Clear Thinking 101

by: Steve Gillman

Want clear thinking? Resolve your “mind irritations,” by watching what’s going on in your head. It takes practice, but you can start right now. Sometimes a phone call you need to make quietly bothers you all day, just below consciousness. Maybe you’re worried about an upcoming meeting. How do you find and resolve these things?

Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and tune in to your mind. As you become aware of these stressors, do something to let them go. Make that phone call, or put it on your “to do” list, and your mind will let go of the concern for now. Sometimes bringing a problem to full consciousness and telling yourself, “There is nothing I can do about this until Friday,” will stop the unconscious worrying.

Start tuning into your mind, and you’ll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your brain power. Take care of those things, and clearer thinking is automatic. This is a powerful technique if you use it regularly.

More Tips For Clear Thinking

1. Have clear space. It’s rare that a person can work better in clutter. An organised home or office space means you won’t have the thought “where is that…” distracting your mind.

2. Get enough good sleep. Sleep requirements vary greatly, but the bare minimum for almost everyone is somewhere around five hours. Many of us suffer if we sleep less than seven hours. Research, however, seems to indicate that after some minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important for normal brain function.

3. Try meditating. Close your eyes, relax, and watch your breath. Your mind will wander endlessly, but just continually return your attention to your breath. Do this for even five minutes, and you’ll feel better and think more clearly.

4. Walk. I think the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don’t wait for the proof. There are enough other reasons to take a walk anyhow.

5. Avoid sugar. Eat a large piece of sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You’ll understand “brain fog,” or the “sugar blues.”

6. Breath deeply through your nose. Three deep breaths through your nose is like a mini-meditation. Nose breathing uses your diaphram more, drawing more air in, and therefore pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream and brain.

7. Don’t drink alcohol. A beer or two may help your creativity, but in general, alcohol is a hindrance to clear thinking.

About The Author

Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower enhancement, creative problem solving, and related topics for years. Subscribe to his free Creative Problem Solving Course, and get a free gift at: http://ift.tt/1k5cU9h

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The post Clear Thinking 101 appeared first on Robert JR Graham.

Dissolving Disputes

6 Keys to Resolving Conflict

by: Loretta Love Huff

What can you do when you find yourself embroiled in a conflict with someone?

1. DISTINGUISH FACTS FROM FICTION.

Remember “Dragnet and Sgt. Friday? His famous line was “Just the facts, Ma’am.” We all think our view of the world is the “right” one: the only right one. Recognize that you just have a piece of the ‘truth’. Try creating a police or news report that captures both your view of what happened as well as the view of the person with whom you’re having the conflict. This will help you release your attachment to the ‘right-ness’ of your personal perspective.

When we disagree with someone, we often get worked up over not just the event that happened, but the judgments we made about the situation and the person, the feelings that were evoked in us and the story we make up about what it all means. Take ownership for your own feelings. The other person didn’t “make you feel” a particular way. They did what they did. You chose to feel the way you did. You gave the situation all the meaning it had for you. There was a whole range of emotions you could have felt and conclusions you could have drawn. You picked the ones you did, so notice if they represent a familiar theme in your life.

2. DISTINGUISH MOTIVE AND EMOTIONS

We often assume we know what the other person was intending to do ‘to us’. The only thing we really know is the reaction we had to the other person’s behavior. Recognize that they may not have ‘meant’ to disrespect (or hurt, or ignore or control) you. Also recognize that if you are the perpetrator, just because your motive was innocent, that doesn’t negate the feelings the other person experienced.

3. CONVERT COMPLAINTS TO REQUESTS

Imagine that any complaint (yours or another’s) is really a request in disguise. When we are in situations we don’t like and we feel powerless, the natural response is to complain and blame.

Next time you catch yourself complaining, stop and ask yourself “If something could be different here and I would like that better, what would ‘that’ be?” Then ask for it! Make the request to someone who has the power to grant it. Complaining or making requests to anyone else won’t get your problem solved.

