Jobs and CareersSafe And Silly - Staying Motivated On The Job
By Paula Oleska
During a training on supervision I attended a few years ago the instructor asked: "What are the four words that have been found to have the most motivating effect on people?" The attendees - mostly managers - offered: "I bet you can't do it", "you won't get it", "not on your life". The instructor then revealed the words: "I believe in you". Many people believe that fear, criticism and competition are good motivators. Brain science tells us differently.
Roughly speaking, the brain has three basic structures, each responsible for a different task. The top one governs thinking and the bottom one governs behavior. The middle part, called the limbic brain, is responsible for motivation. It is also the same part of the brain which decides whether the situation at hand is safe. If it perceives a threat, it immediately sends signals that put the whole system in a fight-or -flight response. This shuts down higher brain functions in the top layer including thinking in favor of more instinctual behavior. The limbic brain is then mostly motivated to do what is necessary to survive, without considering how appropriate it is to the situation.
But when the limbic brain feels safe, it provides us with almost limitless energy and persistence to pursue our interests. Think of how small children learn. They repeat the skill they are trying to master, whether it is a new word or a new movement for hours, resting when tired, and coming back to it over and over again. As adults, we have experienced the same tenacity when we are really passionate about something. (Passion, also a hallmark of the limbic brain, is really another word for motivation.) The instructor at that seminar was right: it is much more motivating to create a safe environment by expressing trust and encouragement than by instilling fear.
But there is more to motivation than providing encouragement. The limbic brain also thrives on novelty, stimulation and relationships, while it resents routine, isolation and time constraints. Here is a paradox visible in almost every workplace: keeping everyone serious, focused and on schedule in their cubicles, while expecting them also to be motivated and inspired. In a Dilbert cartoon the manager says: "You have exactly 3 minutes and 27 seconds to come up with our global strategy plan". While many executive personality types apply this approach and see motivation and seriousness as equivocal, the majority of people need something else to motivate them.
In an attempt to provide some limbic stimulation, companies like IBM, Charles Schwab and Fidelity are willing to pay $5000 per hour to humor consultants who essentially tell jokes, as reported recently by The New York Times. However, in the long run, it may be more productive to create working conditions that support the limbic brain. That means making work interesting in a safe environment. What creates a safe environment? In addition to the aforementioned encouragement, it also needs clear expectations, rewards for good work, good communication and rapport.
There is one more very important way to keep the limbic brain stimulated - play. During childhood, play is an important developmental stage for such functions of the limbic brain as imagination, learning, memory, humor and emotional expression. Through play children learn how to relate to others, have empathy, set boundaries and solve problems creatively. Many of these skills are now considered a part of Emotional Intelligence - crucial part of business success.
As adults we often think we have outgrown the limbic part of ourselves precisely because it likes to play. We judge it as being "silly", "childish", and "emotional". We think it is more "adult" to think than feel. We want to learn and solve problems intellectually. However, while intellect certainly plays a big role in these tasks, it is still up to the limbic brain to decide what actually gets learned and solved. By cutting out the type of stimulation that it depends on because it's "silly" and "childish", we are depriving ourselves of a large part of our brain potential.
Play is an excellent resource to tap into when it comes to learning of any kind, creative problem solving, and any imaginative task. Play can be used in any kind of training. Today's workplace has to deal with highly charged issues such as diversity, harassment and ethical dilemmas. Play, especially role-play, can diffuse tension, facilitate deeper understanding and new solutions. Trainings that include play are bound to be remembered longer and produce greater changes. They provide a better return on investment, both in human and monetary terms: they create much greater impact than the same amount of time spent in a more passive way, like listening to a lecture or watching a video.
The staff of the Southwest Airlines have been known to dress up like leprechauns to greet passengers. In Ben and Jerry's the employee of the month gets to be wheeled around the whole office building in his desk chair with a crown on his head. These companies have embraced play as a way of life and they hire employees that thrive in that kind of environment. Even if not every industry yields itself to this approach, all companies can create a culture where play, emotional rewards and fun can have their place. A satisfied limbic brain is more willing to cooperate with timeliness, organization and details - the more left-brain demands. What some logically and verbally oriented bosses may consider a frivolous concession or a waste of time can actually benefit the bottom line. When everyone can access all of their brains, pressure can be handled and deadlines can be met. Waste of time can be eliminated by clear communications, avoiding interpersonal conflicts and faster problem solving. And motivation can be kept high.
Paula Oleska
http://www.naturalintelligencesystems.com
Paula Oleska, M.A., started twenty years ago to spread the knowledge of amazing new techniques with gentle but powerful transformational ability. Having built her own successful consulting business around those techniques, she has always been in the forefront of finding the best management practices. Now, she can offer them to you along with the most up-to-date techniques that activate the brain for optimal performance.
