.
What would it take to turn your organization around? What would you describe as the one thing that is most important to shift your current status from surviving to thriving? Over a decade ago I was part of a team to develop the strategic master plan for Northern Marianas College. The committee was composed of leadership from staff, faculty and administration, and I was the Faculty Senate President at the time. I went to bed one evening thinking about the discussion that day. The next morning I awoke from a dream, wrote down my thoughts and called it “The One Thing…”
When the team met again, I shared my thoughts with them in order to stimulate some discussion about how we could realize the dream, and the College could position itself as a vital community asset and help stimulate economic growth. We did talk about it, but there was no agreement on what “the one thing” was that could turn things around. In the ensuing years I have seen NMC go through many changes, but we are no closer today to realizing the dream I had of the College in 1999. Many of the challenges we’re experiencing today were the same challenges we faced over a decade ago; however, I still believe it’s not too late for the College to discover “the one thing” and become the example for positive change in the community.
I thought it would be interesting to get comments from individuals working at NMC, so I sent out an email to all the accounts at the College asking for their thoughts on what they feel “the one thing” is that would be the catalyst to turn things around at the College and positively impact the community. Here are their thoughts, with permission from some to include their name. As you read through them, ask yourself if any of the suggestions could benefit your organization and make it a better place to work, or add more to the lives of those it serves.
One respondent wanted to emphasize that NMC was built by the community, for the community, and to benefit the community. It is a public institution that serves individuals locally and abroad; however, the most immediate benefactor of NMC’s work is the local community.
Dave Attao believes that the College should become the center for community transformation – meaning that everyone and any organization can interact with the College “to fulfill or exceed their needs and transform from one former being or entity to a transcending one.”
Others felt that the College should transform itself by developing or enhancing specific traits. A couple of people said that “honesty” is a critical trait that should be the foundation of everything the College does, and it should be personified by its leaders. Frank Sobolewski went so far as to quote a scripture: Do not tell lies to one another (Colossians 3:9). He then prophetically warned that if “NMC is not completely honest with each other, with the Board of Regents, the CNMI Legislature, the Governor, the general public, and WASC, all the rest of what we do in terms of trying to turn NMC around will be doomed to failure sooner or later.”
One individual mentioned the importance of transparency internally as well as on a community level. “Internal audits would be beneficial to measure morale as well as fiduciary responsibility by making key management aware of potential misunderstandings of a particular situation/incident where quality and conduct were not meeting the desired level of expected performance and productivity within a given department.”
Two individuals who did not give permission to use their names mentioned a trait that I thought was insightful: humility. All individuals and organizations will make mistakes, but rarely do they have the humility to admit them, learn from them, and become better in the process.
Two others believed that the one thing is actually a person…specifically a leader. Bruce Johnson mentioned that, as with any successful organization, change will occur through an outstanding leader who is “strong, smart, decisive, imaginative and fearless. George Patton with a Ph.D.”
Geri Willis brought up the point that everyone at the College plays an important role and for NMC to realize the one thing, “all the cogs of the wheel need to be working together toward a common vision, not in isolation, to be successful and reap the benefits.”
In order for people to get on one page and move toward a common vision, a paradigm shift is necessary to realign the culture at the College. Dawn Chrystal Revilla mentioned that for people to understand their roles within the institution, the College must examine everything it does and ask how it serves our students and “assists them in their educational and personal development.” She had the opportunity to work at a division of an institution that adopted a “student centered philosophy” as one of its core values. The steps that were taken to fully live this philosophy empowered individuals to do the right thing with the programs and assets with which they were entrusted.
I believe that many of the comments above can be applied to any organization in the CNMI to make it a better place to work and more importantly, allow it to better serve its customers. In reality, it will take many things to create the change that is necessary to improve and progress; however, what do you believe is the prime factor that is required to realize the dream you might have for your organization? Ask individuals within and outside your organization and you might be surprised by the great responses you’ll hear. Implement the “the one thing,” and you’ll soon start to realize the potential your organization has to add more life to everyone it touches.
