My Heart Life

Do a search on the internet for self help programs and prepare to be amazed. I am a self help guy from way back too, and I am amazed at all that is available for purchase.

You can find a self help site for anything, I think, which is a tribute to both American ingenuity and marketing.

We seem to be adept at finding a problem and creating a program to solve it.

The problem with some of our self help programs is that sometimes they are very light weight, implying that a solution is very easily achieved in the very short term.

When I think of self help, I think of Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous, or Cocaine Anonymous, or I think of the market for weight loss, or divorce or marriage or relationship aids, anger management, or an emerging market in regards to brain fitness.

All of those programs involve regular practice of certain behaviors, and there are three behaviors we humans can hope to manage or control, our thinking, our feelings, and our behaviors, or how our body moves.

If you have read Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s book FLOW, which is treatise on the psychology of optimal performance, then you know that we process sound, visual, touch, smell, and taste information at the rate of seven bits of data every 1/18th second, so self help programs need to be learned and implemented in a very short period of time. (1/18th second is twice as fast as I can blink my eyes).

Self help then must be a process of awareness and management of sensory processing done very quickly and very frequently.

I liken the process for my anger management clients to steering a car, you make thousands of small adjustments to the position of the vehicle on the road, and are paying attention to hundreds of variables at a given moment, traffic in front, behind, traffic lights, children, the policeman six blocks ahead, ect. As you do this, you keep the vehicle going in the direction you want, at the speed you want, in a safe way for yourself and other drivers. You avoid potholes.

So the process of self help must be similar, and involves first your awareness and attention and perception which can only happen in your incredibly fast brain.

Can you imagine paying attention to your attention?

Put it another way, awareness gives me choice.

So self help programs at their most basic are going to give me the ability to choose a new thought, which will lead to a new feeling, which may motivate a different behavior, and this is all going to happen thousands of times per minute in my very fast brain, just like I make many small adjustments to the steering wheel of my vehicle.

Remember that neurons can only do a couple of things, move electrical energy and neurotransmitters, which leads to all my choices, including a very basic cognitive behavioral tool/rule.

Change the thought to change the feeling.

Any self help program is going to give me new thoughts to think about this certain issue.

I need to practice this thought to make them a habit, so the new habit is stonger than the neural habit previously established (think codependent behaviors, for example) and then the new thought can be recalled in an 1/18th second in an emergency, and by that I mean that I recall my new thought to replace my problem thought very fast.

So self help as I am describing it begins with an awareness of how your brain sustains memory, and calls it up. It is very similar to the process you use to steer your car. Certain thoughts are a habit.

Change the thought to change the feeling, and the problem behavior does manifest, because I have changed the thought before my body could move.

So How Do I Increase my Awareness of My Thoughts?

Let me recommend some self help tools which have been very useful to me.

What makes self help the most effective is not effortful striving, but relaxation, believe it or not.

Stress hormones like adrenaline or cortisol were designed to help me prepare my flight of fight physiology for that 1/18th second when I perceived danger (happens in the brain!) and needed to run for my life, fight for life, or freeze to keep my life. When that physiology comes on line, I have only those three behavioral options. And every time my problem thought emerges, since it is now part of a pattern I am trying to change, I will create stress, which makes it harder for self-help to manifest.

Very hard to brainstorm solutions from the stress physiology, so calming down is the way to create self help program mastery.

Deep breathing for a period of time is the best and cheapest self help tool available for us humans, and if you are like most adults, you will nod your head in agreement and continue to breathe very shallow in your chest, which generates that pesky stress physiology.

So try the a heart rate variability program to learn how to contact the self help brain in your heart. What you will do is the first right thing for any self help program to be effective, which is relax, and not just in the moment, but on demand. Heart rate variability biofeedback is learned because it is a biofeedback process, and after a bit of practice your body will learn to stay much closer to this new baseline. A coherent heart rate will open higher perceptual centers in your brain where you will continue to think the thoughts associated with your new self help program, whether it be AA or your favorite weight loss program.

The Best Brain for Self Help

I am not aware of any self help creators out there that are taking a close look at how brain fitness impacts self help success.

We can now do a great deal to make our brains fit and healthier, which is where self help happens.

Not too long ago, no one knew how plastic our brains were and are, how my neurons are connecting and establishing those new habits.

(Neuroplasticity happens in minutes, not hours, days, weeks, or months).

If you want an excellent resource for brain fitness, then read Brainfit for Life by Simon Evans,Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt,Ph.D. who are neuroscientists at the University of Michigan.

