Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have :

Discovered the complexities of your mind’s 8-step unconscious sequence, helping you understand yourself better and grow as a person.

Mastered the art of retracing your thoughts, using the 8-step sequence as a powerful roadmap for self-reflection, growth, and behavioural improvement.

Discovered how this process enhances your self-awareness, becoming your catalyst for productive change and personal development.

Recognised the profound impact of heightened self-awareness on your ability to interpret, act, and react to events in your life.

Is this like YOU?

� Have you ever caught yourself in cycles of reactions without understanding why?

� Would you like to enhance your self-awareness and gain better control over your thoughts and behaviours?

� Would you like to know the unconscious sequence that drives your mind’s responses?

What will you learn?

You will dive into the understanding of your mind’s 8-step sequence, uncovering the process of interpreting, acting, and reacting.

Specifically, you will explore:
– What this “8-step sequence” is and how it unfolds in your mind.
– How each step sharpens your ability to notice and interpret the meaning of events.
– How knowing each sequence elevates your understanding of your actions and reactions.
– Why understanding consciously this unconscious process is crucial in your personal and professional life.

Reminder – Why learn this?

Armed with this knowledge, you gain the upper hand to:
Direct yourself towards your targetted goals.
Enhance your overall well-being and self-confidence.
Effectively manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviours originating from your PRIMAL mind (Emotional brain).

E-motion brings motion !

Recap previous articles – Your brain architecture

In this article, I frequently mention your PRIMAL and RATIONAL minds, as well as your DATABASE and SENSES.

These components collectively form your brain architecture, a concept explored in detail throughout this article.

As exposed in this article, the PRIMAL mind represents your limbic system, it is your emotional brain.

The RATIONAL mind represents your frontal lobe, it is your rational brain, all details are in this article.

The merger of your PRIMAL (Emotional) & your RATIONAL mind is your THINKING CENTER.
It balances the thinking agenda & positive intent of both PRIMAL & RATIONAL minds. You can find further details about this feature of your brain in this article.

The temporal lobe is responsible for memory function, we refer to it as your DATABASE as explained in this article.

Your SENSES encompass your faculties for sensation, touch, reading, spatial perception, vision, and colour blindness, all of which are exposed in this article.

The MAP of your mind

Your mind follows an unconscious & innate process, characterised by an 8-step sequence:

Step 1: Events
Events are occurring around you.

Step 2: Notice
You notice one specific EVENT via your SENSES.

Step 3: Scan
Your PRIMAL mind scans it (at the THINKING CENTER).

Step 4: Pass information
Your PRIMAL mind forms a perception.
It relays it to your RATIONAL mind (at the THINKING CENTER).

Step 5: Check & answer
Your PRIMAL & RATIONAL mind checks your DATABASE for information about the EVENT, receiving immediate answers.

Step 6: Regulate (If needed)
If no HUGE danger, your RATIONAL mind regulates the input of your PRIMAL mind about the EVENT (at the THINKING CENTER).

Step 7: Interpret
You give a meaning (INTERNAL CONCLUSION) to the EVENT.

Step 7: BODY reaction: BEHAVIOUR & BIOLOGY
This is how your BODY react & how your body responds to that EVENT.

The following provides a step-by-step explanation with examples at each stage.

The MIND MAP 8-step sequence:

Step 1: Events

Events are happening around you and at all times.

Examples:
– A car passing by
– A bird
– An ad for a sofa
– A baby crying
– A person sobbing …

Step 2: Notice (SENSES)

The EVENT that you noticed goes through your SENSES.

This is what you:
– See
– Hear
– Smell
– Taste
– Touch

All information about this brain function is detailed in this article.

Step 3: Scan (PRIMAL mind)

The information about the EVENT goes through to your THINKING CENTER.

The EVENT is initially scanned by your EMOTIONAL (PRIMAL) mind; this is for scouting any danger & threats and attacks.

This is to:
Fulfil
Protect 
➥ Your P.E.M. needs (Physical. Emotional. Material)

Examples:
– Someone offering a drink:
 “Yes” or “No”
➥ Fulfilling PHYSICAL needs

– Someone shout at you:
You might argue with them!
➥ Caring for EGO/SAFETY

– Someone attacking you with a gun
Run away or fight back!
➥ Protecting your SAFETY needs with F.F.F instincts.

All information about your PRIMAL mind is outlined in this article, revealing the source driving your impulses, needs, and instincts.

The EVENT is first scanned by your EMOTIONAL (PRIMAL) mind for scouting danger & threats and attacks.

Step 4: Pass information (PRIMAL & RATIONAL)

As indicated in this article, your PRIMAL mind is in charge of your instinctive reactions: the FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE mechanism (F.F.F.).

If your PRIMAL mind asses an EVENT as a big danger (Examples: Hearing a gunshot, someone attacking you,…) it would take over with its F.F.F. response.

If the EVENT is NOT a HUGE threat, your RATIONAL mind would regulate any PRIMAL thoughts & impulses about the EVENT per your DATABASE content.

This process is presented in this picture:

Example of RATIONAL mind regulation:
– Someone offers you a massive chocolate cake:
You might answer:
“No, thank you because xxx (reasons)”
or “Yeah I would love to, I love chocolate (reasons)“

Whatever it might be, the reason is held in your DATABASE.

If your PRIMAL mind asses an EVENT as a big danger, it would take over with its FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE responses.

If NOT, your RATIONAL mind would regulate any PRIMAL thoughts & impulses per your DATABASE content.

Step 5: Check & answer (DATABASE)

Both minds check into the DATABASE for information checking & relevancy, providing immediate answers.

The DATABASE allows you to make sense of the world as it contains all the information you know.

Examples:
If you read or hear:
–“Chocolate”
–“Rain”
–“Beach”
→ You can make a picture in your mind’s eye, and maybe a sound too.

The DATABASE checking and answering can happen in less than a second.

It contains data about:
– Yourself & the world around you: Beliefs (self-esteem), values, memories.
– Your know-how: Languages, skills, crafts…
– Your how-to: How you like, love, trust…

Examples:
– Someone offering you a massive chocolate cake:

You might answer:
“No, that wouldn’t be good for me” 
➥ As you might KNOW (from your DATABASE) too much sugar “isn’t good for you” (Physical need)

To discover all the components of your DATABASE and raise your self-awareness, visit this article.

Both PRIMAL & RATIONAL minds check into the DATABASE for information checking & relevancy, providing immediate answers.

Step 6: Regulate (RATIONAL mind)

If the EVENT is NOT a huge threat, your RATIONAL mind would regulate any PRIMAL impulses and emotionally based responses.

Example:
– Someone offers you a massive chocolate cake:

You might THINK:
“I would love to, I love chocolate, (impulse and emotionally based response) yet that wouldn’t be good for me (Database check & regulation)” 

You would then SAY:
➥ “No, I am fine, I will have something else please”

The regulation process is done at the THINKING CENTER by your RATIONAL mind.

All information about the RATIONAL mind’s functions, including its ability to regulate thoughts and impulses, is explained in this article.

For more details about your THINKING CENTER, the hub of balancing facts and feelings is articulated in this article.

If the EVENT is not a huge threat, your RATIONAL mind would regulate any PRIMAL impulses and emotional responses.

Step 7: Interpret (INTERNAL CONCLUSION)

At this stage, your brain gives INSTANTLY meaning to the event. This meaning can also be about a situation or someone, this is defining your feelings or emotions.

Examples: happy, sad, unsure, upset, excited).

In this framework, we refer to it as your INTERNAL CONCLUSION.

Examples :
– You see a dog and you might:
➥ Pet the animal or be terrified of it

-You see a meaty & greasy burger and you might:
➥ Get hungry or be disgusted by it

-You hear a song and you might:
➥ Vibe with it or find it annoying.

Simply, an event comes to your attention and your mind gives it meaning INSTANLY.