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Below is the document that I refer to in the article above. It was included as the forward to the NMC Strategic Master Plan.
The One Thing…
by Rik Villegas
Last night I dreamt I visited a wonderful college on a beautiful, tropical island in the Pacific. As I met with the individuals who worked or learned there, I realized everyone was happy and felt fulfilled in their life. In fact, if you were to ask anyone what they liked most about the college, he or she would say in a nutshell that the college gave them more life.
Students got more out of life because those who graduated were able to get top positions in companies they worked with. Those still attending college were happy with the education they were receiving because they knew the faculty and administration valued them through excellent instruction, the best educational resources, and superior support services.
The faculty and staff felt more life because they were valued by the administration through the excellent support they received in their assignments. They were not only compensated well for their efforts, but they also received a number of non-monetary benefits that made the college a very desirable place to work. Turnover was low, and the quality of education was high because of the premium the college place on hiring and keeping the very best individuals.
The administrators were especially pleased with the smooth operations that were apparent at the institution. They also felt respected by the faculty, staff, students, and community because of the benefit the college offered to the island as a whole. The directors and department chairs quickly and easily took care of almost all of the minor problems that might occasionally occur. This allowed more time for the administrators to focus on planning, and directing the college. It also allowed more time for them to meet with individuals and develop positive relationships with the college personnel and community leaders. Even though the institution had doubled its size in a few short years, there was a family-like spirit that pervaded.
The community felt more life because only a few short years ago they were experiencing an economic downturn that threatened their happy way of life; however, the college was able to do one thing that eventually turned the economy around. Not only did it help the economy, but the college became the institution of choice for high school students and nontraditional students pursuing a degree. This allowed more money to be circulated in the local economy, and more money to be invested for educational excellence. It became a continuous loop of good things getting even better.
Because of the one thing that the college did, the legislators began to realize the value of the college to their children and the community. They changed their attitude from trying to cut the budget of the college to finding more money they could invest in the institution.
Just a few years earlier, the college had been struggling with many issues. The pressures were great and everyone’s morale was low. However, when the solution was found, it changed the whole perspective of the college.
This one thing was like a match lit in the darkness of despair, and it not only brightened the hopes of everyone—it also caused the whole island to believe there was a solution to their economic problems. The college became a leader to the government and community’s businesses for restoring economic stability and adding more to everyone’s life. The one thing was… (I woke up just then. However, the dream could continue, but I think it will take others who are also dreamers to help realize what that one thing is.)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Conquer Your Goliath
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A few weeks ago in a Sunday School class that I teach, we talked about the story of David and Goliath. It’s one of the great passages in that Old Testament that tells about the turning point in David’s life that made him a hero and helped shape his destiny and that of Israel’s.
Many of us face challenges that we feel are too large to overcome. Some of the challenges facing the Commonwealth seem almost impossible against powers that feel like Goliath. Here are five key points from David’s example to help you face your personal challenges or conquer any threat your organization is facing.
1. You must be confident that you can overcome any challenge, no matter how large. David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons and it was his job to feed the family’s sheep. One day his father asked David to deliver some food to his three older brothers who followed King Saul of Israel into battle against the Philistines. When he arrived at their camp, he saw the armies facing each other across the valley of Elah. Each day a massive man, who stood almost ten feet tall, would come out and challenge any man in the Israelite army to battle with him. The winner of the fight would have the other army become their servants. It was the fortieth day that Goliath had come out to taunt and frighten Israel, but the first time that David observed it. While others stood in fear, David’s response is classic: “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David didn’t see a giant who could easily slay any man, he saw a tormentor that mocked the armies of the God of Israel and who needed to be removed. When the words of David reached the King, Saul sent for him and David told the King: “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with the Philistine.”