==========================================
Stay Creatively Motivated and Focused by Asking 4 Simple Questions
By Lorraine Mulligan
As I settled into my studio recently, to draw, I felt rushed and pressured. Time was short and I needed (wanted) to produce this drawing quickly. Since I'm a part-time artist, I don't always have the time I'd like to dedicate to perfecting my craft. Given that reality, it seems essential that I use the time I do have in the best possible way.
Unfortunately, what resulted on this day was a self-inflicted pressure to produce. I became immobilized when my mind began to race out of control with the woulda coulda shouldas. Ultimately, I became unable to focus on the "task" at hand.
This isn't the first time I'd gone into the studio with such expectations. I suspect I'm not alone when it comes to putting unwanted pressure on the creative process. I want to examine the reasons behind this feeling of urgency and come up with a strategy to deal with it in the future. In order to get to the root of the problem we need to ask ourselves some questions.
1. Is there a pending deadline?
2. Have I created this sense of urgency by procrastinating?
3. Should I be doing something else and return to the art later?
4. Am I expecting every painting or drawing to be a masterpiece?
To get to the root of the problem let's examine these "Pressure to Produce" questions one-by-one.
First, if there is a legitimate pending deadline, perhaps you need to request an extension that will allow you to produce the best possible product. In the future, when establishing deadlines allow yourself sufficient time to accomplish the goal. If there is no deadline, force yourself to relax and enjoy the process.
Second, if procrastination has created the problem, you're in the driver's seat when it comes managing your time. Don't allow procrastination to rob you of the joy-filled artistic process. Procrastination can rear it's ugly head if you're tackling a new subject you're not comfortable with. If that is the case, push past your fear by allowing yourself to do multiple drafts. Then walk away and return to view your work with a "fresh eye" a short time later. I think you'll be surprised to find the piece is better than you realized.
Third, if you should be doing something else (sounds like procrastination), go do it and return to the art when you are done.
And finally, eliminate the pressure to produce a masterpiece every time you are creating art by allowing yourself to explore and experiment with your chosen medium. Creativity can't (and shouldn't) be rushed, but should be savored and enjoyed.
So the next time you find yourself with that pressure to produce mindset, STOP, find the source and remember your art should bring you enjoyment and provide a peaceful escape from day-to-day pressure. What's more this self-induced pressure can work against your creative growth. You alone have the power of release. I urge you now to go forward and create your art with great abandon!
I'm Lorraine Mulligan a/k/a Rainey (Dewey) Mulligan, an artist (and mother of grown sons) living in Upstate New York. I've been painting and drawing since I was very young. I attended an adult ed class in 1989, at our local high school, that helped reignite my creativity. Finding the right teacher is paramount and a commitment to doing something creative everyday will pay high dividends in helping you lead a more peace-filled and balanced life. If you're creative, you know there's nothing like the joy art can provide (if you let it). Check out my blog for chatter, musings, art talk and demonstrations at http://www.raineydewey.com
===========================================
Learning to Motivate Yourself
By Shreya Raja
Motivation plays an important role in achieving success in life. Sometimes we get depressed when we find ourselves in problematic situations. In such a situation, there is need to keep control of emotions and hit hard to excel in life. Here are some ways to motivate yourself:
1. Be aware of your needs and goals
One of the major reasons of de-motivation is not being clear about the end goals and hence, lack of knowledge about the direction your career is taking. Analyze your career goals, and create a comprehensive plan to reach where you want to. Knowing your end goals will push you to work harder and keep you motivated.
2. Read inspirational stories and quotes
Spend some time reading inspirational literature, real life success stories and quotes etc. Such reading material not just gives you ideas to make things work for you in face of adversities, but also gives you the strength and motivation to keep going.
3. Stop procrastinating
Laziness and procrastination are the major reasons of things getting delayed and failures. Do not let it affect your work, ever. Stop procrastinating and think about completing your work quickly and focus on quality. This will not only improve your productivity but will also keep you motivated to achieve higher targets.
4. Build alliance at work
Friendly relation ships at work act as great motivators. Allies at work provide the necessary support that you need to grow and succeed. They act as confidants and advisors, when required. Moreover being at the same work place gives them an edge over others because they are better equipped to understand your situation.
5. Think positive
Nothing can be more motivating than positive thoughts. Come what may, think positive. Try to find opportunities and learnings in failures. Keep yourself calm and composure and try to act as a solution provider rather than a negative thinker. A positive attitude gives you the right kind of spirit to fight adversities and emerge as a winner.
