Notebook

Life Improvement

Meetup EventSelf Improvement Concepts Life StrategyPersonal Revolutions

November 12, 2011

2011 Paul Worsham

Agenda

Introduction

Slides & discussion & breaks

Wrap-up and after-discussion

Introduction

This is a first-time presentation of this information

The content is for informational purposes consult a professional before taking action

Ask questions at any time

This information will be put online after the event

Housekeeping notes: If you need to feed a meter, we can help remind you.

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3 steps

Know yourself

Improve yourself

Enjoy your life

3 Things

Know yourself become aware of:Your passions/goals/motivation

Your capabilities

How you (really) function

Improve yourself once you know yourself: Map out how to get to where you want to be

Enjoy your lifeCreate flow in your activities

Happiness recognize, allow, expand it

How Do We Change, Improve?

Just identifying a problem is half solved.

Identifying your own challenges gets you past denial and blockage.

Sometimes you need to act without believing.

mind-body connection

Somewhat obvious, sometimes not

Vision example:Our eyes see pixels - not shapes

Our brain filters, for patterns such as horizontal motion. We can even dictate these filters.

Our mind gets this input, and applies meaning to these pixels and patterns

We see our world

biology, diet, and environmental interactions

Exercise changes the brain in beneficial waysNeurons are created, chemicals are released

Blood flow is increased

Better mood, skin, muscle tone, energy

Confidence

What you eat affects how your body operatesComplex interactions within our biology

Who you are = in your head (brain/mind)

What you eat = who you are able to be (brain performance)

enjoy "flow" in life's activities

Flow a positive mental state of operation ... in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. (Wikipedia)

Enjoyment without trying:The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture, while performing a task, although flow is also described as a deep focus on nothing but the activity not even oneself or one's emotions

focus, willpower, and motivation

Focus situations:Learning

Tasks completing actions, thoughts

Communication

Why USA phone numbers were 7 digits?

Biological focus & follow-through (theory)When running, we have to focus 1 to 5 steps out

The most important decsions are near to us

The better working memory, the smarter?

focus, willpower, and motivation

Willpower Deciding on goals

Prioritization

Focus battling internal & external distractions

MotivationExpected benefits from an activity (reward)

focus, willpower, and motivation

Motivation questions

Now: What are you doing now? Think about the activity that you are doing at this momentNeeded: What result are you working towards, but currently not on track towards? What course of action will move you towards your future happiness towards your goals and vision of the future?Nuance: Honestly assess how will you feel later about your current activity-momentum.Next: Find the very next step an activity that you can do right now].

Emotional Mathematics?

Happy + Loving = Positive SupportHappy + Purpose = Motivated

Anger + Impatience = RevengeAnger + Understanding = Forgiveness

Purpose + Energy = Confidence

(ingredient 1) + (ingredient 2) = Happiness

brain

Human brains are the most complex. Four lobes, folds making each brain unique

Composed of billions of neurons, each with thousands of synapses (connections to other neurons). 80 to 120 billion neurons.

We are born with more connections than we need, and lose them as part of becoming who we are

Belief factor fiction more powerful than fact?

Multi-tasking fact or fiction?

brain plasticity

Neuroplasticity: re-wiring our brains

Refers to the ability of the brain and nervous system in all species to change structurally and functionally as a result of input from the environment. (Wikipedia)

Plasticity occurs on a variety of levels, ranging from cellular changes involved in learning, to large-scale changes involved in cortical remapping in response to injury.

meditation

Practicing meditation may lead to changes in the neurological process, creating physiological health benefitsExamples of benefits include: reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, headaches, pain, elevated blood pressure, improved focus, mood.

limitless

being limitless in pursuit of all that inspires us

what limits us? * physical - boundaries, energy,

* logical - laws, society

* emotional - confidence, social pressure - our interpretations

life planning, blueprinting, setting vision, goals

Parameters for life planning: A blueprint is a structural design.

A plan is how builders take the blueprint, and over time make it a reality.

Plans change, timelines change, flexibility is always needed.

A vision precedes a blueprint; not as detailed.You have a vision, it is what got you here.

long-term vision create one, or use "default".

default = dependent on external influences, training, expectations

Goals

goals - these are milestones.

a goal must have a deadline, or else it is a dream?

Really? Must be someone who likes deadlines.

A goal must have a feeling associated with it, which is perhaps the real goal.

Do you want marriage, or the feelings that it will bring?

the real goal may be happiness - pleasure.

Self-Deception

Understanding how our minds deceive us, and using that constructivelyHow do we decide, anyway?

We think we know ourselves, especially our preferences, but not always.

Marketers continue to study this area. Why? Because if they know us, it will help them.

Destiny

You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Next Thoughts

Meta-cognition thinking about thinkingWhy are you acting/thinking this way?

Think it through what do you really want?

Watch What You Feed Your Brain:You will move towards what you think about

Everyone wants to influence you

Keep learning, growingHappiness set point

Become comfortable with what fits in with your personal sense of destiny & purpose

Wrap-up

What did you get out of today?

What will you remember tomorrow?

What other topics are you interested in covering?

Social time is beneficial to our minds & brains...

(continue sharing with each other)