn't do it all at once. As I put another pita bread on the fire, I stayed close by, opened the drawer next to the stove to get forks and knives out, and the cabinet above to get plates out. I needed a great amount of self-discipline and didn't have it.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: serif;">How I learned to control my urges and exhibit self-discipline:</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>1</b>. First I had <b>to feel my urges</b>, which took self- discipline and tolerance to be with something that was very uncomfortable.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> 2. Coming back</b> to the task at hand made it easier and easier to feel the urge to control by doing one thing at a time.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Seeing clearly</b>. I realized that only a fraction of my attention was applied to any of the tasks I did while multi-tasking. Control was not the right strategy because it wasn't sustainable. I needed to be aware of the underlying urges that activate my choices and actions and by acknowledging them not become a slave to the urge to multi-task.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> 4. Training the mind</b> was what I needed to enhance my self-discipline. I needed the skill and ability to stay in one place and to finish one task at a time with excellent quality and the least amount of stress. Boy, this has really helped minimize a lot of humanly mistakes that I could easily brush under the carpet or just find some justification for.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Practicing mindfulness has helped me control my urges, increase my self-awareness and self-discipline and has enhanced my results dramatically (I burn one out of ten pitas, a 90% improvement). I clearly see the connection between my efforts, desired outcomes and my serenity. I've learned that the quality of time and outcomes definitely depend on the quality of my awareness.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #555555;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By meditating routinely, bringing my attention to my breath and back to the task at hand I am so much calmer, so much happier and more accomplished. The quality of life is all in the way I experience things. And this, simply, is how the pita bread became my guru.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #444444;">First published in Nov 2008 </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="sig" id="sig" style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Manijeh Motaghy is the founder of Mindful Business Institute an Organizational Effectiveness, Management Consulting, and Employee Training Firm. For workshops on Mindfulness at Work, Mindfulness in Time Management, Mindfulness in Your Strengths and other mindfulness training Visit us at: <a _fcksavedurl="../../../../../" href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/" target="_new">http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a><br />
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Download free guided mindfulness meditation at: <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/" href="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/" target="_new">http://www.mindfulvalley.org</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-78146631206226018562011-09-13T11:00:00.000-07:002011-11-03T21:49:02.790-07:00Mindfulness of your Strengths, Strength Finder 2.0 - Part I<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">In the past few years I've been including the Strength Finder 2.0 test in my <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/" target="_blank">training and consulting</a> sessions. I have found knowing clients’ talents and Strengths to be quite valuable in helping them create solutions to enhance their outcomes. As the Strength Finder 2.0 promises, living through strength rather than weakness enhances handling day to day interactions and tasks as well as creating a more fulfilling work-context. Knowing my own natural talents and Strengths has certainly worked wonders for me. I no longer obsess about what I'm not good at, rather I employ my Strengths to work with every situation effectively and with ease. I've also learned that these identified Strengths work the same way as any tool might and that we cannot rely on them as an all purpose tool. </span> </div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">For example, when it's time for me to get home I would use my car as the tool to get me there, and when I arrive at home I need a different tool, a key, to open the house door. Obviously, if I were to use the same tool that helped me arrive there, the vehicle, to open the door it could cause a lot of damage to the door and the walls and prove to be the worst “tool” to use. It works in the same way if we are not aware when we are being in a specific Strength, such as let’s say the “Includer” Strength, which is my own top second Strength. The Includer does not like to exclude. Everyone has to be included, and she can easily sense gaps between the haves and the have-nots and has a lot of tolerance for diversity, etc. This Strength is very useful to me when I am teaching a class or running a meeting. I am quickly able to sense who may not be included and make sure everyone's voice has been heard. However, I have found myself needing to include people without considering the appropriateness of it. The more I have worked to notice and be aware that I am naturally and automatically doing that, the more I've been able to exclude those that need to be excluded without feeling uncomfortable about it. This has helped me cultivate healthy boundaries without judging myself for having the Strength of “Includer”. </span> </div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">Other Strengths need more explicit skills such as the “Strategic” Theme To be effective as a Strategic Theme, one needs to learn the "how-to" of developing strategies, i.e. learn how to do a SWOT analysis. We cultivate these natural talents by accumulating skills needed so that we could utilize them effectively and in a timely manor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">Working with various <a href="http://www.blogger.com/In%20the%20past%20few%20years%20I%27ve%20been%20including%20the%20Strength%20Finder%202.0%20test%20in%20my%20training%20and%20consulting%20sessions.%20I%20have%20found%20knowing%20clients%E2%80%99%20talents%20and%20Strengths%20to%20be%20quite%20valuable%20in%20helping%20them%20create%20solutions%20to%20enhance%20their%20outcomes.%20As%20the%20Strength%20Finder%202.0%20promises,%20living%20through%20strength%20rather%20than%20weakness%20enhances%20handling%20day%20to%20day%20interactions%20and%20tasks%20as%20well%20as%20creating%20a%20more%20fulfilling%20work-context.%20Knowing%20my%20own%20natural%20talents%20and%20Strengths%20has%20certainly%20worked%20wonders%20for%20me.%20I%20no%20longer%20obsess%20about%20what%20I%27m%20not%20good%20at,%20rather%20I%20employ%20my%20Strengths%20to%20work%20with%20every%20situation%20effectively%20and%20with%20ease.%20I%27ve%20also%20learned%20that%20these%20identified%20Strengths%20work%20the%20same%20way%20as%20any%20tool%20might%20and%20that%20we%20cannot%20rely%20on%20them%20as%20an%20all%20purpose%20tool.