2. Don’t allow your lack of credentials or experience stop you from moving forward. King Saul pointed out the obvious, that David was too young and untested in war. David had never fought in a battle, nor held any military rank or credentials. Yes, David was confident, but the King and others were not just allowing this overconfident youth to foolishly go against Goliath, they had to trust in him to be their champion, because the loser would obligate the entire army to become the servants to the army of the winner.
David was totally confident that he could meet this challenge and succeed. His incredible faith and trust in the Lord overcame any fear or doubt that caused other men to shrink. You may not have all the credentials that a job or position lists as important, but you should not let that stop you. Many of the best leaders started out with no experience, but they had tremendous confidence in their ability to get the job done. That confidence spreads to others and creates internal enthusiasm and momentum.
3. Use your past successes, no matter how small, to conquer your current challenges. David countered the concern of King Saul and others by telling them a story about how both a lion and a bear took lambs out of his father’s flock, and David pursued them and killed them to save the lambs. He reasoned that even though Goliath is a man, his past success against a lion and bear was adequate proof that he could succeed against the Philistine giant.
You should take advantage of every opportunity to improve yourself professionally. Learn new hobbies, volunteer to try new things at work, or get involved in clubs or groups that will help you learn new skills. Those skills can be developed and used to overcome new challenges. Be sure to document your training and skills with certificates, references and letters of recommendation that can be shared with others.
4. Hit the ground running. Goliath was condescending toward his much smaller adversary and in distain he said: “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.”
David showed absolutely no fear of Goliath and countered him by foretelling his fate. When Goliath arose in anger to meet him, David ran across the valley of Elah to attack the Philistine giant. As he got closer, he slang a stone that hit Goliath in his forehead, and to the dismay of both armies, Goliath fell on his face to the ground.
Once you start working on your challenge, put your whole effort into it. Don’t hesitate or allow others to slow you down. It’s important to get off to a fast start and sustain your momentum so that it carries yourself and others toward your desired results.
5. Don’t stop until you’ve finished the job – persist until you succeed. David had only brought a sling and some stones into battle, and when Goliath fell to the ground, the work was not over yet. If Goliath was only unconscious, he could recover and remain a threat to others. David ran and stood on the giant, then took Goliath’s sword out of his sheath and cut off his head. When the Philistine’s saw their champion was dead, they ran in fear from the pursuing Israelite army.
Too often, people start a project with gusto, but when the going gets tough they hesitate and often don’t finish it. Be consistent and persistent in your efforts to see a job through until it’s complete.
You may be facing challenges that seem insurmountable at the moment. Unfortunately, the biggest Goliath for some people is the challenge they create in their imagination. The constant fear and worry over finances, love relationships, or other issues can cause those concerns to grow into huge obstacles that seem unconquerable. The very act of focusing on the problem rather than the solution can create a self-fulfilling prophecy that brings to pass the very thing one wants to avoid. Face your Goliath with courage, confidence, and persistence and more than half the battle will be won.
“…the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.” – David to Goliath (I Samuel 17: 47)
A few weeks ago in a Sunday School class that I teach, we talked about the story of David and Goliath. It’s one of the great passages in that Old Testament that tells about the turning point in David’s life that made him a hero and helped shape his destiny and that of Israel’s.
Many of us face challenges that we feel are too large to overcome. Some of the challenges facing the Commonwealth seem almost impossible against powers that feel like Goliath. Here are five key points from David’s example to help you face your personal challenges or conquer any threat your organization is facing.
1. You must be confident that you can overcome any challenge, no matter how large. David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons and it was his job to feed the family’s sheep. One day his father asked David to deliver some food to his three older brothers who followed King Saul of Israel into battle against the Philistines. When he arrived at their camp, he saw the armies facing each other across the valley of Elah. Each day a massive man, who stood almost ten feet tall, would come out and challenge any man in the Israelite army to battle with him. The winner of the fight would have the other army become their servants. It was the fortieth day that Goliath had come out to taunt and frighten Israel, but the first time that David observed it. While others stood in fear, David’s response is classic: “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David didn’t see a giant who could easily slay any man, he saw a tormentor that mocked the armies of the God of Israel and who needed to be removed. When the words of David reached the King, Saul sent for him and David told the King: “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with the Philistine.”