Simply put, the INTERNAL CONCLUSION gives meaning to the information of that event:
“No, that wouldn’t be good for me” 

Note: The basis of your INTERNAL CONCLUSIONS

The meaning you give to something is based on:

– The content of your DATABASE

– The rationale of the mind running at that time, it can be your PRIMAL mind or a mix of both your RATIONAL & PRIMAL mind.

Example: Remember a time you were caught up in a dispute with a loved one, can you remember which mind was running?

→  Was it under your PRIMAL mind?
Were you having impulsive & short-term emotionally charged thoughts?
Example: “Let’s get off, I want to kill that f*** guy!”

→  Was it under your RATIONAL mind?
Were you considering the dispute with perspective, evaluating its long-term consequences?
Example: Cooling yourself down and offering to speak later to avoid any further escalation.

Recognising and noticing which mind is running at any given time is another self-awareness skill. It is articulated in detail in this article.

Step 7: BODY reaction

Your BODY responds to the INTERNAL CONCLUSION with your:
– BEHAVIOUR
– BIOLOGY

The BEHAVIOUR & BIOLOGY responses occur instantaneously & simultaneously. 

Behaviour

This is what you:
– Do: your actions
– Project: your words, facial expressions & body language

Examples :
Feeling uncomfortable and saying “No” by :
– Frowning
– Turning your raising lip corners 
– Showing no with your hands
– Saying the word “No”

The BEHAVIOUR are your actions and projections, observed externally.

Biology

It is your biological response to deal with certain situations, involving hormones and neurotransmitters.

Biology is what can happen inside the body.

Hormones responses examples

Melatonin:
Released naturally towards the end of the day, it regulates your sleep/wake cycles. It is highly influenced by exposure to sunlight, bright lights and darkness.

Cortisol & adrenaline:
Different hormones are released for perceived high-stress situations: a fight, bungee jumping, an argument, running late and being stuck in traffic/train…

Neurotransmitters responses examples

Endorphins:
These are released when laughing, after exercising …

Dopamine:
Produces good feelings when consuming sugar, and coffee, engaging in sex, or browsing social media.

Oxytocin:
This is the “bonding feeling”, it is triggered by touch, cuddles, petting, strong eye contact… 

Serotonin:
This feels nice and it flows when you feel like you are gaining a “one up” socially: a new job, home, a promotion, a compliment…

Practical applications

Mastering the MIND MAP 8 steps is a valuable tool to improve how well you know yourself. This is a critical asset for self-reflection, growth, setting boundaries and overall behavioural improvement.

As you get the hang of these steps, think of them as your guide for navigating around what’s happening around you.

It is something you can use every day, across several contexts to help you think more clearly and make better choices.

In personal life

Consider a situation where a friend invites you to a late-night event, but you have an early morning meeting the next day. Your PRIMAL thinking process kicks in: you’d love to go out and catch up.

Yet your RATIONAL mind, when consulting your DATABASE for evaluation of the situation, might consider the consequences of going out.

Your RATIONAL mind might help you decide and answer: “I’d love to join, but unfortunately, I have work obligations early tomorrow, so I’ll be for next time.”

In professional life

Picture a work situation where you are facing tight deadlines at work, causing you stress.

With increased self-awareness, you catch early signs like a racing heart or scattered thoughts.

Using consciously your RATIONAL thinking, you can reframe this challenge as an opportunity to showcase your skills.

Consequently, in future tight deadlines situations, you would become more able to regulate these types of thoughts.

You wouldn’t fall under the stress-causing pattern thanks to your elevated self-awareness and RATIONAL self-management.

Ultimately, helping you handle it more efficiently, and approach it confidently.

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article is an extract from the fundamentals of the Calm & Stress Management, Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 🗝️🗺️🧠Unlock your mind’s map: Your 8-step blueprint for self-awareness and rational Thinking first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have:

Unlocked one of your most unconscious body language patterns: the “E-motion/Motion feedback” loop.

Discovered how to take charge & manage your thoughts, mood & feelings using that “E-motion/Motion” effect.

Mastered how to leverage it for instant confidence, communicate vibrant charisma, and also have people around you unconsciously making you feel even more confident.

Leverage the power of social dynamics to enhance your high power stance: this is the virtuous cycle of SELF-PROJECTION to SOCIAL REPUTATION.

Is this like YOU?

� Have you ever had thoughts or feelings that got you:
– Feeling nervous or anxious before something important?
– Got into thoughts that almost freaked yourself out? This is by thinking about what might happen next.
If so, would you like to know an easy technique to get rid of them?

� Would it be useful for you to pick up one of the fundamentals of empowerment in body language?

� Simply put, would you like to learn how to switch from a bad mood to radiating confidence, warmth & charisma?

What will you learn?

You will learn about the “E-motion/Motion” feedback loop, specifically:
– What it does to you & how it impacts you mentally & socially.
– How to leverage that “E-motion/Motion” feedback loop for performance, self-assurance, and allure.

You will also learn how to enhance your high power feeling with the cycle of SELF-PROJECTION to SOCIAL REPUTATION.

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Gear yourself toward the impact & results that you want
Increase your well-being & self-confidence
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour steeming from your PRIMAL mind (Emotional brain)

E-motion brings motion !

Recap previous article – The “E-motion/Motion” looping effect

As exposed in this previous article, we have seen and understood that:

Your emotions have an impact on your motions:

The opposite happens too, your motion has an impact on your emotions:

Your “Motion” can dictate your “E-motion”

The reciprocity between your emotions & motions leads to the below looping effect:

All this is articulated in detail in this article.

With conscious use of the “E-motion/Motion” looping effect, now you can:
Get rid of unwanted emotions & moods
Decide if you want to feel confident, happy, intimidating…
Choose how you can be perceived by others

Snap out it: Get rid of unwanted moods & emotion

Do you feel & show insecurity or confidence?

Realise that certain poses and postures are expressions of inner feelings of confidence or insecurity.

In body language, these are labelled as “high-power” or “low-power”.

Notice how the following postures are “high power postures“, these are indeed expressions of feelings of high self-confidence, strength, and energy.

Empowering/high power pose:
Notice the common patterns with the:
Body: Erected spine & taking lots of space with the arms & legs, these are open & spread.
Head: Held high & up
Face: With happy and/or composed facial expressions: lively eyes, gentle smile …

While the postures below are “low power postures“, these express feelings of awkwardness, powerlessness, fatigue shyness, insecurity, and timidity.

Disempowering/Low power pose
Notice the common patterns with the:
Body: Slounching & taking little space: arms & legs crossed
Head: Down & low
Face: Sad facial expression: pursed lips, eyes frowned & the angles of the eyes are down, eyes are dull in expression…

By adopting a different or opposite posture of what you are feeling, you can feel them less strongly, you can even override any unwanted feelings.

Any unwanted moods & disempowering feelings can be reduced by adopting a high-power posture.

Simply put, get in charge of your feelings by literally “picking yourself up”.

Openness, confidence, warmth, romance, and friendliness … can be felt and communicated if judged to be useful. Do bear in mind that social calibration is key.

This means that you can also use your body, face, and gestures for changing to how you want to feel.

Override any unwanted mood & disempowering feeling by picking yourself up with a high-power posture.

“Take” it to make it: Decide how you want to feel

As your motion (body, face & gesture) is linked to your emotions, through the looping effect you can take on the gesture, posture, and facial expression that you want to feel.

This can be done via the D.A.F sequence (Decide – Act – Feel):
1 – Decide: Which emotion you want to feel?
2 – Act: Move & make motion according to your chosen emotion
3 – Feel: Allow yourself to embrace the feeling of the emotion that you chose

→ D.A.F: Decide, Act & Feel

Overly simplistically put, “take” it to feel it!

Switch it: Feel confident, happy, or intimidating

Below are examples of postures and gestures that you can adopt in order to feel in those ways.