%20%20For%20example,%20when%20it%27s%20time%20for%20me%20to%20get%20home%20I%20would%20use%20my%20car%20as%20the%20tool%20to%20get%20me%20there,%20and%20when%20I%20arrive%20at%20home%20I%20need%20a%20different%20tool,%20a%20key,%20to%20open%20the%20house%20door.%20Obviously,%20if%20I%20were%20to%20use%20the%20same%20tool%20that%20helped%20me%20arrive%20there,%20the%20vehicle,%20to%20open%20the%20door%20it%20could%20cause%20a%20lot%20of%20damage%20to%20the%20door%20and%20the%20walls%20and%20prove%20to%20be%20the%20worst%20%E2%80%9Ctool%E2%80%9D%20to%20use.%20It%20works%20in%20the%20same%20way%20if%20we%20are%20not%20aware%20when%20we%20are%20being%20in%20a%20specific%20Strength,%20such%20as%20let%E2%80%99s%20say%20the%20%E2%80%9CIncluder%E2%80%9D%20Strength,%20which%20is%20my%20own%20top%20second%20Strength.%20The%20Includer%20does%20not%20like%20to%20exclude.%20Everyone%20has%20to%20be%20included,%20and%20she%20can%20easily%20sense%20gaps%20between%20the%20haves%20and%20the%20have-nots%20and%20has%20a%20lot%20of%20tolerance%20for%20diversity,%20etc.%20This%20Strength%20is%20very%20useful%20to%20me%20when%20I%20am%20teaching%20a%20class%20or%20running%20a%20meeting.%20I%20am%20quickly%20able%20to%20sense%20who%20may%20not%20be%20included%20and%20make%20sure%20everyone%27s%20voice%20has%20been%20heard.%20However,%20I%20have%20found%20myself%20needing%20to%20include%20people%20without%20considering%20the%20appropriateness%20of%20it.%20The%20more%20I%20have%20worked%20to%20notice%20and%20be%20aware%20that%20I%20am%20naturally%20and%20automatically%20doing%20that,%20the%20more%20I%27ve%20been%20able%20to%20exclude%20those%20that%20need%20to%20be%20excluded%20without%20feeling%20uncomfortable%20about%20it.%20This%20has%20helped%20me%20cultivate%20healthy%20boundaries%20without%20judging%20myself%20for%20having%20the%20Strength%20of%20%E2%80%9CIncluder%E2%80%9D.%20%20Other%20Strengths%20need%20more%20explicit%20skills%20such%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CStrategic%E2%80%9D%20Strength.%20To%20be%20effective%20as%20a%20Strategic%20Strength,%20one%20needs%20to%20learn%20the%20how-to%20of%20developing%20strategies,%20i.e.%20learn%20how%20to%20do%20a%20SWOT%20analysis.%20We%20cultivate%20these%20natural%20talents%20by%20accumulating%20skills%20needed%20so%20that%20we%20could%20utilize%20them%20effectively%20and%20in%20a%20timely%20manor.%20%20Working%20with%20various%20clients%20regarding%20their%20Strengths%20has%20been%20an%20interesting%20journey.%20Some%20turn%20out%20to%20be%20quite%20skeptical%20about%20their%20Strength%20Finder%20test%20results%20and%20others%20quite%20excited.%20Some%20relate%20to%20them%20right%20away%20by%20identifying%20their%20past%20experiences%20through%20the%20lens%20of%20their%20Strengths%20and%20others%20struggle%20quite%20a%20bit.%20Some%20managers%20think%20that%20simply%20because%20they%20know%20their%20employees%27%20Strengths,%20all%20they%20need%20to%20do%20is%20to%20place%20them%20in%20the%20right%20position%20and%20the%20person%20will%20perform%20magically%20well.%20They%20go%20through%20the%20process%20with%20certain%20expectations%20and%20often%20face%20the%20fact%20that%20it%20doesn%27t%20quite%20work%20the%20way%20they%20thought%20it%20should.%20The%20fact%20of%20the%20matter%20is%20that%20even%20though%20our%20Strengths%20have%20great%20influence%20on%20the%20quality%20of%20our%20performance%20and%20experience,%20there%20are%20several%20other%20factors%20that%20influence%20the%20purity,%20sharpness%20or%20power%20of%20our%20Strengths.%20These%20factors%20include%20faulty%20perceptions,%20lack%20of%20skill%20to%20use%20the%20talent,%20which%20means%20it%20has%20not%20become%20a%20Strength%20yet%20and%20lack%20of%20awareness%20that%20the%20person%20is%20actually%20in%20one%20or%20more%20of%20their%20Strength%20modes.%20Here%20are%20three%20ways%20we%20can%20enhance%20the%20quality%20and%20outcome%20of%20our%20Strengths:%20%20%20Three%20Factors%20That%20Enhance%20Your%20Top%20Five%20Strengths:%20%20%20%20%201.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Mindfulness:%20The%20first%20factor%20is%20mindful%20awareness.%20It%20is%20important%20to%20be%20aware%20of%20ourselves%20when%20we%20are%20actually%20exhibiting%20our%20strengths.%20Lack%20of%20awareness%20of%20our%20own%20mental%20processes%20and%20what%20drives%20our%20behavior%20negatively%20impacts%20the%20success%20of%20our%20top%20five%20Strengths.%20For%20this,%20you%20have%20to%20practice%20awareness%20of%20thoughts,%20perceptions,%20bodily%20sensations%20and%20our%20reactions%20to%20circumstances%20as%20they%20arise.%20The%20ways%20you%20can%20cultivate%20mindfulness%20include:%20Mindfulness%20meditation%20and%20applying%20a%20mindfulness%20training%20in%20your%20daily%20activities...%20See%20Thich%20Nhat%20Hanh%27s%20daily%20mindfulness%20Gathas.%20If%20you%20can%27t%20find%20it%20through%20Google,%20let%20us%20know%20and%20we%20will%20send%20it%20to%20you.%20%20%20%202.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Practice:%20The%20second%20factor%20is%20to%20evaluate%20your%20Strengths%20and%20note%20if%20they%20are%20really%20strong%20or%20still%20in%20the%20stages%20of%20developing%20as%20merely%20core-talents.%20In%20the%20book,%20%22Outliers%22,%20the%20author%20indicates%20that%20one%20of%20the%20most%20important%20factors%20that%20contributed%20to%20the%20people%20of%20extraordinary%20talents%20%28the%20outliers%29%20and%20made%20them%20successful%20is%20an%20enormous%20amount%20of%20time%20in%20practice.%2010,000%20hours%20of%20practice%20is%20what%20their%20studies%20have%20shown%20to%20distinguish%20a%20genius%20from%20an%20ordinary%20talent.%20Their%20studies%20include%20geniuses%20such%20as%20Mozart,%20Steve%20Jobs%20and%20the%20Beatles.%20For%20all%20these%20characters%20a%20crucial%20element%20to%20their%20success%20was%20the%20opportunities%20they%20found%20and/or%20created%20to%20put%20their%20talents%20into%20practice.%20Then%20suddenly%20the%20tipping%20point%20happened%20and%20they%20became%20noticed%20for%20their%20skill%20and%20talent.%20Of%20course,%20this%20is%20not%20to%20suggest%20that%20we%20all%20have%20to%20become%20geniuses%20and%20extraordinary%20off%20the%20chart%20people.%20However,%20by%20knowing%20our%20core-talents%20we%20can%20become%20the%20best%20at%20the%20one%20thing%20we%20can%20do%20that%20no%20one%20can%20do%20better%20than%20us.%20%E2%80%9CPractice%20makes%20perfect.%E2%80%9D%20The%20opposite%20is%20also%20true.%20When%20we%20do%20things%20unskillfully,%20we%20can%20create%20harm%20and%20conflict%20instead%20of%20success%20and%20well-being.%20An%20example%20would%20be,%20a%20person%20who%20possesses%20the%20Strength%20of%20%E2%80%9CIndividuation%E2%80%9D%20%28who%20is%20able%20to%20see%20the%20potential%20in%20human%20diversity%20and%20identify%20best%20placement%20for%20employees%29.%20If%20the%20person%20is%20not%20skilled%20at%20this%20Strength,%20she%20may%20make%20comments%20to%20others%20about%20their%20uniqueness%20in%20a%20way%20that%20may%20seem%20critical%20and%20judgmental%20rather%20than%20encouraging%20and%20acknowledging.%20Knowing%20your%20top%20five%20Strength%20types%20is%20one%20thing,%20having%20consciously%20practiced%20them%20is%20another.%20%20%20%203.