2. Don’t allow your lack of credentials or experience stop you from moving forward. King Saul pointed out the obvious, that David was too young and untested in war. David had never fought in a battle, nor held any military rank or credentials. Yes, David was confident, but the King and others were not just allowing this overconfident youth to foolishly go against Goliath, they had to trust in him to be their champion, because the loser would obligate the entire army to become the servants to the army of the winner.
David was totally confident that he could meet this challenge and succeed. His incredible faith and trust in the Lord overcame any fear or doubt that caused other men to shrink. You may not have all the credentials that a job or position lists as important, but you should not let that stop you. Many of the best leaders started out with no experience, but they had tremendous confidence in their ability to get the job done. That confidence spreads to others and creates internal enthusiasm and momentum.
3. Use your past successes, no matter how small, to conquer your current challenges. David countered the concern of King Saul and others by telling them a story about how both a lion and a bear took lambs out of his father’s flock, and David pursued them and killed them to save the lambs. He reasoned that even though Goliath is a man, his past success against a lion and bear was adequate proof that he could succeed against the Philistine giant.
You should take advantage of every opportunity to improve yourself professionally. Learn new hobbies, volunteer to try new things at work, or get involved in clubs or groups that will help you learn new skills. Those skills can be developed and used to overcome new challenges. Be sure to document your training and skills with certificates, references and letters of recommendation that can be shared with others.
4. Hit the ground running. Goliath was condescending toward his much smaller adversary and in distain he said: “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.”
David showed absolutely no fear of Goliath and countered him by foretelling his fate. When Goliath arose in anger to meet him, David ran across the valley of Elah to attack the Philistine giant. As he got closer, he slang a stone that hit Goliath in his forehead, and to the dismay of both armies, Goliath fell on his face to the ground.
Once you start working on your challenge, put your whole effort into it. Don’t hesitate or allow others to slow you down. It’s important to get off to a fast start and sustain your momentum so that it carries yourself and others toward your desired results.
5. Don’t stop until you’ve finished the job – persist until you succeed. David had only brought a sling and some stones into battle, and when Goliath fell to the ground, the work was not over yet. If Goliath was only unconscious, he could recover and remain a threat to others. David ran and stood on the giant, then took Goliath’s sword out of his sheath and cut off his head. When the Philistine’s saw their champion was dead, they ran in fear from the pursuing Israelite army.
Too often, people start a project with gusto, but when the going gets tough they hesitate and often don’t finish it. Be consistent and persistent in your efforts to see a job through until it’s complete.
You may be facing challenges that seem insurmountable at the moment. Unfortunately, the biggest Goliath for some people is the challenge they create in their imagination. The constant fear and worry over finances, love relationships, or other issues can cause those concerns to grow into huge obstacles that seem unconquerable. The very act of focusing on the problem rather than the solution can create a self-fulfilling prophecy that brings to pass the very thing one wants to avoid. Face your Goliath with courage, confidence, and persistence and more than half the battle will be won.
“…the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.” – David to Goliath (I Samuel 17: 47)
Goat Rope
.
When we were going to check our mail in San Vicente, a road construction worker held up a sign that said “SLOW.” I turned to Janel and said, “They don’t have to advertise how slow they are working.” The two mile stretch of “road repair” in San Vicente has been going on for almost eight months now, and it seems to be getting messier by the day.
Just for fun, bring some chairs and your favorite beverage and sit in the middle of the dirt triangle across from the Tudela Retail Store when the traffic is busy. There are no signs or people directing traffic, and if you’ve got a sadistic sense of humor, you’ll be entertained as you watch how all the frustrated drivers try to squeeze their way through constricted, one-vehicle spaces that were previously two-lane roads.