Stress to confidence :

Feeling stressed before a presentation or a meeting?
Get into this high-power & self-confident pose :
Get your chest up, speak with a deep voice, smile & nod slowly …

Anger to happiness :

Going through an angering moment?
Hijack the feeling with this victory pose & a smile:
Open up your body, start taking space, open your eyes, embrace what you can see around you, and get your hands up & with positive gestures: victory sign, thumbs up …

Intimidated to threatening :

Feeling intimidated?
Cast that feeling away with this powerful & threatening pose:
Get your chest up, lower your head with a predatory gaze, look into people for more than a second, get your hands close to your body, or put it behind your back …

These are empowering postures that can alleviate any unwanted feelings & moods: stressed, upset, scared, …. and switch yourself into attitudes you’d like to feel.

Switch it to feel it!

Note : Self-awareness & social awareness are necessary
As much as these poses can be done when alone and with others, it is key to have:
Self-awareness to notice your emotions
Social awareness so that you can calibrate your poses according to the social context & power dynamics.

→ All of this is explained in the “Emotional Intelligence” course.

Take charge of your feelings by taking charge of your posture

The POWER of SELF-PROJECTION to SOCIAL REPUTATION

Leverage social proof

By leveraging social dynamics, You can increase your chosen feeling or attitude/mood.

Simply put, whatever you have chosen to feel, you can increase that feeling thanks to the input of others, this means feeling more confidence or any other high-power feeling: Warmth, charisma, strength…

This is a virtuous and sequential circle that starts with:

– Step 1: Your self-PERCEPTION
You consciously signal a high-power attitude when alone and/or with others.
→ Your self-perception (you)

– Step 2: Your self-PROJECTION
You maintain it so that the people around you will perceive it.
→ Your self-projection (you & others)

– Step 3: Your social PERCEPTION
You keep and stay steady with your projected high-power attitude until others unconsciously perceive it.
→ Your social perception (you & others)

– Step 4: Your social REPUTATION
Over time your projected high-power attitude will become their norm with you, and they will reflect it to you, this is the power of social dynamics.
→ Your social reputation (others & you)

This sequence set the positive cycle of projection & reputation!

Simply put:
“How you treat yourself becomes how others treat you”

Calibration & consistency is key

The importance & impact of CALIBRATION

Calibration remains CRITICAL when dealing with social interactions, this means that you would want to signal cues that are relevant and appropriate to the situation.

A counter-example is shouting when talking to a friend in the quiet section of a library, it is not appropriate to that context.

Calibration can be improved over time with practice and experimentation.

The importance of CONSISTENCY

When doing so with people who ALREADY know you, it is most likely to take more time. As it might be necessary for them to adjust. This is because of the existing social dynamics amongst you. With new people, the adjustment period would be much shorter and even take a very short moment.

In both cases, it is up to you to calibrate your attitude and maintain it.

Social dynamics & time

What is social dynamic?

Social dynamics is the observation and assessment of the interaction between a person and other individuals or groups. When meeting new people, most of us set up social dynamics unconsciously: Who influences whom? Who leads and who follows whom? Who respects and who abuses whom?

Examples of social dynamics
– The manager & employee relationship
– The older sibling leading the younger siblings
– The bullies bullying the bullied

The importance & impact of TIME with CALIBRATION

As mentioned previously, social dynamics are very important when using the power of SELF-PROJECTION to SOCIAL PERCEPTION.

When leveraging your SELF-PROJECTION for SOCIAL REPUTATION, you might receive pushback from people with whom you have an existing social dynamic.

This is because they already know you!
They might not expect anything different from what they already know of you.

Therefore, the social perception and adjustment, from a low to a high-power attitude, might take more time.

An example: A bullied person staying or changing schools
If a bullied person stays in the same school and decides to adopt a high-power postures, more than likely that person will get a big pushback from the existing bullies.
While in a new school and with new people, the other students might received more openly the high power signalling as the social dynamic aren’t yet set.
→ This example is as relevant to all social circles as all social circles are conditionned by social dynamics.

Due to the complexity of social dynamics, calibrating your high-power signalling & staying consistent with it is even more crucial.

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article is an extract from the fundamentals of the Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 🚀 Boost your mood in a heartbeat: Power up your E-motion with motion! 💃🕺 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have:

Picked up the necessary knowledge to observe body language: Motion detection

Uncovered one of your most unconscious body language patterns: the “E-motion/Motion” looping effect.

Noticed how this unconscious pattern exposes your E-motions and even what is on your mind.

Realised how this E-motion/Motion” looping pattern dictates your motions: how you move, your posture, gestures & facial expressions.

Uncovered how this innate pattern forces you to behave one way or the other.

Appreciated how this unconscious pattern of “E-motion/Motion” can improve or worsen your well-being & state of mind.

Is this like YOU?

� Would it be useful for you to:
– Raise your self-awareness & social awareness on body language basics?
– Increase your understanding of the importance of body language & its impact on how you feel?
– Learn about your innate drive and instinct, coming from both your body and mind, to act in very specific ways?

What will you learn?

You will learn about the “E-motion/Motion” feedback loop, specifically:
– What it does to you
– How it impacts you mentally, physically & socially.

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Gear yourself toward the impact & results that you want
Increase your self-awareness and social awareness
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour stemming from your PRIMAL mind (Emotional brain)

E-motion brings motion !

Motion detection: What to observe in body language

Motions: Face, body, movements & voice

When interacting with others, do you know what to look out for when observing their body language?

You look at their non-verbal signals, this means paying attention to everything other than what they say.

Observing non-verbal signals are specifically 4 elements:
– VOICE: Sounds & silences
– FACE: Expression & micro-expressions
– BODY: Posture
– MOVEMENTS: Gestures & speed

Observing non-verbal signals is paying attention to everything except their words.

Noticing the changes in the voice, face, body & movements.

In this article, we will focus on the FACE, BODY & MOVEMENTS elements of non-verbal communication.

“E-motion gives Motion” effect

E-motions showed by your motions (how you move)

As you may have already noticed, when FEELING a mood/emotion or THINKING certain thoughts, your body expresses it.

Examples:

Happiness :

Face: Eyes bright & open smile …
Body: chest up
Movements: Arms open, taking space …

Hurt :

Face: Eyes closed, head to the side, closed mouth …
Body: Chest down
Movements: Hands crossed, close to the body, slow and not taking space …

Anger:

Face: Eyes clenched, eyebrows frowning, mouth, closed or open with narrowing of the lip corners …
Body: Chest out
Movements: Hands are clinched, moving fast and taking space …

Suspicion :

Face: Eyes clenched, head to the side, pursed mouth …
Body: Chest turned to the side
Movements: Hands are crossed, in front of or near the body, …

Shock/Surprise:

Face: Eyes wide open in disbelief, eyebrows and forehead raised, mouth open and jaw dropped …
Body: Chest up …
Movements: Hands to the face or side,

These examples demonstrate the obvious & natural pattern of:

→  What you think & feel is what you do with your face, body, and gestures (non-verbal signals), this process often occurs unconsciously.

Your E-motions are expressed unconsciously by your motions: face, body & gestures (Non-verbal).

“Motion brings E-Motion” effect

Mind and body harmony

After learning & understanding the “E-Motion TO Motion”, you can also realise how your body and mind have to be in harmony, this means “Motion WITH E-Motion”.

This means that your body & mind have to be congruent & in sync. You can verify this right now with the exercises below.

How good is your body & mind harmony

In these exercises, you can adopt the following poses & postures (non-verbals) and say the suggested sentences (verbal).

As each of these hold different vocal & physical meanings, you can see if you can feel that need for “staying in sync”.

You will most likely realise this innate need for congruency, which will make your mind & body bug. This would be like a computer bugging when running two conflicting programs at the same time: switching on & switching off.

Exercise # 1: Get annoyed & hold a victory pose

1 – Remember something that annoyed you
2 – Put a smile on your face & hold a victory pose (High-power pose)
3 – Now, keep smiling and keep remembering that annoying time
4 – Keep remembering your annoying story & maintain that smile all along

� Are you able to feel annoyed, or can you not?