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Using%20the%20Right-Tool%20at%20the%20Right-Time,%20Right-Context:%20Assuming%20that%20our%20Strengths%20are%20all-purpose%20tools,%20and%20that%20when%20we%20are%20in%20them%20we%20are%20happy,%20productive,%20and%20successful%20and%20can%20resolve%20any%20issue%20can%20be%20a%20pitfall.%20The%20reality%20is%20that%20there%20are%20many%20other%20tools,%20both%20soft%20and%20hard-skill%20tools%20that%20one%20needs%20to%20develop%20for%20these%20top%20five%20Strengths%20to%20manifest%20properly.%20One%20of%20these%20soft-skill%20tools%20is%20having%20healthy%20boundaries,%20as%20I%20explained%20in%20an%20example%20above.%20Another%20aspect%20of%20this%20would%20be%20right-time,%20right-context.%20An%20example%20of%20this%20would%20be%20if%20a%20person%20with%20the%20%E2%80%9CWoo%E2%80%9D%20Strength%20%28who%27s%20aspect%20is%20the%20talent%20to%20inspire%20others%29%20keeps%20wooing%20people%20without%20the%20tool%20of%20healthy%20boundaries%20or%20at%20the%20wrong%20time%20with%20wrong%20people.%20They%20can%20run%20into%20a%20lot%20of%20problems%20when%20wooing%20the%20wrong%20people%20or%20the%20right%20people%20at%20the%20wrong%20time.%20It%20takes%20awareness%20and%20skillfulness%20in%20order%20to%20utilize%20your%20top%20five%20strengths%20properly.%20%20For%20consultation%20and%20Mindful%20Strength%20Finder%20training%20contact%20us%20at:%20info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com%20or%20visit:%20http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com%20%20For%20Mindfulness%20training%20and%20classes%20visit:%20http://mindfulvalley.org" target="_blank">clients</a> regarding their Strengths has been an interesting journey. Some turn out to be quite skeptical about their Strength Finder test results and others quite excited. Some relate to them right away by identifying their past experiences through the lens of their Strengths and others struggle quite a bit. Some managers think that simply because they know their employees' Strengths, all they need to do is to place them in the right position and the person will perform magically well. They go through the process with certain expectations and often face the fact that it doesn't quite work the way they thought it should. The fact of the matter is that even though our Strengths have great influence on the quality of our performance and experience, there are several other factors that influence the purity, sharpness or power of our Strengths. These factors include faulty perceptions, lack of skill to use the talent, which means it has not become a Strength yet and lack of awareness that the person is actually in one or more of their Strength modes. Here are three ways we can enhance the quality and outcome of our Strengths:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b00fe; font-size: small;"><b>Three Ways To Enhance Your Top Five Strengths:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"><b>Mindfulness:</b></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> The first factor is mindful awareness. It is important to be aware of ourselves when we are actually exhibiting our strengths. Lack of awareness of our own mental processes and what drives our behavior negatively impacts the success of our top five Strengths. For this, you have to practice awareness of thoughts, perceptions, bodily sensations and our reactions to circumstances as they arise. The ways you can cultivate mindfulness include: Mindfulness meditation and applying a mindfulness training in your daily activities... See </span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Thich Nhat Hanh's</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">daily mindfulness Gathas. If you can't find it through Google, let us know and we will send it to you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"><b>Practice:</b></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> The second factor is to evaluate your Strengths and note if they are really strong or still in the stages of developing as merely core-talents. In the book, "Outliers", the author indicates that one of the most important factors that contributed to the people of extraordinary talents (the outliers) and made them successful is an enormous amount of time in practice. 10,000 hours of practice is what their studies have shown to distinguish a genius from an ordinary talent. Their studies include geniuses such as Mozart, Steve Jobs and the Beatles. For all these characters a crucial element to their success was the opportunities they found and/or created to put their talents into practice. Then suddenly the tipping point happened and they became noticed for their skill and talent. Of course, this is not to suggest that we all have to become geniuses and extraordinary off the chart people. However, by knowing our core-talents we can become the best at the one thing we can do that no one can do better than us. “Practice makes perfect.” The opposite is also true. When we do things unskillfully, we can create harm and conflict instead of success and well-being. An example would be, a person who possesses the Strength of “Individuation” (who is able to </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">see the potential in human </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">diversity and identify best placement for employees). If the person is not skilled at this Strength, she </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">may make comments to others about their uniqueness in a way that may seem critical and judgmental rather than encouraging and acknowledging. Knowing your top five Strength types is one thing, having consciously practiced them is another.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"><b>Using the Right-Tool at the Right-Time, </b></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"><b>Right-Context</b></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"><b>:</b></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">Assuming that</span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">our </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">Strengths are all-purpose tools, and that when we are in them we are happy, productive, and successful and can resolve any issue </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">can be a pitfall</span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">. The reality is that there are many other tools, both soft and hard-skill tools that one needs to develop for these top five Strengths to manifest properly. One of these soft-skill tools is having healthy boundaries, as I explained in an example above. Another </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">aspect of this would be right-time, right-context. An </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">example of this would be if a person with the “Woo” Strength </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">(who's aspect is the talent to inspire others)</span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> keeps wooing people without the tool of healthy boundaries </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">or at the wrong time with wrong people</span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">. They can run into a lot of problems when wooing the wrong people or the right people at the wrong time. It takes awareness </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">and skillfulness </span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">in order to utilize your top five strengths properly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">For consultation and Mindful Strength Finder training contact us at: </span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a class="western" href="mailto:info@uniteinvision.