December 29th, 2009
When you start planning an important task or project in addition to the standard methods it is also worth to try the following “Critical Factors Finding” technique. It allows you to use your skills and experience better and uncovers a few hot spots you would not normally reach. This method will support you greatly in the successful completion of your task.
At the beginning specify precisely the objective that you want to achieve and by when it will be realized. Then imagine in detail that it is the planned day and you have not completed the task. Consider what could have happened and write down all the reasons that come to your head. Simply write them down: analysis and evaluation will be done later.
Now that you have everything on the paper, change the position of your body. If you are standing – sit down, if you are sitting – stand up. Look out through the window and think about what you like the most in this view. Recall the taste of your favorite food.
Then imagine in detail that it is the planned day and you have completed your task with great success. Consider what could have happened and note down the reasons that come Your head. As before, do not analyze them at the moment.
When you finish writing start reading your notes. For each negative event think about a number of ways by which you can avoid it. For the positive ones invent all the ways that can be used to cause such an effect. In any case: focus on what YOU can do and what actions YOU should (or shouldn’t) take.
If your task is complicated divide it into sub-tasks and follow the above steps for each of them.
The method described can help you to find the most important factors that could cause the failure or the success of your plan. And what is even more valuable: you can use it to plan activities that will greatly help you to achieve your success.
Have fun and enjoy!
November 24th, 2009
Why throwing out from your mind as many matters as you can and writing them down in one place make you feel better?
Why do you feel more relaxed and have a sense of control over what you have to do?
Handing over all things, that need to be done only to your head forces you to remember all at the same time. Do you remember that unpleasant feeling “And what I have to do now? Oh, I’ve probably forgotten something!”? Definitely it is more efficient to focus the brain on finding creative solutions rather than on storing the entire directory of problems. Moreover finishing a task from the written list gives you a sense of success and satisfaction with the work done so far, and the inventory list available at any time releases you from the nervous thinking on what step should be next.
Storing the tasks on the list has also another great advantage: every time when you are browsing it, you can decide if you still want to resolve the matter. Maybe it has already lost its value for you, or you can delegate it to someone else? When you have the whole list in your head the matters, which are not resolved occupy your mind and you can easy feel overwhelmed by the excess of tasks. Your brain, following the previous decision made, concluded that there is an open issue, and when you do not cancel it consciously you will be exposed to the subconscious pressure from your mind.
But how can you change your decision, if do not consciously remember that you’ve decided to do something? And here comes the helping hand from the honestly gathered and updated list of tasks.
Do you have an old wardrobe somewhere, which you wanted to clean up some time ago? Or maybe a room where you store things? When you’re passing by such a place you probably remind yourself that you have to clean it. Then you go further, because now you are busy with something else, and the open matter of cleaning is still in the mind demanding your attention. This is very tiring! What can you do in this situation? You can consciously decide that you do not want to make the cleaning at all. You can start tidying up at once. Or you can put this task on your list (you can also add the deadline date there!) freeing your mind from the duty to remember it.
What a greeeat relief!
November 12th, 2009
It’s amazing so few people are aware of such basic things as the model for their own actions. When buying a car they invest in driving lessons, passing license exams. Even using a vacuum cleaner is often preceded by consulting the manual. Don’t you think that the human being is a bit more complicated than the vacuum cleaner, or even a car? Not to mention that we are much more valuable.
One of the fundamental forces pushing us to act are our emotions. Perhaps it’s the only force making us do something – I wonder if I’ve ever made a decisions completely without any emotion and it comes to me, that they have always existed somewhere in the background associated with the objective of taking that decision.However I do not insist that it’s the same in your case.
Anyhow let’s focus on how emotions work. An emotion arises in our body as a reaction to the observed (or imagined!) stimulus. Information about the event received through your senses is interpreted by the brain through a set of your beliefs, values – and then evaluated. It seems to me that no emotions occur without such an evaluation! It constitutes a basis for your brain to command your body to enter into the appropriate (positive or negative) emotion. Next, this emotion can be translated into an action – your behavior, and certainly into your thoughts. And at the end the path will be completed: stimulus, reception, interpretation, emotion, behavior(thought).
An example? While seeing a couple kissing on the street, you might come to a conclusion that this is indecent behavior (on the basis of your beliefs), enter into the emotion of shame and, for example, turn your head away. You might also be glad that people show their love to each other and you can smile widely. Moreover you might recall a similar event from your past coming into the emotion, which you had at the time. What would be the best for you now?
Your senses deliver an observation to your brain, which using your beliefs and values evaluates the situation commanding the emotion, which drives your actions and affects your thoughts.
It’s the way I can see it at the moment, you can agree or disagree – just take anything, which might be useful for you.
Best wishes,
Stanislaw
t’s amazing so few people are aware of
November 12th, 2009
Metlab.pl
Metlab.pl is a site devoted to the biotechnological laboratory. It’s being edited by the team of experts to deliver precise information in a professional, yet straightforward way. The site contains both practical and theoretic descriptions of newest and most useful methods and materials (reagents) used in the biotechnology, such as: western-blot, real-time PCR, chromatography, Elisa and many more.
The news section of Metlab.pl brings to your attention the list of the recent achievements in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
November 12th, 2009
Robert Dilts – From Coach to Awakener
Some time ago I decided I need to learn a few coaching methods in detail. I knew the principles and all the “why-s”. I was familiar with the general approach, I studied many scripts of coaching sessions conducted by the professionals. All I was missing was the very specific tool set and procedures.
To get some advice I asked my friend, ICC coach, Agatha to recommend me a book from which I could get the information. “Yes, there’s one you would love” – she said – ” Get yourself <<From Coach to Awakener>> by Dilts “.
And that was a hundred percent accurate advice. I’ve read the entire book in just five hours and I knew that I would read it again many times.
The first thing that catches your eye while skimming through the table of contents is the word “toolbox” repeated over and over again. In a few words
it’s the real toolbox of a serious life coach and it’s just packed with practice.
Robert Dilts built the whole book on a structure of logical levels of the human neurology. (I’d call it rather the levels of the human personality; more to come!). The logical levels concept is a jewel in itself. I feel I’ll blog about it many times, because the longer I think about the idea, the more possible applications I can find. On each level a person could be coached with a different style of interactions, with a different set of tools and to achieve different goals. Starting from the lowest level the coach should become: a guide (on the environment level), a behavioural coach (on the level of behaviours), a teacher (capabilities), a mentor (on the level of beliefs), a sponsor (on the level of identity), an awakener (on the spiritual level). Dilts gives a preferred approach and a full toolbox for each of those levels.
This coaching handbook is definitely a must for a person interested in coaching skills. You do not need to be a professional coach to use it; if you’re a manager, a trainer or you just want to make progress in personal development – get yourself a copy (click here).
October 21st, 2009
Short guide to the site:
Blog - here you will find my entries on topics related to coaching (in general: personal development), management and IT development. I invite you to comment and share your thoughts!
The Projects tab contains the descriptions of initiatives in which I am currently involved.
On the Resources page you can find links to various resources, seem to be interesting and from which I’ve profited personally: books, films, websites. A must if you’re looking for inspiration !
I’d be delighted if you contact me using the tools contained in the Contact tab. I’ll do my best to answer all the enquiries.
I also posted a collection of professional and personal (Personal) information, including links to my profile on social networking sites. After all it’s a page about me.
Enjoy, share your thoughts and have fun!
Stanisław Zegadło