→ Most likely you can’t and this is thanks to your body and mind congruence.

Exercise # 2: Put your head down & claim that you feel energised

1 – Take this depressed posture (Low-power pose)
2 – Kneel or crouch, put your head down, hands in between your head
3 – Mumble & say quietly: “I feel happy & full of energy”

� How do you feel?

→ Most likely you would feel the opposite of feeling happy & full of energy!

Exercise # 3: Flex your biceps hard & claim that you feel depressed

1 – Take this pose (High power pose)
2 – Pump your chest out & flex hard your biceps, do it hard and strong
3 – Say very LOUDLY “I feel depressed & and down”

� How do you feel?

→ Most likely, you would feel the opposite of feeling depressed & down!

Your inability to feel the opposite of what your body is doing is due to the necessary congruency of your “E-motion” with your “motion”.

Your “E-motion” has to be in harmony with your “motion”.

Your posture can make you feel worse

Science fact
In a study group by Riskind, J.H and Gotay, C.C (1982) “Physical posture: Could it have regulating or feedback effects on Motivation and emotion?” (Motivation & emotion 6 273-98), two groups of participants were asked to do the same task yet with different postures:

– The first group was asked to do it with a hunched & tensing posture.

– The second group was asked to do the SAME task, do it with a straight spine.

→ Result of the study :
The participants of the first group with the hunched posture reported:
– Higher levels of stress
– Lots of stomach knots

Note:
A hunched & tensed posture is a low-power behavioural expression, which is linked to fatigue, insecurity, and lethargy.
A straight spine with your chest up is a high-power stance, which is linked to energy, confidence, and strength.

Your posture can improve or worsen your moods or feelings :
→ Your “Motion” can impact your “E-motion”

The “E-motion/Motion” looping effect

Following how Motion impacts E-motion, you can start noticing the looping effect of how “E-motion/Motion:

Any unwanted moods & disempowering feelings can be reduced or replaced with a high-power posture, this is via the “E-motion/Motion” looping effect.

In the next article, you will learn how to master the “E-motion/Motion” looping effect, with it, you can:
Get rid of unwanted emotions & moods
Decide if you want to feel confident, happy, intimidating…
Choose how you can be perceived by others & leverage it to turn it into a recurrent social dynamic.

With the “E-motion/Motion” looping effect, unwanted moods can be diminished with a high-power posture

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article is an extract from the fundamentals of the Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 💡 Unlock Success: Master the Art of “E-Motion & Motion” – Your guide to body language brilliance! 🚀 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

What you will learn today will get you to :

Realise the benefits of mindfulness for most aspects of your life.

Grasp what mindfulness is

Discover how mindfulness can benefit you

Separate the myths from science about mindfulness

Is this like YOU?

� Have you ever had thoughts that got you to :
– Check out mentally when you are learning or speaking to someone?
– Go blank, during a presentation or an interview?
– Freak yourself out by thinking about what could happen next?

� When you are stressed or overwhelmed, have you ever wanted to disconnect?

� Have you ever heard of mindfulness & yet haven’t really grasped what it is?

What will you learn?

You will learn about mindfulness, specifically:
– What it is
– Why you need it
– Its scientific studies
– Its core principles

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to manage any unwanted thoughts or behavior coming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind.

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Gear yourself toward the impact & results you want
Increase your well-being & happiness
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour steeming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

E-motion brings motion !

Reminder – Your instinct to CONSTANTLY interpret information

As exposed previously in this article, your instinct is to CONSTANTLY interpret information.

Your brain is set to constantly give meaning to a present experience in reference to your past, future, or incoming consequences.

We are too often busy judging, interpreting & reacting instead of just being present.

Why do you need to be mindful?

These CONSTANT thoughts can disturb your focus, it doesn’t allow you to be fully present & immersed in that moment.

Would it be helpful to you to:

STOP this internal chatter?
Move your attention is on what’s happening?
Be immersed by listening & observing?
Respond instead of reacting?

→ The capacity to be in the present moment can be developed with mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness

The benefits of mindfulness

Once practiced and mastered, mindfulness will deliver numerous short & long-term benefits.

Short-term benefits of mindfulness: 

Relax you and appease your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind patterns

Raise your conscious awareness of your thoughts & feelings

Become familiar with your own mind

Learning to be awake and present in important moments of your life

Long-term benefits of mindfulness: 

Develop your body awareness:
This is crucial in establishing the foundation of the awareness of your thoughts.
This is because your body can be your notification system
Your body acts and reacts before you consciously do as highlighted in this article.

Your body act & react before you do

Learn to relate in an alternative way to challenges.

Enter easily a flow state or be “In the zone” :
It is your mental state when you are immersed & focused on an activity.
In that state, you are fully involved and perform excellently and naturally in this activity.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is your ability to CONSCIOUSLY pay attention without any judgment to :

– Your inner world :
Current body sensations, feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

– The outer world :
Nature, people, place, and anything else that is around at that present moment

Mindfulness is your ability to experience the present moment & without any judgement

What did the science say about mindfulness?

Leading academic research institutions have demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness.

Science fact

Their studies have shown that with constant practice, structural and functional changes occur in the brain, some of these are :

– Grey matter increase in the brain regions in charge of muscle control, sensory perception, memory, emotions, speech, decision making, and self-control – Research by Hoezel and Lazar of Harvard University, and others, published in 2011

– Decreased brain activation in the amygdala (PRIMAL emotional mind) – Research by Goldin and Gross of Stanford University, published in 2010

– Increased brain activity in the prefrontal cortex (RATIONAL brain), in charge of regulation of your emotions & stress levels – Research by Davidson of The University of Wisconsin – Madison published in 2012 & 2013.

2 formal practices: Body scan & breathing

There are essentially 2 formal practices of mindfulness, the length and focus vary upon the practice, there is:

– Mindfulness with the body scan

In this long-form practice, the practitioner brings awareness by feeling any sensation to EVERY part of the body one after the other. 

As it is less than 30 minutes, this is best suited for early morning or late evening practice.

– Mindfulness of breathing

In this short-form practice, the practitioner brings awareness to ONLY the breath, this is about 10 minutes so it can be practiced during the day and pretty much any time you can.

Note: You can practice by listening to the audio tape in this article

The 3 core principles

Whatever the form, the 3 core principles of mindfulness practice are :

Principle 1: Notice what you notice and as far as possible, without judgment or expectation, 

Principle 2 : Bring your awareness to whatever sensations that you may find, moment by moment

Principle 3: Use your body and breath, as your home base for your attention

Enjoyed this article?

This article is an extract of the Calm & stress management & Emotional intelligence workshops.

These workshops are a transformative blend of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these courses, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until the next time go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post ⚡️🧠 Supercharge your mind with Mindfulness: Crush stress, boost focus, and find your happy place!😊🏡 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have :

Raised your self-awareness of your emotional patterns

Discovered your existing emotional/PRIMAL patterns

Realised HOW your PRIMAL mind influences some of your behaviours, reactions & attitudes

Is this like YOU?

Did it ever happen to you:

� Take things “too” personally?

� Not stop yourself from indulging?

� Feel uncomfortable about situations & later realise that “It wasn’t that bad”?

What will you learn?

You will learn about the 3 temperament features of your PRIMAL mind.

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Gear yourself toward the impact & results you want
Increase your well-being & confidence
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour stemming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

E-motion brings motion !

Reminder – Your PRIMAL mind is part of your brain architecture, follows a thought process & holds functions

This article is a part of the series about your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind.

The 1rst article demonstrated how your PRIMAL (Emotional) is a MAJOR part of your brain architecture, you can read it to understand what you are made of.

The 2nd article introduced what are your PRIMAL (Emotional) functions & thought processes.