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></u></span></span><span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;"> or visit: </span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a class="western" href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858; font-size: small;">For Mindfulness training and classes visit: </span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a class="western" href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a></u></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-22358691634029100702011-09-08T20:38:00.000-07:002011-10-20T17:33:48.736-07:00Breaking the Fear Barrier - How to Bust Corporate Barriers<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breaking the Fear Barrier is a book by Tom Rieger published by Gallop. The article printed on Gallup Management Journal on Aug 18, 2011 explains "The biggest threat to an organization's success: the<b> fear</b> that lives within its own walls."</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I read the <a href="http://gmj.gallup.com/content/149015/Bust-Corporate-Barriers.aspx?utm_source=email&utm_medium=092011&utm_content=morelink&utm_campaign=newsletter">Q&A</a> with the author about how this fear is developed throughout organizations and how leaders are responsible for eliminating it, I realized he had not considered the one human factor, <i>perception</i>, present in all human experiences regardless if one is a leader, manager or a follower. Perception is what gives power to any type of feeling, sense of urgency or lack thereof. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Last night, during the third session of my Mindfulness at Work Class, I presented a model of how perception is developed and how perception is almost always faulty, not factual and a root cause for stress, dissatisfaction, mistakes and failure.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As it turns out we are constantly forming perceptions. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Perception</b> is formed when an event happens and combines with the way we feel about the event. Perception can be faulty or true. In the case of organizations, and </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Rieger's perception that fear is the underlying factor for a lot of issues in organizations, while I might agree I would have to add that our relationship to the way we experience phenomena has precedence over the impact of fear itself. Fear alone has no impact on anything. It is the way we experience fear and generate more of it that is the issue. Consider the following process as faulty or true perception is formed. First, Faulty Perception because it is much more common.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><style type="text/css">
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</style> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Faulty Perception:</span></b></span></div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">An event represents any ordinary or extraordinary phenomenon that happens every moment of the day. This could </span></span>include receiving an email, witnessing an accident, taking a walk, breaking a dish, watching a movie, talking to a friend, finishing a project, counting inventory, signing payroll checks, etc.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The first thing that happens after the event occurs (which could change from moment to moment) is that a category of </span></span>feeling or a mixture of feeling categories arise: Pleasant, Unpleasant or Neutral. Based on our relationship to the present feeling thoughts </span><span style="font-size: small;">immediately </span><span style="font-size: small;">come up to explain it. See the diagram above.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When thoughts come up to explain the feelings they change the actual event from its pure form to the version </span></span>of one's own understanding or better yet, one's own liking. In this way Faulty Perception is formed.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When this happens the original event is contaminated and o</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ne's</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> reaction or response in that moment is no longer to </span></span>the original version but rather to the version one has created, the Perception.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;">What's more harmful is that the perception about the event goes on to be stored in the memory system as fact, which one draws on at later dates.</span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hence, </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">one is</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> constantly responding either</span></span> to a faulty perception one forms in the moment or the faulty perceptions one has stored in their memory system.</span></li>
</ol><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>True Perception:</b></span></div><div><style type="text/css">
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</style> </div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">True perception is created by acceptance. Acceptance</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">means not being in conflict with any event as it arises no matter the feeling tone that arises with it. It does not mean one</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">has</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to agree with it and it does not mean not to</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> feel anything. And it doesn't mean not to do anything about it. It simply means responding directly to the event and not to the interpretations of the event. Which there may be many interpretations depending on how many parties are involved.</span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, this is easier said than done, because perceiving happens so fast it is hard to notice what is true and what is an interpretation of the truth. This is why Rieger's view that leaders could eliminate fear is not realistic. Perceiving happens as fast as if one were falling off a tree. During the fall the person is not able to notice how many branches they passed, or how many leaves they might have seen. All they notice is one minute they're up and the next minute they're experiencing contact with the ground and really bad pain in parts of the body that hit the ground first. </span><span style="font-size: small;">However, it is possible to cultivate the skill in the mind to be able to catch it at the feeling tone and not add to the event. This cultivation requires cleansing the mind by teaching it to settle down so it can see more clearly what is going on before rushing into interpretation, opinion and judgement.