One would think the intent of the project is to improve the road condition and make traffic move more efficiently, but it’s turning into the CNMI’s biggest “goat rope.” What’s amazing, though, is that it seems to work okay for the drivers because I haven’t seen any accidents or road rage issues. It’s proof that drivers in the CNMI are flexible and can deal with difficult situations.
“Goat rope” is American slang for a confusing, messy, or disorganized situation. Its origin comes from how new cowboys were taught the art of roping a moving target, such as a horse or cow. When I worked on my uncle’s farm as a 12-year-old in Holbrook, Idaho, I practiced roping a stationary sawhorse. Trying to rope a moving target exponentially increases the difficulty, and when those moving targets are much larger than you, it also increases the likelihood of getting trampled, dragged, or maimed. So the young cowboys would be put in a corral full of goats, which are smaller and less dangerous. The old timers would gather around the corral with their drinks and whoop and holler as they watched the amusing melee of goats, ropes, and cowboys.
The road construction work is a fitting metaphor for the general mess we’re in. The longer we deal with it, the worst it seems to get. The words "slow," "confusing," "messy," "disorganized," and "frustrating" are words that would fit aptly in a sentence describing your typical interaction with many of the organizations in the CNMI.
Amazingly, there have not been many serious altercations between the organizations and “customers” who are less than satisfied with the service they’re getting. It’s proof that the people in the CNMI are resilient and flexible when they experience inept, incompetent, or inconvenient service. But, do we have to put up with it, or is there a solution?
Although it may be entertaining to watch young cowboys hone their skills on panicked goats, the eventual outcome is that the cowboys will improve their ability and become seasoned ropers. In order for effective change to occur, the leader, manager, or a results-oriented person within an organization must be committed to make improvements. Here are ten steps that can turn a goat rope into a professional operation.
1. Recognize when something is wrong and realize that customers are not pleased.
2. Identify the specific problem areas that need to change. These might be obvious, but it is still good to talk to customers formally or informally to get their feedback and learn if there are unrecognized areas of difficulty.
3. Now it’s time to find solutions that will address the problems. This can come from brainstorming with staff, talking to customers, or doing some research to discover how others have solved similar problems.
4. List the alternatives and prioritize the solutions so you can choose the best one to resolve the problem. Also, identify the expected outcome for the solution so you know what success will look like.
5. Identify the resources needed to implement the solution. Also, create a timeline for the project to be completed.
6. Take action and hold a person responsible to act on the solution. It’s fine to have a group implement the solution, but if the group is collectively made responsible, it will be too easy for members of the group to dissipate the responsibility, which means that no one will feel accountable.
7. Periodically monitor the project to ensure that it is being completed on time and within budget. Create some type of dashboard that reports the most vital results of the project so discrepancies can be quickly identified.
8. Communicate progress to interested parties so they know what is happening. Lack of communication creates anxiety and misunderstanding.
9. When you’ve achieved your desired result, celebrate the accomplishment and recognize those who helped.
10. The last step is to systemize the process so that you won’t slide back into the normal pattern of behavior and find yourself “reinventing the wheel” at some point in the future. If needed, create standard operating procedures that are documented and regularly followed. Organizations with high turnover experience lapses in progress as new people are unaware of any progress that may have been made, and they tend to repeat what has already been done.
If your organization is experiencing the “goat rope” syndrome, then take the goat by the horns and implement these ten steps before someone holds up a “SLOW” sign where you work.
When we were going to check our mail in San Vicente, a road construction worker held up a sign that said “SLOW.” I turned to Janel and said, “They don’t have to advertise how slow they are working.” The two mile stretch of “road repair” in San Vicente has been going on for almost eight months now, and it seems to be getting messier by the day.
Just for fun, bring some chairs and your favorite beverage and sit in the middle of the dirt triangle across from the Tudela Retail Store when the traffic is busy. There are no signs or people directing traffic, and if you’ve got a sadistic sense of humor, you’ll be entertained as you watch how all the frustrated drivers try to squeeze their way through constricted, one-vehicle spaces that were previously two-lane roads.