The author is also a motivational trainer. She has delivered many lectures on motivational techniques in many universities. Some of her work can be found at http://progressmoney.blogspot.com
By Paula Oleska
During a training on supervision I attended a few years ago the instructor asked: "What are the four words that have been found to have the most motivating effect on people?" The attendees - mostly managers - offered: "I bet you can't do it", "you won't get it", "not on your life". The instructor then revealed the words: "I believe in you". Many people believe that fear, criticism and competition are good motivators. Brain science tells us differently.
Roughly speaking, the brain has three basic structures, each responsible for a different task. The top one governs thinking and the bottom one governs behavior. The middle part, called the limbic brain, is responsible for motivation. It is also the same part of the brain which decides whether the situation at hand is safe. If it perceives a threat, it immediately sends signals that put the whole system in a fight-or -flight response. This shuts down higher brain functions in the top layer including thinking in favor of more instinctual behavior. The limbic brain is then mostly motivated to do what is necessary to survive, without considering how appropriate it is to the situation.
But when the limbic brain feels safe, it provides us with almost limitless energy and persistence to pursue our interests. Think of how small children learn. They repeat the skill they are trying to master, whether it is a new word or a new movement for hours, resting when tired, and coming back to it over and over again. As adults, we have experienced the same tenacity when we are really passionate about something. (Passion, also a hallmark of the limbic brain, is really another word for motivation.) The instructor at that seminar was right: it is much more motivating to create a safe environment by expressing trust and encouragement than by instilling fear.
But there is more to motivation than providing encouragement. The limbic brain also thrives on novelty, stimulation and relationships, while it resents routine, isolation and time constraints. Here is a paradox visible in almost every workplace: keeping everyone serious, focused and on schedule in their cubicles, while expecting them also to be motivated and inspired. In a Dilbert cartoon the manager says: "You have exactly 3 minutes and 27 seconds to come up with our global strategy plan". While many executive personality types apply this approach and see motivation and seriousness as equivocal, the majority of people need something else to motivate them.
In an attempt to provide some limbic stimulation, companies like IBM, Charles Schwab and Fidelity are willing to pay $5000 per hour to humor consultants who essentially tell jokes, as reported recently by The New York Times. However, in the long run, it may be more productive to create working conditions that support the limbic brain. That means making work interesting in a safe environment. What creates a safe environment? In addition to the aforementioned encouragement, it also needs clear expectations, rewards for good work, good communication and rapport.
There is one more very important way to keep the limbic brain stimulated - play. During childhood, play is an important developmental stage for such functions of the limbic brain as imagination, learning, memory, humor and emotional expression. Through play children learn how to relate to others, have empathy, set boundaries and solve problems creatively. Many of these skills are now considered a part of Emotional Intelligence - crucial part of business success.
As adults we often think we have outgrown the limbic part of ourselves precisely because it likes to play. We judge it as being "silly", "childish", and "emotional". We think it is more "adult" to think than feel. We want to learn and solve problems intellectually. However, while intellect certainly plays a big role in these tasks, it is still up to the limbic brain to decide what actually gets learned and solved. By cutting out the type of stimulation that it depends on because it's "silly" and "childish", we are depriving ourselves of a large part of our brain potential.
Play is an excellent resource to tap into when it comes to learning of any kind, creative problem solving, and any imaginative task. Play can be used in any kind of training. Today's workplace has to deal with highly charged issues such as diversity, harassment and ethical dilemmas. Play, especially role-play, can diffuse tension, facilitate deeper understanding and new solutions. Trainings that include play are bound to be remembered longer and produce greater changes. They provide a better return on investment, both in human and monetary terms: they create much greater impact than the same amount of time spent in a more passive way, like listening to a lecture or watching a video.
The staff of the Southwest Airlines have been known to dress up like leprechauns to greet passengers. In Ben and Jerry's the employee of the month gets to be wheeled around the whole office building in his desk chair with a crown on his head. These companies have embraced play as a way of life and they hire employees that thrive in that kind of environment. Even if not every industry yields itself to this approach, all companies can create a culture where play, emotional rewards and fun can have their place. A satisfied limbic brain is more willing to cooperate with timeliness, organization and details - the more left-brain demands. What some logically and verbally oriented bosses may consider a frivolous concession or a waste of time can actually benefit the bottom line. When everyone can access all of their brains, pressure can be handled and deadlines can be met. Waste of time can be eliminated by clear communications, avoiding interpersonal conflicts and faster problem solving. And motivation can be kept high.
Paula Oleska
http://www.naturalintelligencesystems.com
Paula Oleska, M.A., started twenty years ago to spread the knowledge of amazing new techniques with gentle but powerful transformational ability. Having built her own successful consulting business around those techniques, she has always been in the forefront of finding the best management practices. Now, she can offer them to you along with the most up-to-date techniques that activate the brain for optimal performance.