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The way to keep one's perception clean and truthful to the actual event is to practice developing a non-judgmental mind through Mindfulness Meditation.</span></span></span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As one</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">practices</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mindfulness of the breath meditation their</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mind becomes</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">more and more accepting and less </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">and less argumentative about what is happening in the moment.</span> In my consulting and training work I always include mindfulness training. There is no better way to retain the learning gained from training and sustain changes made through strategic planning.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The practitioner </span><span style="font-size: small;">of Mindfulness Meditation </span><span style="font-size: small;">builds the skill to recognize the feeling tone before their mind has a chance to contaminate the event via the ego's attempt to explain and own it. As soon as the feeling is recognized and acceptance is present the ego lets go of taking ownership of the event and handling it.</span> Thus, managers, leaders and department heads become more attentive, more wise and less reactive to the underlying fear that drives their decisions.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a result </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">of T</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">rue </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">P</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">erception, appropriate</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">response</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">is given </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to reality as opposed to what's made up by the mind.</span></span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in;"><span style="font-size: small;">When one is in acceptance they are realistic rather than idealistic. The view is "It is what it is," and the question is what is the one best solution that takes into consideration the benefit of all involved </span><span style="font-size: small;">towards accomplishing the mission of the organization</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span> </div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are a human being, you are constantly forming perceptions </span><span style="font-size: small;">and must evaluate or have the skill to detect how accurate you are in your perception. Otherwise, y</span><span style="font-size: small;">our response </span><span style="font-size: small;">could</span><span style="font-size: small;"> cause a lot of waste in resources, time and money. This explanation about perception can be helpful for organizations to understand why there may be so much misalignment between departments, </span><span style="font-size: small;">leaders </span><span style="font-size: small;">and </span><span style="font-size: small;">/or between </span><span style="font-size: small;">members of any department.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on Mindfulness visit: <a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/">http://mindfulvalley.org</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">For team and individual training and classes on Mindfulness visit: <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.08in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Manijeh Motaghy, PsyD. OMC is an Organization Management Consultant who is a Mindfulness practitioner and trainer. For her full bio visit:<a href="http://uniteinvision.com/"> </a></span><a href="http://uniteinvision.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-14068355891301748772011-09-07T16:53:00.000-07:002011-10-27T18:37:55.260-07:00The Pathways in My Brain Have Changed!<style type="text/css">
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<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our mind
is in charge of all our affairs, personal, professional, all of it. How
reliable is your mind? Can you trust it to make wise decisions for
you? With all the constant interpretations, assumptions, opinions,
judgments, and a faulty perception, how could it manage your life and
profession optimally and to your satisfaction. If you look at your life
and your own level of satisfaction, you will see what I'm saying is
true. Of course, we always blame the outside elements and forces to be
the cause of our unhappiness and our mind has plenty of reasons and
stories to justify this theory and perception. The truth is that our
dissatisfaction is mainly due to the habitual way our mind is grown to
perceive and rule. We assume something to be true about any event and
respond based on our assumptions. Often, not true. Brain experts tell
us that with long term meditation we can cleanse the mind and re-train
it to see things as they are and respond to event appropriately. In
fact, we can change the habitual ways of the mind by creating new
pathways in our brain that integrate with the rest of the brain in an
optimal way, hence enhance our lives dramatically.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
think I have created new pathways in my brain via constant meditation
and mindfulness practice, like the scientists at the Nova Brain institute suggest we could do. Sitting at our regular Tuesday night
sitting group my entire body felt in alignment with my mind in a
space of deep concentration and alertness. As I sat in meditation,
all parts of my body were locked-in together like a solid building
structure. I felt no urge for movement, no pain or discomfort in the
body meant anything. Even when the teacher rang the bell, and it was
time to get out of meditation, my mind and body which were completely
at ease, alert and stable did not wish to stop meditating. I think I
sat there for the rest of the night with my eyes closed and without
much movement. It just felt right. I was alert. I heard every word
of the dharma talk and every word that our sitters shared. I wasn't
tuned out. I was right there, stable, present and solid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
we left the session, I reflected on this perfect experience of ease
and strength both in the mind and the body that I had not experienced
in quite the same way before. I realized it was all due to the love
of the practice I had developed during this week at the Abhayagiri
Monastery. As I participated in all the meditation sessions and
listened to the dharma talks and asked questions about my own
practice and my understanding of it, I felt a leap into a different
level of ease and knowingness. I can't tell you how effective the
response to all my questions was as the smiling monk, </span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ajhan
Sanyamo,</span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">
answered them. I had been there before, cherished my stay and
experiences, participated in all the work meditation, talks and
events, but hadn't before voluntarily done extra meditation. This