One would think the intent of the project is to improve the road condition and make traffic move more efficiently, but it’s turning into the CNMI’s biggest “goat rope.” What’s amazing, though, is that it seems to work okay for the drivers because I haven’t seen any accidents or road rage issues. It’s proof that drivers in the CNMI are flexible and can deal with difficult situations.
“Goat rope” is American slang for a confusing, messy, or disorganized situation. Its origin comes from how new cowboys were taught the art of roping a moving target, such as a horse or cow. When I worked on my uncle’s farm as a 12-year-old in Holbrook, Idaho, I practiced roping a stationary sawhorse. Trying to rope a moving target exponentially increases the difficulty, and when those moving targets are much larger than you, it also increases the likelihood of getting trampled, dragged, or maimed. So the young cowboys would be put in a corral full of goats, which are smaller and less dangerous. The old timers would gather around the corral with their drinks and whoop and holler as they watched the amusing melee of goats, ropes, and cowboys.
The road construction work is a fitting metaphor for the general mess we’re in. The longer we deal with it, the worst it seems to get. The words "slow," "confusing," "messy," "disorganized," and "frustrating" are words that would fit aptly in a sentence describing your typical interaction with many of the organizations in the CNMI.
Amazingly, there have not been many serious altercations between the organizations and “customers” who are less than satisfied with the service they’re getting. It’s proof that the people in the CNMI are resilient and flexible when they experience inept, incompetent, or inconvenient service. But, do we have to put up with it, or is there a solution?
Although it may be entertaining to watch young cowboys hone their skills on panicked goats, the eventual outcome is that the cowboys will improve their ability and become seasoned ropers. In order for effective change to occur, the leader, manager, or a results-oriented person within an organization must be committed to make improvements. Here are ten steps that can turn a goat rope into a professional operation.
1. Recognize when something is wrong and realize that customers are not pleased.
2. Identify the specific problem areas that need to change. These might be obvious, but it is still good to talk to customers formally or informally to get their feedback and learn if there are unrecognized areas of difficulty.
3. Now it’s time to find solutions that will address the problems. This can come from brainstorming with staff, talking to customers, or doing some research to discover how others have solved similar problems.
4. List the alternatives and prioritize the solutions so you can choose the best one to resolve the problem. Also, identify the expected outcome for the solution so you know what success will look like.
5. Identify the resources needed to implement the solution. Also, create a timeline for the project to be completed.
6. Take action and hold a person responsible to act on the solution. It’s fine to have a group implement the solution, but if the group is collectively made responsible, it will be too easy for members of the group to dissipate the responsibility, which means that no one will feel accountable.
7. Periodically monitor the project to ensure that it is being completed on time and within budget. Create some type of dashboard that reports the most vital results of the project so discrepancies can be quickly identified.
8. Communicate progress to interested parties so they know what is happening. Lack of communication creates anxiety and misunderstanding.
9. When you’ve achieved your desired result, celebrate the accomplishment and recognize those who helped.
10. The last step is to systemize the process so that you won’t slide back into the normal pattern of behavior and find yourself “reinventing the wheel” at some point in the future. If needed, create standard operating procedures that are documented and regularly followed. Organizations with high turnover experience lapses in progress as new people are unaware of any progress that may have been made, and they tend to repeat what has already been done.
If your organization is experiencing the “goat rope” syndrome, then take the goat by the horns and implement these ten steps before someone holds up a “SLOW” sign where you work.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Renewal
.
I was taught in college that the process of making new brain cells stopped in adolescence and we are basically “hardwired” by the time we start school; however, new findings have turned that theory upside down by stating that we are making new brain cells and neural connections throughout our life. This means that you are capable of changing your attitudes, beliefs, and ultimately your results in life – if you believe you can and want to change.