==========================================
Stay Creatively Motivated and Focused by Asking 4 Simple Questions
By Lorraine Mulligan
As I settled into my studio recently, to draw, I felt rushed and pressured. Time was short and I needed (wanted) to produce this drawing quickly. Since I'm a part-time artist, I don't always have the time I'd like to dedicate to perfecting my craft. Given that reality, it seems essential that I use the time I do have in the best possible way.
Unfortunately, what resulted on this day was a self-inflicted pressure to produce. I became immobilized when my mind began to race out of control with the woulda coulda shouldas. Ultimately, I became unable to focus on the "task" at hand.
This isn't the first time I'd gone into the studio with such expectations. I suspect I'm not alone when it comes to putting unwanted pressure on the creative process. I want to examine the reasons behind this feeling of urgency and come up with a strategy to deal with it in the future. In order to get to the root of the problem we need to ask ourselves some questions.
1. Is there a pending deadline?
2. Have I created this sense of urgency by procrastinating?
3. Should I be doing something else and return to the art later?
4. Am I expecting every painting or drawing to be a masterpiece?
To get to the root of the problem let's examine these "Pressure to Produce" questions one-by-one.
First, if there is a legitimate pending deadline, perhaps you need to request an extension that will allow you to produce the best possible product. In the future, when establishing deadlines allow yourself sufficient time to accomplish the goal. If there is no deadline, force yourself to relax and enjoy the process.
Second, if procrastination has created the problem, you're in the driver's seat when it comes managing your time. Don't allow procrastination to rob you of the joy-filled artistic process. Procrastination can rear it's ugly head if you're tackling a new subject you're not comfortable with. If that is the case, push past your fear by allowing yourself to do multiple drafts. Then walk away and return to view your work with a "fresh eye" a short time later. I think you'll be surprised to find the piece is better than you realized.
Third, if you should be doing something else (sounds like procrastination), go do it and return to the art when you are done.
And finally, eliminate the pressure to produce a masterpiece every time you are creating art by allowing yourself to explore and experiment with your chosen medium. Creativity can't (and shouldn't) be rushed, but should be savored and enjoyed.
So the next time you find yourself with that pressure to produce mindset, STOP, find the source and remember your art should bring you enjoyment and provide a peaceful escape from day-to-day pressure. What's more this self-induced pressure can work against your creative growth. You alone have the power of release. I urge you now to go forward and create your art with great abandon!
I'm Lorraine Mulligan a/k/a Rainey (Dewey) Mulligan, an artist (and mother of grown sons) living in Upstate New York. I've been painting and drawing since I was very young. I attended an adult ed class in 1989, at our local high school, that helped reignite my creativity. Finding the right teacher is paramount and a commitment to doing something creative everyday will pay high dividends in helping you lead a more peace-filled and balanced life. If you're creative, you know there's nothing like the joy art can provide (if you let it). Check out my blog for chatter, musings, art talk and demonstrations at http://www.raineydewey.com
===========================================
Learning to Motivate Yourself
By Shreya Raja
Motivation plays an important role in achieving success in life. Sometimes we get depressed when we find ourselves in problematic situations. In such a situation, there is need to keep control of emotions and hit hard to excel in life. Here are some ways to motivate yourself:
1. Be aware of your needs and goals
One of the major reasons of de-motivation is not being clear about the end goals and hence, lack of knowledge about the direction your career is taking. Analyze your career goals, and create a comprehensive plan to reach where you want to. Knowing your end goals will push you to work harder and keep you motivated.
2. Read inspirational stories and quotes
Spend some time reading inspirational literature, real life success stories and quotes etc. Such reading material not just gives you ideas to make things work for you in face of adversities, but also gives you the strength and motivation to keep going.
3. Stop procrastinating
Laziness and procrastination are the major reasons of things getting delayed and failures. Do not let it affect your work, ever. Stop procrastinating and think about completing your work quickly and focus on quality. This will not only improve your productivity but will also keep you motivated to achieve higher targets.
4. Build alliance at work
Friendly relation ships at work act as great motivators. Allies at work provide the necessary support that you need to grow and succeed. They act as confidants and advisors, when required. Moreover being at the same work place gives them an edge over others because they are better equipped to understand your situation.
5. Think positive
Nothing can be more motivating than positive thoughts. Come what may, think positive. Try to find opportunities and learnings in failures. Keep yourself calm and composure and try to act as a solution provider rather than a negative thinker. A positive attitude gives you the right kind of spirit to fight adversities and emerge as a winner.
The author is also a motivational trainer. She has delivered many lectures on motivational techniques in many universities. Some of her work can be found at http://progressmoney.blogspot.com
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