time, I did extra sessions of walking meditation and sitting in my
room, all afternoons and evenings. My mind wanted to. I was looking
for that ease, comfort and stillness. All agendas of why so and so
does this or doesn't do that or all the desires of the heart to have
this or that have faded away. It must have been the effect of the
monk's responses! I was curious, why this sudden shift of no effort
in my meditation? My mind fe</span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">els</span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">
like a dutiful, loving and responsive child who has gotten the
routine down and is not in conflict with sitting </span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">or
being</span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">
in silence. </span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
must be the tipping point, Malcolm Gladwell talks about in his book, the "Tipping Point.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">Similarly,
this must be what scientists and experts of brain development mean
when they say that with consistent and long term meditation the
brain's elasticity develops new grooves and pathways. According to
Dr. Daniel Siegel, with longterm meditation, the frontal cortex,
which is responsible for managing our lives, integrates better with
the rest of the brain and becomes a collaborative chunk instead of
being fragmented. And that seems to be happening with my brain.
Every time my mind tries to travel the old pathways of constantly
interpreting, expecting, assuming, judging, etc. , it gets nowhere,
because with the new pathways the map of my brain has changed.
Negative thoughts and expectations of things to be different no
longer stick for long because there is no groove for the mind to fall
into. The mind is now craving for peace, concentration and
equanimity and it knows where to get them. It has a clear address
and route to them. Just follow the breath and let go of all thoughts
that are not relevant to what's happening now. This is the new
groove in my brain!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
shared with a sitter last night that my stay and practice at the
monastery felt as if I had gotten a very strong dose of a peace and
concentration vitamin shot. Of course, this experience was not only
impacting my love for meditating and wanting to sit more, but, as a
result, has enhanced the way I am experiencing everyday difficulties
particularly when the results of what I do turn out contrary to my
wishes or expectations. In a way, expectations seem to be slowly
fading away. The need to plan perfectly and expect my plans to work
out is also slowly and effortlessly falling away. The pain that came
from holding on to fantasies of how life should be, how my man should
treat me and how my kids should turn out or how my name and fame
should go, and many other fantasies have dissolved into acceptance,
kindness and joy. What is taking place is ease, comfort and wisdom
that create more of what I really want at the core and less of what I
really don't want. I'm also better able to transfer the insights I
gain from practicing Mindfulness to my students and clients.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am grateful to all the teachers and practitioners of mindfulness. May
the blessings of all your efforts benefit all beings.</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dr. Manijeh Motaghy, PsyD.OMC</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mindfulness Business Consultant and Trainer<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mindful
Business Institute</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/">www.mindfulvalley.org</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-55750128730321928092011-08-29T10:50:00.000-07:002011-10-21T17:57:15.280-07:003 Secrets & 3 Tips to Effective Time Management<div style="text-align: justify;"><style type="text/css">
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</style><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #585858;">Does anyone know the secret to time management? I think I have figured it out. In a discovery process, looking for what's actually manageable and what is not, I realized that time itself is NOT manageable! That's right. In fact, time manages us and not the other way around. Time is indifferent to our needs or agendas. It passes as it would whether there is chaos, productivity or lack thereof. Time as it relates to our human activities is influenced by the moon and the sun and other known or unknown elements far beyond our reach and control. Here are three secrets & tips to more effective time management.</span></span></span></div><br />
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</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b00fe;"><b>Secret #1</b></span><span style="color: #585858;"><b>.</b></span><span style="color: #585858;"> </span><span style="color: #585858;"><i>We are not powerful enough nor resourceful enough to manage time.</i></span><span style="color: #585858;"> It is no wonder that we keep feeling a sense of failure when we try to manage time. So, shift your view from "time management" to "life or work management.” Let’s examine more closely what it is that we are trying to manage when we seek to "Manage Time." I put this question to a group of 65 </span><span style="color: #585858;">GSOA </span><span style="color: #585858;">staff and volunteers who attended my Mindful Time Management Workshop. Their responses included: Our tasks, events, life, week, agendas, work, kids, juggling, headaches, etc. Several moaned about never having enough time in a day to do the things they had to do. So, then what does time have to do with it? Other than meeting some imposed deadlines, time is of no relevance to our moment to moment experiences in life. </span><span style="color: #585858;">Also,</span><span style="color: #585858;"> </span><span style="color: #585858;">i</span><span style="color: #585858;">t is important to consider that we constantly react to what we perceive to be real as opposed to what is actually happening.</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b00fe;"><b>Secret #2:</b></span><span style="color: #585858;"> </span><span style="color: #585858;"><i>By aligning ourselves with the reality of what is taking place from moment to moment, we can actually </i></span><span style="color: #585858;"><i>find</i></span><span style="color: #585858;"><i> more time than we need.</i></span><span style="color: #585858;"> This means that many events occur during the day that if we saw them for what they </span><span style="color: #585858;">we</span><span style="color: #585858;">re and not through our interpretations of these events, we might realize we do not need to engage or respond to them all. Hence, saving ourselves a lot of wasted time. Additionally, how we choose to spend our time is the key to managing our lives properly, effectively and with full satisfaction. And then there are the things that happen that are, or feel as though they are, out of our control.</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b00fe;"><b>Secret #3:</b></span><span style="color: #585858;"> </span><span style="color: #585858;"><i>Recognizing our time wasters, time savers and obstacles and properly working with them can create as much space and time as is needed in order to be successful.