PRIMAL temperament feature # 1: Insecurity

PRIMAL – ALL or NOTHING Thinking

Situations are seen in :
→ Black & white
→ No silver linings

Examples: ALL or NOTHING Thinking:
– “End of the world !”
– “The best thing ever !!”

Situations can often be perceived as :
– Catastrophic
– Short-sighted
– Framed as “Winners OR losers”

PRIMAL paranoia (Not factual)

Seeks out threats & danger from situations/places with NO factual danger

Example: At work, the manager is doing an unannounced visit:
➔ Staff may worry about their job security (Threat detected by the personal alarm!)
➔ Is there FACTUAL reasons that threaten your job security? Underperformance, absences, …

PRIMAL temperament feature # 2: EGO invested

Self-centred – “About ME ?!”

  The PRIMAL (emotional) mind brings ANY information for self-assessment:
➔ “It is about ME ?!”

Example # 1: Self-centred –“About ME ?!“
Notice when you might say :
–“I like tea with milk”
➔ In response, people may answer/think :
–“Yeah, me too” OR
– “No, I don’t like tea” …

Example # 2: Self-centred – “About ME ?!”
– Have you ever heard people laughing when you are walking by?
– And then thought?
➔ “Are they laughing at me?”

This means that whenever someone is doing something :
➔ It is always about YOU & always about THEM

Self-serving – “ME first !”

Your PRIMAL mind has an innate instinct to :
✓ Focus ONLY you!
✓ Have LOW/NO consideration for other’s needs

Self-righteous – “Not ME !”

 The blame-shifting nature of the PRIMAL (emotional) goes along the lines of :
➔ “I am right, you’re wrong !”
➔ “It’s YOUR fault, not mine !!”
➔ “I am innocent, it is because of the others”

Examples: Self-righteous- “Not ME !”
– In a heated argument, parties would try to prove that the others are wrong & it is ALL the others’ fault.
– Each party would claim to be “innocent” or “have nothing to do with it”

PRIMAL temperament feature # 3: Hedonistic

Act on IMPULSES

  Actions & decisions are with :
– Focus on NOW ➔ Short-term GAIN/PLEASURE
– Quick to judge/decide
– NO consideration for LATER/long term
– NO consideration for consequences

Examples: Act on IMPULSES
– Being so angry to argue with someone & eventually physically fight
– Wishing that person dead !!
– Overeating junk food: cookies, sweets …
– Binge drinking
– Unprotected intercourse (no precautions)

➔ No consideration of consequences:
– How you would feel after/the next day?
– What will be the impact on your physical & mental health?

Avoid PAIN & feel-good NOW

✓ Take the easiest path
✓ Take the path of the least resistance
✓ Make plans on what feels good immediately

Examples: Avoid PAIN & feel-good NOW
 – Ordering takeaway in bed instead of standing up, cooking & washing the dishes afterwards
– Skipping the gym session to rest when rest is not needed!

How useful is your PRIMAL mind?

Your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind is in charge of your emotions, as explained in this article.

Now consider these practical cases involving your PRIMAL mind :

– Love is beautiful ➔ It can also become excessive & possessive jealousy
– Anger can protect you ➔ You can also badly hurt someone & get you in jail
– Planning is helpful ➔ While extreme worrying is not

➔ The PRIMAL mind has good intentions for oneself

➔ Your PRIMAL mind might require CALIBRATION IN EXECUTION

RATIONAL mind plays a crucial role in regulating your PRIMAL intentions

How good are you at managing your PRIMAL patterns

You can become an expert in self-management with your CITIZEN mind (Rational brain) by :

Discovering its features

Mastering its process & methods of execution

This is explained in this article.

Enjoyed this article?

This article is an extract from the calm & stress management & Emotional intelligence workshops.

These workshops are a transformative blend of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these courses, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until the next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 🤯 Disclosing your PRIMAL mind nature : How to escape the pitfalls of ego, insecurity & fleeting love! 💔 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have :

Raised your awareness of one of your instincts

Realised how this instinct prevents your optimal performance in ALL aspects of your life

Set foundational knowledge for improving your cognitive skills

Is this like YOU?

When speaking and dealing with others, did it ever happen to you to :
� Check out when others are speaking to you?
� Lose track of what they are saying?
� Wander off mentally when you are learning?

Also, did it ever happen to you to :
� Go blank, during a presentation or when speaking to someone?
� Freak yourself out by thinking about what could happen next?

What will you learn?

You will :
– Learn about your natural instinct to constantly interpret
– Find out how it prevents you from doing things naturally
– Understand how mindfulness can help with that

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Increase your self-awareness
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour steeming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

E-motion brings motion !

Reminder – Your brain innate sequence

As presented in the mind map article, your brain follows an innate sequence of :

• Perception
• Interpretation
• Reaction

Your instinct to CONSTANTLY interpret information

Notice how our minds are naturally, automatically & CONSTANTLY interpreting information.
Our brains are wired to give meaning to the present experience 

As highlighted in this article, often the interpretation is either in reference to your:

• Past 
• Future consequences
• Incoming consequences (Not present)

Event example #1: You see someone running/exercising

Interpretation/meaning examples : 

→ Past
– It can remind you of how you used to run or that you never liked running.

→ Incoming consequences
– It may remind you that you can’t be bothered to exercise today.

→ Future consequences
– Or that you might try to get back on exercising this weekend

Your brain is set for constantly give meaning to a present experience

This in reference to your past, future or incoming consequences

Event example #2: You are being asked to do a presentation

Interpretation/meaning examples : 

→ Past
– It reminds you of the last time you did a presentation

→ Past
– It may trigger events linked to memories that might be recalled as unhelpful “Last time it was a disaster”

→ Immediate consequences
– You may think how it feels uncomfortable to have that many eyes on you

→ Future consequences
– While presenting, you may feel that the audience is not really listening and that you have to do well otherwise people will laugh at you.

What does science say about thoughts?

Science fact

According to this article, a study suggested that the people observed have more than 6,000 thoughts per day.

A psychotherapist in this article indicated that a good amount of these thoughts are either about the past or the future, specifically about:

– What went wrong?
– What will go wrong?

→ What does this say about your thoughts? 

Realise that these behaviours are essentially caused by your internal chatter, your thoughts.

→ How come these thoughts prevent you from performing well?

Your THOUGHTS can HURT your performance

Why this instinct worsens your performance

Realise that in these examples and eventually in your own life experience, you can notice that often we are busy interpreting, judging, and thinking.

All of this instead of just being present.

We are busy judging, interpreting & reacting instead of just being present

Would it be helpful to :
STOP this internal chatter?
Move your attention to what’s happening?
Be immersed by listening & observing?
Respond instead of reacting?

This internal chatter PREVENTS you from entering a flow state or “being in the zone”.

To be or not to be “in the zone“

Be “in the zone” or a flow state, is your mental state when you are fully immersed & focused on an activity.

In that state, you are fully involved, you can perform well and naturally in this activity.

Note :
Internal chatter prevents you from “being in the zone”.

These thoughts are constantly disturbing your focus, it doesn’t allow you to be fully present & immersed in the moment.

Internal chatter STOPS you from “being in the zone” & immersed in the present moment

→ How effective will you be once you mastered how to be mindful of the “present moment”?

Maximise your performance with mindfulness

The capacity to be in the present moment can be developed by mindfulness practice.

Its benefits are numerous as exposed by several scientifical research all highlighted in this article.

Enjoyed this article?

This article is an extract of calm & stress management & Emotional intelligence workshops.

These workshops are a transformative blend of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 🎭🚀Unmasking the silent killer of success: How interpretation is secretly sabotaging your performance! 🚨 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have :

Raised further your self-awareness

Improved your understanding of HOW your mind works

Realised HOW your PRIMAL & RATIONAL minds impact your behaviours, reactions & attitudes

Understood the root cause of the “battles” in your mind

Is this like YOU?

� Have you ever hesitated or even battled between 2 courses of action? Or more?

� Would it be useful for you to discover your UNCONSCIOUS & EXISTING decision-making process?