4. START WHERE YOU ARE

Sometimes, you know exactly what you want to say but the words get stuck in your throat like a big wad of chunky peanut butter. There is a clear message to be delivered, but you hesitate to say it aloud out of fear, worry or concern about the other person’s possible reaction. At those times, start with where you’re stuck. Open the dialog with “I’d like to say something, but I’m afraid that I’ll… or you’ll…” You’ll be surprised at the impact that sharing your vulnerability will have on the receptivity of the other person. You’ll also be surprised at how easily the important message will now come out.

5) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION, ROLE OR INFLUENCE.

Recognize that you may have something to do with the continued existence of the problem.

This is generally hard for people to deal with. It’s so much easier to blame someone else for your problems. It’s the “those idiots over there” syndrome. “If they would just…” They may not.

Figure out what actions you can take to solve your own dilemma.

6) FORGIVE AND GIVE YOURSELF A GIFT

Forgiveness is not condoning or even accepting. Forgiving someone in your heart who has ‘wronged’ you, just releases your agony. It does nothing for them. Holding on to your grievance will just keep your blood pressure high. If you can’t muster “I forgive them”, try “I’m willing to forgive them.” Then let it go and let your willingness salve your pain.

Source

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The post Dissolving Disputes appeared first on Robert JR Graham.

Clear Thinking 101

by: Steve Gillman

Want clear thinking? Resolve your “mind irritations,” by watching what’s going on in your head. It takes practice, but you can start right now. Sometimes a phone call you need to make quietly bothers you all day, just below consciousness. Maybe you’re worried about an upcoming meeting. How do you find and resolve these things?

Take a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and tune in to your mind. As you become aware of these stressors, do something to let them go. Make that phone call, or put it on your “to do” list, and your mind will let go of the concern for now. Sometimes bringing a problem to full consciousness and telling yourself, “There is nothing I can do about this until Friday,” will stop the unconscious worrying.

Start tuning into your mind, and you’ll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your brain power. Take care of those things, and clearer thinking is automatic. This is a powerful technique if you use it regularly.

More Tips For Clear Thinking

1. Have clear space. It’s rare that a person can work better in clutter. An organised home or office space means you won’t have the thought “where is that…” distracting your mind.

2. Get enough good sleep. Sleep requirements vary greatly, but the bare minimum for almost everyone is somewhere around five hours. Many of us suffer if we sleep less than seven hours. Research, however, seems to indicate that after some minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important for normal brain function.

3. Try meditating. Close your eyes, relax, and watch your breath. Your mind will wander endlessly, but just continually return your attention to your breath. Do this for even five minutes, and you’ll feel better and think more clearly.

4. Walk. I think the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don’t wait for the proof. There are enough other reasons to take a walk anyhow.

5. Avoid sugar. Eat a large piece of sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. You’ll understand “brain fog,” or the “sugar blues.”

6. Breath deeply through your nose. Three deep breaths through your nose is like a mini-meditation. Nose breathing uses your diaphram more, drawing more air in, and therefore pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream and brain.

7. Don’t drink alcohol. A beer or two may help your creativity, but in general, alcohol is a hindrance to clear thinking.

About The Author

Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower enhancement, creative problem solving, and related topics for years. Subscribe to his free Creative Problem Solving Course, and get a free gift at: http://ift.tt/1k5cU9h

Related articles

• Improv 101: The Key to Thinking Fearlessly


• Paranormal – Re: Astral Projection Exercise


• Linda Buzzell: Neuroscientist Says Green Consciousness Is in Right Brain


• Pivotal Declaration in Debate Over Animal Consciousness


• The Consciousness and Noise


• The Philosophical Baby | Babble


• Activities Proven to Stimulate Your Brain


• How To Handle Lizard-Brain Thinking Attacks


• Mind Over Evolution: An Alternative Vision of Humanity


• Essence of wisdom, page one.

Robert Recommends...

• Disciplining The Mind


• The Study of Consciousness


• Habits Of Mind


• Increase Your Brainpower


• The Language of the Soul


• To Know Your Best Possible Future

The post Clear Thinking 101 appeared first on Robert JR Graham.