</i></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="color: #990000; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Three Tips to create more time and space:</b></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A. Create More Time: </b>That's a good one you might be thinking, but how do we do that? Here is how: Develop a list called: <b>Time Waster</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are three examples of a list of 20 <b>Time Wasters</b></span></span></span></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Talking too much.</u> Telling long stories to make a minute point - just because we want to prove we get it. Instead we could say, "I get it." or "I understand." and leave it at that.</span></span></span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Obsessing over past events</u>. This is a big one, and we don't realize how much time we waste by repeatedly thinking or talking about what has passed over and over.</span></span></span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Disorganization</u>, spending too much time looking for files on our computer, in our closet, in the kitchen, on our desk, etc.</span></span></span></div></li>
</ul><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>How much time can you save by just adjusting these three things? For some people it could be hours. What else wastes your time?</i></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>B. Create More Time: </b>What? Isn't this the same as part A? Yes, but it's different. Create another list called: <b>Time Savers.</b></span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are three examples of a list of 20 <b>Time Savers</b>:</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><ul><li><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Aim instead of Blame</u>. How much time do you waste by looking for someone or something to blame when something is not going your way? Stop, get over it. Unless it is to make corrective actions, move to solution and intention rather than spending time defending yourself or persecuting others. Accept what's your part. It helps others accept their part instead of defending their case.</span></span></span></li>
</ul></div><ul></ul><ul><li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Set clear boundaries</u> with those who tend to interrupt you in the middle of projects. And that goes for your own distractive mind. Figure out how much uninterrupted time you need and communicate it firmly and with kindness. Again, that goes for your own distractive mind as well. Keep returning your attention to the task when you are distracted.</span></span></span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0.04in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Take mindful breaks</u></span></span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. Breaks are definitely time</span></span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span></span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">savers. Mindful breaks help replenish both mental and physical energy. Mindful breaks mean taking time to walk away from the task to feel your body, pay attention to your emotions and get in touch with all kinds of urges that drive you. Even a few moments of doing so will help you complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed. To learn </span></span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">more about</span></span></span><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> mindful breaks visit: </span></span></span><a href="http://mindfulvalley.org/"><span style="color: #ff8b0b;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://mindfulvalley.org</span></span></span></a></div></li>
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</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How much time can you save by adjusting these three areas?</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #585858;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>C. Know your obstacles: </b>Obstacles are both internal and external phenomena that get in the way of reaching our goals and desired outcomes. Some of these obstacles are manageable and some are not. Create two lists that identify and distinguish the manageable from the unmanageable. Be realistic. Let go of what you cannot manage and tend to what you can.</span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b00fe;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Contact us for a Three 3 Hour workshop and learn How to Resolve Your Time Management Difficulties Through Mindfulness: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b00fe;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">For other mindfulness at work workshops visit: <a href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">www.MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a> </span><u><br />
</u></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-16325874172167706382011-08-29T10:35:00.000-07:002011-10-20T17:14:03.627-07:009 Tips To Improve Management<ol><li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When evaluating your strategic plan,</b> be sure to understand if you took your orders from your organization's mission statement or from the chaos of the environment. This is one of the most crucial elements missed by organizations who dont' feel as successful as they want to be and it applies to any size organization, even to a one man or one woman show. Our mission is to Optimize Success and Wellbeing. Everything we do must support this mission.<b><br />
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<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Take time to discover your employees' and your own natural Talents and Strengths.</b> This way you can engage in and be involved in what you all do effortlessly. When you love what you do and do it effortlessly, you won't want to stop, you won't get tired and you won't complain about not enough pay or benefits. Studies show that focusing on natural strengths results in happiness and fulfillment, which increase quality of work and level of productivity. </span><br />
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<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Be sure to include training needs in your evaluation.</b> Often companies provide performance reviews and focus on positive or negative behavior and outcomes, but they often forget to offer any training or ways to improve the skill or behavior. First you must use a systematic way to evaluate them properly in order to have a clear and accurate picture of areas of need for improvement. Our consultants work closely with Strength Finder tests and provide mindfulness training to optimize </span><span style="font-size: small;">your employees' </span><span style="font-size: small;">utilization skills of their </span><span style="font-size: small;">Strengths</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li>
<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This one will never get old. </b> Practice mindfulness meditation daily to enhance your mental and emotional clarity, feel calm in the midst of chaos and improve all your results. </span></li>