They provide a huge amount of easy to digest information about how to get your brain fit for self help.

They discuss the ‘pillars of brain fitness’, physical exercise, nutrition, (incluiding omega 3 fatty acids) sleep, stress management, and challenging learning experiences including using computerized brain fitness programs.

The other aspect of brain fitness for selp help is neurogenesis, or the daily growth of new neurons if I do not have toxins like stress hormones or ethyl alcohol in my brain too frequently.

Novel learning experiences enhance neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.

Very useful brain fitness programs which I have used? Programs involving research about the dual n back task, or Michael Merzenich’s neuroplasticity research are excellent.

Self help programs have been a huge part of my life, and I continue to try them out when I am convinced that there is some research to back them up.

Michael S. Logan is a brain fitness expert, a counselor, a student of Chi Gong, and licensed one on one HeartMath provider. I enjoy the spiritual, the mythological, and psychological, and I am a late life father to Shane, 10, and Hannah Marie, 4, whose brains are so amazing. http://www.askmikethecounselor2.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-role-of-brain-fitness-in-self-help-programs-1070638.html

My Heart Life Heart Health Fitness Alcoholics Anonymous, American Ingenuity, Anger Management, Brain Fitness, Cocaine, Emerging Market, Feelings, Management Clients, Narcotics, Optimal Performance, Paying Attention, Period Of Time, Policeman, Psychology, Safe Way, Short Period, Traffic Lights, Treatise On, Variables, Weight Loss

Dear Friend

How can we influence our Energy? How does the lack of energy result in lack of success?

Energy is the key factor to success in every area of our lives. Somebody who feels tired, worn out and has depressing thoughts is more likely to avoid action and be underperforming.

On the other hand, when a person is energetic, highly motivated and thinking positively, their actions are constant and they can perform at the top level.

Depressed, overwhelmed = no action Exited, full of energy = great action

At the end of the day, all the results you produce are dependent on the state you are in and the energy you have.

Factors that influence life energy and the state you are in: Representations/Meaning, Memory, Internal communication, Physiology, Breathing, Nutrition

Tip: To take most out of these factors we recommend that you get yourself a notebook small enough so you can take it with you wherever you go. Use your notebook daily from both sides. On one side you write my successes, on the other side you are writing down inspirations and questions.

As one key to success is what kind of questions we are asking ourselves, we want to inspire you and unleash the hidden potential within you.

Lets start with some of your success stories (Memories): It will be easy for you to remember three events when you performed at your best, felt excited, perhaps happy, or had this great feeling of success.

Imagine yourself clearly and vividly in these situations. You can see the colours around you, is there any sound? What do you say to yourself? Are there people around you? What do they do and say? How would you describe the dominant feeling?

Describe three situations as clearly, as possible using all of your senses including sight, sound, smell, touch and feelings…

Simon Thomson Memory example: I’m going to describe for you a memory of mine that gives me goosebumps every time I recount it. It gives me the kind of “warm fuzzies” that make me want to get up and move no matter what I’m doing! It was in 2003 when I won the first Olympic Selection Trial at the Coff’s Harbour Triathlon and booked my seat to Athens.

While there was good prize money on offer that day, every Australian knew that first place was automatic selection and that was the only position that counted:

As I rounded the last corner into the finish chute I had well over a minute’s lead and a certain victory when I broke the tape ahead of me. This allowed for the emotions to pour freely as the magnitude of what I had achieved began to hit me.

All the pain I had been managing for the last 2 hours simply melted away from my conscious mind and the grimace broke into an enormous smile. I raised my arms to the roaring crowd that were celebrating this special moment with me.

The noise was loud and constant and only surpassed by the voice of the commentator that verbalised my movements down the final 50 meters. The sun was shining brightly and the oppressive heat had soaked buckets of sweat from my body during the race.

The race bunting and sponsors signage was bright and matched the summer beach clothing of the crowd that were extending their arms towards me over the barrier.

I was now skipping and dancing towards the finish line and slapping high fives the kids as I passed them. Despite the energy I had expended during the race, I now felt light as a feather and as strong and powerful as I’ve ever felt before.

As I passed under the finish arch I grabbed the tape with both hands and raised it in salute above my head. In one movement I turned to my left to see the crowd that included my best friends from home and with arms raised I let out a primal roar that came from an unknown place within.