� Have you ever thought that you got “too emotional”?

What will you learn?

You will learn about your “thinking centre”, specifically:
– What it is
– How it works
– What it does for you
– Why it is the root cause of the “battles” in your mind

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Increase your self-awareness
Gear yourself toward the impact & results you want
Increase your well-being & self-confidence
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour stemming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

E-motion brings motion !

What is the thinking centre?

It is the merger of your PRIMAL (Emotional) & your RATIONAL mind.

The “thinking centre” balances the thinking agenda & positive intent of each mind.

This allows both minds to function in harmony most of the time.

Each mind intertwines its process and sets your thought process.

RECAP – PRIMAL & RATIONAL thought process & conclusion

Thought process & conclusion
FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS
= NO/LOW RATIONALITY
= 100 % SUBJECTIVE

Thought process & conclusion
FACTS + PERSPECTIVE
= OBJECTIVITY

The “Thinking center” is the merger of your PRIMAL (Emotional) & RATIONAL thinking

The role – Harmony of facts & emotions

The balance is operated with:

The RATIONAL mind (Hippocampus) remembers the dry facts & features

The PRIMAL (Emotional) mind (Amygdala) retains the emotion (meaning) given to those facts.

→ The emotional “labelling” of an event is explained in this article.

Science fact
Each mind is semi-independent and yet interconnected to your brain circuitry as highlighted in this article & this article.

Harmony example: The 2 lanes highway & 2 your minds

The scene

– Picture yourself in a taxi on a two-lane highway.

– Imagine yourself as a passenger in this taxi, with your taxi driver at the front.

– Ahead of your taxi, there is another car moving very slowly.

The action

– Now, you noticed your taxi driver manoeuvring and trying to overtake that slow car ahead of you.

– As your taxi driver started the overtaking, you also noticed another car coming to you in the opposite direction.

– That car is coming fast and ready for a head-on collision with your taxi.

– All of a sudden, your driver managed to swing back the car you are

– You are now back in your lane.

The end

– You all narrowly missed a head-on collision.

– Now, you remain safe and stick to your lane.

Example – RATIONAL mind recalls facts & features

In this example, after that event, your RATIONAL mind (hippocampus) would retain the facts & features of the incident, it might remember:

– Which road
– What time
– What day
– Who was with you there
– What the other car looked like

Example – PRIMAL (Emotional) mind recalls the emotion

Still with this example, when recalling that event, your PRIMAL(Emotional) mind would recall its emotion.

At the time of the event, your PRIMAL(Emotional) mind:
– Sets the feeling
– Remembers the feeling

→  In that example, it is very likely to be set as FEAR & ANXIETY

The facts, specifics, and emotions would allow you to form a perception of the event.

Examples of perception of that event:
– “Overtaking a car is dangerous“
– “I won’t hire another taxi, I will drive it all myself”
– “I am scared of cars“

This can be used as a reference for future events, and it is set into your DATABASE.

The RATIONAL mind (Hippocampus) recall the facts & features

The PRIMAL (Emotional) mind (Amygdala) recall the emotion given to those facts

The function – Interpret & regulate information

As highlighted here, your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind is your PERSONAL ALARM/RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

It is in charge of your instinctive reactions: the FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE mechanism (F.F.F.).

This means that ALL information is FIRST scanned by the PRIMAL (Emotional) mind.

Both thinking agendas are then merged, and in most cases, both find harmony with the following sequence:

• Event:
  You notice an event via your senses.

• 1rst – PRIMAL PERCEPTION
  The PRIMAL (Emotional) mind delivers the emotion/feeling & informs the RATIONAL mind.

• 2nd – RATIONAL REGULATION
  The RATIONAL mind refines & sometimes regulates the inputs of the PRIMAL (emotional) mind.

All information is FIRST scanned by the PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

Example :
– Event:
Sees an unhealthy sweet/savoury treat.

– PRIMAL PERCEPTION:
“I am so hungry, let’s have some of it, just a little bit”

– RATIONAL REGULATION:
“Yeah, that would taste nice, but it wouldn’t be good for my health, I will eat something healthier”

Emotions are essential to thoughts & thoughts are essential to emotions

The process – 4 steps to interpretation

This unconscious & innate process can be characterised by a 4-step process:

Step 1: SCAN
SCAN the information with your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind.
This is for scouting any IMMEDIATE attack, threats & danger.
→ If any, your PRIMAL is taking over the WHOLE thinking (innate F.F.F response, reflexes)

If your PRIMAL mind asses an EVENT as a big danger (Examples: Hearing a gunshot, someone attacking you, …) it would take over with its F.F.F. response.

If the EVENT is NOT a HUGE threat, it would relay the information to your RATIONAL mind (at the THINKING CENTER).

Step 2: PASS
PASS the information to your RATIONAL mind.

Step 3: CHECK
CHECK the information with your DATABASE & it provides data.

Step 4: INTERPRET
INTERPRET the information under the thought patterns: Distort, Ignore or Generalise.

These patterns are exposed in the emotional intelligence workshops.

Note on the DATABASE :
The DATABASE can be programmed to settle any PRIMAL (Emotional) mind patterns before it is triggered.

→ Change your DATABASE content so that your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind doesn’t get triggered.

Example:
People with a fear of public speaking vs people who don’t fear it and instead enjoy it
→ The major difference is the content in their DATABASE content (Memories, beliefs …)

This process is articulated in the emotional intelligence workshop.

The WHY – Your mind “battles” with your thinking

When your emotion(s) linked to a set of facts are very strong (anger, depression…), it can push back your RATIONAL thinking.

It can take over & blur the rationality coming from the RATIONAL mind.

This emotional high-jacking can lead to:

→ The mental harmony being “broken“
→ “Internal mind battles” in your head
→ Not taking any decisions

Example :
– Should I leave this relationship?
– Should I stay in this relationship?

Note :
When experiencing these “mind battles”, it is essential to master self-awareness & self-management, these key concepts are defined here.

It is also as important to have consideration of the impact on others and how you can best modulate your interactions while keeping your objectives in mind, this social intelligence at its peak.

Enjoyed this article?

This article is an extract from the fundamentals of Calm & stress management, Social intelligence & Emotional intelligence workshops.

These workshops are a transformative blend of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these courses, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post 🤯🧠 Mind in Turmoil? Discover fundamental truths for harmony & clarity 🚀🔍 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Brain architecture – What will you get from this article?

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have:

Understood the different brain features, that run you and your behaviour

Set the foundational knowledge to raise your social and self-awareness

Noticed how each brain part impacts you, also how it impacts your daily actions & decisions, and including NOW!

Realised with your own experience, how these brain functions can empower or disempower you

Picked up the necessary knowledge for learning self-management

Is this like YOU?

� Have you ever had thoughts or behaviour about a situation in the “heat of the moment”?
And once you “cooled down”, had a different thought about it?

� Would it be useful to understand why you might change your mind so often?
Or do you know why you might have “battles” in your mind?

� Would it also be helpful, to understand why you might be “so emotional” at times?
And also discover, where this is coming from.

What will you learn?

You will learn about your brain architecture, what it is, its neuroscientific studies and its core uses.

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:

Increase your self-awareness
Pave the way to learn how to manage yourself, for your well-being & self-confidence
Gear yourself toward the impact, success & well-being that you wish to attain
Manage any unwanted EMOTIONAL thoughts or behaviour

E-motion brings motion !

Confucius said:
“He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.”

Or simply put:

→ “The mightiest warrior is the one that conquers oneself”

Brain architecture – Understand your brain to manage yourself

As highlighted in this article and numerous other neuroscience studies, your brain is made of several parts, with each fulfilling its uses & purposes.

The limbic system

It is your emotional brain, it is in charge of your:

• Emotions (anger, fear…)
• Nervous system (Pain, pleasure…)
• Hunger & thirst
• Sexual satisfaction
• Smell
• Memory

Note :
The emotional brain is wired to ALL THE SYSTEMS within your brain.