<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Develop a Mindful Time Management Process.</b> That means figuring out what elements cause you to waste time and other valuable resources. These could be too many distractions, lack of attention, lack of direction, or lack of healthy boundaries etc.</span><br />
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<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Before you spend valuable time, money and other resources </b>to invest in social media, take the time to understand Social Media, its relevance and how effective it can be for your type of business. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li>
<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Understand new laws that impact employee privacy protection in regards to Social Media. i.e.</b> Moreno v. Hanford Sentinel, Inc., 172 Ca. App. 4th 1125 (Cal Ct. App. 2009) (no cause of action for Invasion of Privacy where information was posted on a Myspace page).</span><br />
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<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Create Social Media Policy</b> that clarifies boundaries for the type of Social Media activities that impact your business negatively. This can include controlling the use of company sponsored sites.</span><br />
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<li _mce_style="text-align: justify;" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Unite your Vision with all your stakeholders.</b> Everything in this world is connected. Find those connections and create a link to other people's or organizations' vision. Your chance of success will increase dramatically if you can create alliances to share resources with one another.</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-size: small;">Our trainers at Mindful Business Institute are mindfulness practitioners and expert in shaping the mind and views of your employees so they can work stress-free and productive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Contact us at: <a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">visit us at: <a href="http://www.mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">www.MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945622915168791560.post-80211016147974525112011-08-29T10:07:00.000-07:002011-10-21T17:01:37.520-07:00What Can a Person Do When They Hate Their Job?<style type="text/css">
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<div style="line-height: 0.28in; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every day I encounter someone, a student, a friend, a client or a family member who complains about either their job environment, job stress, or the people they work with and/or the type of work they do. Some come right out and say it, "I hate my job." Others may not be so frank but secretly harbor hatred and resentment. And there are those who tell themselves, "Be happy you have a job."Here is what to do if you or someone you know is one of these people:</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #990000;">FIRST,</b><b> </b>Take an inventory of your thoughts, feelings and your experiences by practicing your daily mindfulness training. How? Take a few days and just observe everything about your job and account for any small pleasant and neutral moments. Notice if there are moments when you are actually having fun, laughing or enjoying a deep conversation with a coworker. Notice those moments when you smile at a favorite picture on your desk. Notice the moments when you are doing so well and are focused and feeling good about your work. It may be while you are helping a customer, or simply typing a report, or doing some research on-line. Notice those moments when you take a break, or walk away to get some fresh air (a must do regularly) and also those moments that are just neutral, no hardship, no pain, no stress, no rapture, simply OK. </span></span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">SECOND</span></b><b style="color: #990000;">,</b> Add up all those pleasant and neutral moments and see if these types of moments actually make up most of your time at work or very little of your time at work. Be willing to see things as they are and not as you believe them to be with one blanket statement or as you'd like it to be.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #990000;">THIRD,</b> Distinguish between the absolute idea, "I hate this job,"or "I hate the boss," or "I hate my coworker," or "I hate this office," or "I hate my shift." etc. and what is true in each of these moments. You may actually find that not every moment is a miserable moment and not every moment has to be pleasurable for you not to be hating or resenting it. Sometimes we hold onto anger, negative feelings and discomfort for a long time simply to prove we are unhappy. Believe me, it is better to be happy than to stubbornly prove you are not happy. </span></span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #990000;">FOURTH,</b><b> </b>When you bring awareness to what is actually happening each moment as opposed to what you believe to be happening, you can also see issues and areas of discomfort that are real and that you can actually do something about. Often our mind misjudges a situation and creates a much bigger version of it. Learn to make your problems smaller so you can solve them. Then re-asses them and see if you still really hate your job.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: black; line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you find doing this inventory </span></span><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">difficult</span></span><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> attend our </span></span><a href="http://uniteinvision.com/"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mindfulness At Work Classes</span></span></a><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> to train your mind to be more discerning and wise so you can expand your chances at success, happiness and contentment. Practicing mindfulness daily will enhance your mood, your choices, your strategies, your relationships and your overall happiness.</span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;">For more tips on Mindfulness practice visit:</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><a href="http://www.mindfulvalley.org/">www.mindfulvalley.org</a></span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;">Providing Mindfulness At Work training to your employees can reduce the loss of important resources such as time, money, supplies, and prevent the failure of expensive projects. Practicing mindfulness can enhance the quality of your employees' performance, communication, attendance, attention / presence and overall well-being. Contact us for mindfulness training </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;">To Optimize Success and Wellbeing </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;">at: </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com">info@mindfulbusinessinstitute.com</a> <span style="color: #0b5394;">Or Visit:</span> <a href="http://mindfulbusinessinstitute.com/">MindfulBusinessInstitute.com</a></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02630557905224714106noreply@blogger.com0