The noise was drowned out by the crowd and with three steps towards my friends I was suddenly engulfed in a group hug with 15 people over the fence that threatened to sap the last few gasps of breath within me. As I broke free the tears began to flow and I felt the full force of the emotions erupting from everyone around me. I was feeling on top of the world!

You don’t need to win a triathlon to have these feelings. I’ve felt these emotions doing many different things in my life, so be prepared to celebrate many more such great events in your near future!

Have fun with these memories and open your mind for the little every day successes that happen all the time and write them down in your notebook.

Wanted – Tired and worn out people craving for a breakthrough! Do you want more energy in your life? Top Workshop coming up on the 17th May 09. http://www.success-coaching.org/energy.html If Peth WA is not where you live, you can access later on more invaluable (audio and videos from the event).

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/your-first-step-to-vibrant-health-and-life-energy-876732.html

My Heart Life Heart Health Fitness Colours, Dear Friend, Depressing Thoughts, Feelings, Influence Life, Inspirations, Internal Communication, Lack Of Energy, Life Energy, Memories, Notebook, Nutrition Tip, Physiology, Representations, Senses, Simon Thomson, Success Stories, Successes, Vibrant Health, Warm Fuzzies

Getting Things Done The Art of Stress Free Productivity

In today’s world, yesterday’s methods just don’t work. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen’s premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential. In Getting Things Done Allen shows how to:

€ Apply the “do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it” rule to get your in-box to empty
€ Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations
€ Plan projects as well as get them unstuck
€ Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed
€ Feel fine about what you’re not doing

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Did someone really pay him to write this??
I can sum up the principles of this book very quickly:

1. Make lists of things you need to do, on paper, not in your head.

2. Regularly look at your lists and prioritize tasks.

3. Repeat the above.

To be genuinely helpful, Allen should write a book entitled, “Live a Stress-Free Life by Convincing a Publisher to Pay You to Write a Short Book Describing Common Sense So You Never Have to Do Real Work Again”.

4 Stars Satisfied Customer
This product is very informative and will help me be more productive at work and in my personal life. The product arrived in a timely manner with no damage. I would order from this supplier again.

4 Stars Getting Things Done
This book is a great help to procrastinators like me who face long to-do lists but have no idea where to begin. The author provides great tools and insights on how to organize and prioritize your projects and ideas and turn them into real action plans. His suggestion to label your projects into the categories – “Do It”, “Delegate It”, “Defer It” or “Drop It” is definitely a rule that I can use moving forward.

Another book that has helped me to get out of my own way and get things done is Working on Yourself Doesn’t Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life by Ariel and Shya Kane. The 3 simple rules of Instantaneous Transformation that they present in this book has helped me tremendously in tying up those open loops that hang around when you procrastinate and don’t actively participate in your life.

5 Stars This plus software works for me
I purchased this book because my iPhone Application (Things) had reviews discussing GTD software. The book has both the why and the how. The combination of principles from the book and the software has made a tremendous difference for me in just one month.

5 Stars Got it DONE!
When I finished David Allen’s book, I felt like he was a friend and mentor… without ever meeting him.

Easy to read.

Clear, simple methods for organizing EVERYTHING from a passing thought to corporate merger.

Easy to implement within your own framework. David doesn’t have a hidden agenda for marketing a particular product, subscription or service.

A realistic and natural approach.

I couldn’t put it down, because every page felt like a revelation. For so long I have looked for ways to improve the way I organize, track and complete the many elements of my personal and business life.

Lastly, the book is worth reading all the way through, because David helped me create a detailed vision in my mind of how to get things done. Understanding the psychological and relationship aspect of “getting things done” has motivated me to keep at it when organizing got tough.

Buy/More Info

My Heart Life Book Anxiety, Breakthrough Methods, Common Sense, Confusion, Core Principles, Feelings, Free Performance, Great Tools, Insights, Management Consultant, Pace, Personal Life, Plan Projects, Premise, Prioritize, Reassess, Tens Of Thousands, Things Done The Art Of Stress Free Productivity, Timely Manner, Veteran Coach

by Haylee LandfordA dramatic change came to our lives on August 1st, 2008. I first set foot in a place I had never before heard of, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. My son decided he was coming into this world ten weeks before we had all expected him. Remembering my feelings of uneasiness and anxiety, I thought perhaps sharing what pertinent things I learned from the NICU would help ease the burdens of those in the same position. First worrisome part of the environment surrounding the NICU fo

My Heart Life Heart Health Fitness Anxiety, August 1st, Burdens, Dramatic Change, Environment, Feelings, Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nicu