The frontal lobe

It is your reasoning function, simply put, your rational brain. It is also in charge of your:

• Thinking & initiation
• Reasoning
• Movement
• Memory
• Speaking

The Temporal lobe

It is your memory function, it is also in charge of your:

• Behaviours
• Understanding languages
• Hearing

The Parietal lobe

It is one of your sensing functions, it is in charge of:

• Sensation/touch
• Reading
• Spatial perception

The Occipital lobe

It is another of your sensing functions, specifically, it is in charge of:

• Vision
• Colour blindness

Brain basics – 2 minds & 2 support systems

To ease your understanding and the management of your brain, we will simplify your complex brain with 4 avatars.

Your 2 minds

• The limbic system is the PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain)

• The frontal lobe is the RATIONAL MIND

Your 2 support systems

• The Temporal lobe is the “DATABASE”

• The Parietal and occipital lobe are the “SENSES”

Note :
This modelling is not exactly scientifically accurate.
It provides an easy & intuitive basis for understanding & managing your brain.

Your 2 minds & 2 support systems, form your brain architecture.

It is all interlinked via billions of neuronal connections across different areas of your brain.

These connections enable lightning-fast communication among neurons that specialise in different brain functions.

Who runs your brain? Emotional or Rational mind?

Based on HOW you think, brain scanners have demonstrated where the blood supply goes in your brain:

– When feeling highly emotional (angry, anxious, procrastinating, stressed … )

→ The blood supply goes to your Limbic system: the PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain)

– When thinking calmly & relaxed

→ The blood goes to your Frontal lobe: the RATIONAL MIND

Notice the difference with your own experience

You can recognise when you think with your PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain) or with your RATIONAL MIND.

Think about your past actions & interactions

Can you remember when you may have…

– Said, thought or did certain things in the “heat of the moment”?
Maybe you were upset THEN and moments or days LATER, when thinking about it, have you ever thought that it was maybe a bit ”unnecessary or uncalled-for”?

– Terrifying worries about something or a situation?
And have you also later found out that “It was not so bad after all!”?

– “Battles” in your head about what to do?

Now, start to reflect on your day-to-day life

Can you remember when you may have…

– Shed tears up or get emotional when watching or witnessing something touching? A wedding, a sad film… Have you also ever, days later, thought that “It was a bit much”?

– Different thoughts about the same situation?
Even within the same day or the next days or months?

– Smiled when seeing babies or puppies?

– Thoughts, feelings or behaviours that you regret?

– Felt hopeless and desperate after a breakup?
And maybe just laugh about it now?

Do you notice that “switch” in your thinking?

→ Here are the 2 minds operating at different times!

Note:
You can rule out the idea that emotions are “bad” and it is not meant to have any.
The following quote from Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, hits the mark about emotions.

“The problem is not with emotionality, it’s with the appropriateness of emotion & its expression”

Aristotle

Find out more about your PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain) & RATIONAL MIND in these articles.

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article extracted from the fundamentals of the Calm & Stress Management, Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post Why do you do things you regret? 🤔 Brain science secrets revealed for emotional awareness 🧠✨ first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have:

Realised WHAT functions your PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain) does for you

Discovered HOW your PRIMAL MIND thinks

Became aware of HOW your PRIMAL MIND drives your life, daily decisions & even this present moment!

Is this like YOU?

Did it ever happen to you to :

� Got crazy mad, enraged or got too emotional?

� Jumped to conclusions? Even if it could have felt later like paranoia?

� Got too suspicious or anxious, even if there were NO factual reasons?

What will you learn?

You will learn about your PRIMAL MIND and its:
– Functions
– Thinking & conclusion processes

Reminder – Why learn this?

Once you recognise the THOUGHT PATTERN of your PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain), you will be in an improved position to:

Gear yourself toward the impact & results that you want
Increase your well-being & self-confidence
Manage any unwanted thoughts or behaviour stemming from your PRIMAL MIND

E-motion brings motion !

Recap previous article – Your PRIMAL MIND & the Brain Architecture

The PRIMAL MIND represents your limbic system.

Your limbic system is essentially the hub of your emotions, it has also several other functions & it follows several patterns.

For simplicity purposes, we will refer to it as your PRIMAL MIND.

As highlighted in this article, it is a major KEY part of your brain architecture, you can read it to understand what you are made of.

PRIMAL mind (Emotional brain) functions

PRIMAL Function #1 – Emotions

Emotions are mental states linked to pleasure or displeasure (PAIN or GAIN)

Different emotions & different intensities :
–  Hate – Love
–  Anger – Happy
–  Sad – Upbeat
– Anxious – Confident
– Lazy – Motivated

PRIMAL Function #2 – Instincts

Your instincts are your:

– Innate way of acting/responding:
Example:
Hunger, thirst, sexual desires …

– Fast & quick in its response

PRIMAL Function #3 – F.F.F responses

Your F.F.F responses are your FIGHT, FLIGHT & FREEZE mechanisms against dangers & threats.

Freeze is to stay still & hope that the threat will go.
➔ It can be avoiding, siding with, or giving in to the “threat”.

Note: Instincts & F.F.F responses

Instincts & F.F.F responses are your most natural responses.

These are innate responses to situations linked to a:
– Massive pleasure (Gain)
– HIGH-level threat (Pain)

Examples: Instincts & F.F.F responses

Instinct example # 1 – Smile when seeing & hearing babies (Gain)

Instinct example # 2 – Rush when crossing the road & noticing an incoming vehicle (Pain)

Instinct example # 3 – See a dog coming towards you, do you pet it OR do you avoid it?

PRIMAL Function #4 – Personal radar

Your PRIMAL mind is CONSTANTLY :

✓ Scanning information to detect :
– Gain, pleasures & benefits
– Pain, danger, threats & attacks

✓ Fulfilling your needs

✓ Checking in with CONSCIOUS & UNCONSCIOUS “Survival” questions:

The “survival” questions:
– “Is this something I hate/like?”
– “Can it hurt me?”
– “Will it benefit me?”
– “Is this something I fear?” 

Example: Day-to-day scenario: Someone giving away furniture to you
– Person: “You can take this furniture, I don’t use it”
– You: “I actually don’t need it, I don’t have enough space”
– Person: “It will cost me to remove it, so please take it”

→ Notice, how the conversation is driven by each party trying to fulfil their needs:
– I don’t use it”
– I actually don’t need it
– It will cost me

Note: When answering these “Survival” questions
If answering “Yes” about a MASSIVE GAIN or MASSIVE PAIN

➔ Your PRIMAL mind takes over your WHOLE thinking!

PRIMAL Function #5 – Tap into unconscious memories

Your PRIMAL mind can allow you to remember your most unconscious & forgotten memories.

These can be memories that you may have forgotten about, they remain in your unconscious mind until something/someone may trigger it.

Once you see or hear something that may make you remember, that trigger may remind your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind that you saw or heard this before.

Example:
Hearing the theme song or the opening sequence of your childhood cartoon.

Maybe your favourite Disney or anything else that you watched during your childhood.

How does your PRIMAL MIND (Emotional brain) mind think?

Thoughts & conclusion process: FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS

Thought process & conclusion
FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS

 Examples of statements with FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS :
– “They are looking a bit weird to me”
– “They seem dodgy”
–“ As soon as I met them, I knew I couldn’t stand them”

➔ Where is the FACTUAL evidence with such statements?

NO rationality & 100 % subjective

This thought process & conclusion of FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS = leads to:

= No or LOW RATIONALITY
= 100 % SUBJECTIVE (“ME focused”)

Examples: NO RATIONALITY & SUBJECTIVE
– “Everybody is against ME!”
– “Why is it always ME that gets it wrong?!!”
– “It never works for ME !!”

Conclusion process: conclude first & search for evidence later

The PRIMAL MIND formulates conclusions/opinions by:

1rst: Make a conclusion
It is based on: FEELINGS + IMPRESSIONS

2nd: Search “Non-factual” evidence
To back up the “Impression” conclusion

Examples: PRIMAL conclusions

1rst: Conclusion
– “I don’t like these people”
– “They look odd and shady”

2nd: “Non-factual” evidence search
– “They look like the people who robbed me”
– “I don’t know, that’s what these people do”

Are these patterns familiar to you?
Do YOU follow these patterns, or do you know someone following them

Whenever you can recognise any PRIMAL thoughts, you can increase your:

 ✓  Self-awareness
 ✓ Self-management

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article is an extract from the fundamentals of the Calm & Stress Management, Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well-being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post Losing control? 🤯 Falling victim to worries?! 😰 Understand your emotions 💪💥 first appeared on Release your BEST.

Is this FOR you?

By the end of this article, you will have :

Set the foundational knowledge for self-management

Realised WHAT functions your RATIONAL mind does for you

Discovered HOW your RATIONAL mind think

Became aware of HOW your RATIONAL mind can assist with your decisions

Grasped HOW to leverage your RATIONAL mind capabilities for improving your performance & well-being

Is this like YOU?

Did it ever happen to you to :

� Got really MAD and immediately stop yourself from saying or doing something? Knowing that you know you might regret it LATER?

� Placed ALL the blame on others or the circumstances? And LATER thought you might have “played a part” in this too?

� Had a perception about a situation? And at a LATER time, noticed that it lacked a bit of perspective?

→ This was your RATIONAL mind unconsciously taking action!

With this article, you will learn how to leverage it CONSCIOUSLY.

What will you learn?

You will learn about your RATIONAL mind and its:
– Functions
– Thinking & conclusion processes

Reminder – Why learn this?

With this knowledge, you would be in an improved position to:
Increase your self-awareness
Leverage your existing ability to manage yourself, this is for improving your impact and success
Manage any unwanted thoughts, or behaviour stemming from your PRIMAL (Emotional) mind

E-motion brings motion !

Recap previous articles – Your RATIONAL mind & your brain architecture

Your RATIONAL mind is a part of your brain architecture.

The RATIONAL mind represents your frontal lobe.

This is explained in detail in this article, you can read it to understand what you are made of.

RATIONAL mind functions

RATIONAL mind function #1 – SELF-CONTROL & WILL POWER

The RATIONAL mind is the operator of self-control, it can:
– Delay the innate PRIMAL (emotional) mind drives to seek immediate pleasure/rewards
– Allow you to work towards your long-term GAIN

Example: The temptations of sweets, cheese, alcohol or those “funky” cigarette
Imagine in front of you, there are many sweets or cheese or alcohol or those “funky” cigarettes.
Picture anything in front of you that you enjoy and that you know could be harmful in the long term.

You may think:
– “That looks like fun !” (Probably your PRIMAL mind kicking in)
And you may also think:
– “I won’t feel good tomorrow if I eat/drink this, so I will NOT eat/drink all of this”

Notice that:
“I won’t feel good tomorrow if I eat/drink this → Self-control
“So I will NOT eat/drink all of this” → Willpower

Note on willpower:
Willpower is a form of self-control, as it involves doing something that may:
– Not be “fun at first”, it can include pushing yourself through PAIN
– Restrain any impulses to stop that PAIN
– Work for a long-term GAIN

Example:
You go exercising (PAIN)
→ For health benefits (GAIN)

Science fact: Consequence of no frontal lobe activity
As reported in this article from the “National Library of Medicine”, certain individuals had their personalities altered following damage to their RATIONAL mind (frontal lobe).

Such damage occurred from an accident, an illness, a disorder…

These people, affected by such damage to their RATIONAL mind, have become disinhibited persons and they also lost their judgment.

They became apathetic (have no empathy) or developed outbursts of aggressive behaviour.

RATIONAL mind function #2 – EMOTIONAL REGULATOR

When facing difficult situations, the RATIONAL mind (Prefrontal lobe) assists you, with regulating your emotions sent by your PRIMAL mind (Limbic system).

Example:
Stopping yourself from the irresistible urge to tell your clients or manager to “GO AWAY !!”

Science fact & example with alcohol

When alcohol is consumed, it reaches the frontal lobe, and it causes loss of reason, loss of inhibitions and loss of self-restraint.

When intoxicated, notice that people may do or say things that they would not do when sober!

The following study has also reported that alcoholism causes permanent damage, to the RATIONAL mind (Prefrontal lobe).

How does your RATIONAL mind think?

Thought & conclusion : FACTS + PERSPECTIVE

Thought process & conclusion
FACTS + PERSPECTIVE

PERSPECTIVE definition:
It is the ability to understand a situation with consideration of:
– How it can appear to another person(s)
– Time & Consequences

Examples: Thought process with FACTS + PERSPECTIVE
– “She might be difficult to get along with, this is given her track record of disputes (Data proof)”

–“He appears to be friendly.
Every time that I spoke with him (Consistency proof), I noticed genuine smiles from him.
Also, he always says hello (Consistency proof), and I saw him being pleasant with others, even with strangers (Social proof)”

Rational mind – Your capacity to think with OBJECTIVITY

This thought process & conclusion of FACTS + PERSPECTIVE leads to:
= OBJECTIVITY

OBJECTIVITY is the ability to not be influenced by feelings when considering facts.

Examples with OBJECTIVITY

– “I might not get the full answer about this situation, but I will focus on the undeniable facts & the truth of the matter”

– “It has been quite effective in the past, what is factually different this time?”

Note about rationality :
Our innate human nature is to be biased as highlighted in this article from Cambridge University.
It is, therefore, crucial to think, as much as possible, based on facts and truths.

RATIONAL PLANNING – Facts search, wait & conclude

Planning with your RATIONAL mind is based on facts, with reflection & it is evidence-based.

The RATIONAL mind formulates its conclusions/opinions by:

1rst: Search for facts & evidences

2nd: Wait
– Delays the conclusion
– Gather further evidence
– Takes time to form a conclusion:
→ Taking time away from the situation & cooling down, allows the blood to flow from the EMOTIONAL part of the brain to the RATIONAL part, as highlighted in our previous article on your brain architecture.

3rd: Conclude
Form a conclusion based on the presented factual evidence.

Note :
As explained in this article, your first perception is very often instinctively done by the PRIMAL mind.
It is then rationalised by the RATIONAL mind, leading to the sequence PRIMAL → RATIONAL.

Example: RATIONAL PLANNING: Facts search, wait & conclude

→ The PRIMAL mind may think “I like this person, I want to buy this workshop!!”

→ RATIONAL PLANNING example:
1rst: Search evidence: Facts & truths
– “I have genuinely learned a lot from the articles and videos, and this over a constant period of time”
– “I also saw many positive testimonials from serious and competent individuals”

2nd: Wait & gather :
– “This knowledge makes sense to me”
– After checking the details of the service, I see how it can benefit me with work and my day-to-day life”

3rd: Form a conclusion based on evidence
– “Buying this workshop will be a returning investment over time.
Given its track record, it is very likely that it will yield positive outcomes in various aspects of my life”

When you learn how to leverage your rational mind capabilities, you can increase your:

 ✓ Think strategically

 ✓ Rationalise

 ✓ Be more resilient

Enjoyed this article & curious to take it to the next level?

Realise that this article is an extract from the fundamentals of the Calm & Stress Management, Social Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence workshops.

These workshops are transformative blends of relaxation, mind management & communication tools & techniques. 

Designed to release your best, these workshops will deliver you the methods to :
Become more relaxed & reduce your stress
Be in charge of your emotions & increase your well being
Develop your leadership & influence

→ For any questions about these workshops, you can schedule your FREE discovery call to find out more.

Up until next time, go learn & go RELEASE YOUR BEST !!!

The post Want to Win? 🏆The science of rational thinking 🧠 🌟 first appeared on Release your BEST.