In order to start learning how to change your brain, you should understand how your brain functions. In a previous article I mentioned that our mind works like a self-correcting guidance system to “steer” us toward the results we expect. In order to take advantage of our cybernetic ability, we should know the Results we want, take Action, and be Self-correcting, which can be remembered by the acronym: RAS.
RAS also stands for reticular activating system, which is the scientific term for a network of nerve pathways about the size of the tip of your little finger. It is located at the base of your brain that connects to the spinal cord, cerebellum, and cerebrum. Your RAS acts as a filter or control center for the billions of bits of sensory data your brain processes every second. Everything you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch passes through this control center, which is then relayed to the appropriate part of your brain for processing. Much of this occurs at a nonconscious level at a speed eight hundred times faster than your conscious brain cells operate. If there is something important to you, your RAS sends a signal to your conscious brain to alert you.
For example, if you’re walking through a noisy airport with hundreds of people talking and lots of ambient noise, not a lot is brought to your attention. However, when an announcement is made over the public address system that states your name or your flight information, your RAS automatically alerts you so you can focus your attention on the important information.
You could also compare your RAS servomechanism to an internet search engine where you type a keyword and within seconds, millions of websites are searched to find relevant pictures, videos, or articles for your inspection. Similarly, your reticular formation scours your neural network in thousandths of a second for all the relevant data you have in your biochemical hard drive. When you plant an idea into your RAS, it will search your brain to find precisely what you want.
If you create a clear picture that has strong emotional appeal (Result), your reticular activating system moves into high gear (Action) and uses your sensory abilities to hone in on anything that is relevant to your goal (Self-correcting). Your intention focuses your attention for retention of anything that can help you successfully achieve your desired result. If you’re in a crowded, noisy room and two people twenty feet away are carrying on a conversation related to your goal, your RAS will focus on that conversation and alert your conscious brain to pay attention.
This marvelous ability of your brain can also work against you depending on what’s been programmed through your beliefs and self-image. For example, if you earn $30,000 and you believe that is all you are worth, then you create a comfort zone and act in ways to maintain that self-image. If you have a million-dollar idea, your RAS will filter it out so you won’t become aware of it or you won’t act on the idea. Research shows that a significant number of lottery winners lose their winnings within five years because their new wealth doesn’t fit their self-image. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards estimates that nearly one-third of lottery winners become bankrupt.
Another way your RAS can work against you is if you program it with what you don’t want. It will cause you to think about the negative thought until you get exactly what you don’t want. This is the reason why people who focus on not being broke, not getting divorced or breaking up, not getting fat, or not failing a class typically get the very thing they’re trying to avoid. The habit of thought around a negative idea produces negative results.
Here are five steps you can take to harness the power of you RAS to become more successful: First, clarity is power. Choose the exact message you send from your conscious to your nonconscious mind. Condition your brain to have clarity so that it knows precisely what you feel is important and what you’re going after.
Second, spend time thinking about your goal each day and imagining the results you want and how it will feel in full sensory detail. You may want to cut pictures out that represent the achievement of your goal and place them where you’ll see them often. Read books, watch movies and listen to music that inspire you and reinforce the image of the new person you want to become.
Third, focus on the positive aspect of your goal, and stop thinking about any negative thoughts about it. Avoid people that are negative and belittle your efforts to change. They act as an anchor to maintain your status quo. As you begin to progress, the negative influencers will have a tendency to pull you back down to a level where they feel most comfortable with you.
Forth, take action. Be aware of the thoughts that your RAS sends to your conscious mind to move you closer to your goal. As you act on the cues given to you through your RAS, you’ll develop greater awareness and you’ll also begin to reinforce your new self-image and provide greater proof why you are worthy of your goal. Keep a journal of your ideas and thoughts. As you create new neural pathways with your new thought patterns you may have bursts of inspiration.
Fifth, once you’ve achieved your goal, reinforce the idea that you deserve your success. If your new self-image is not firmly planted in our mind, you may find yourself slipping back into old habits and moving toward your old self-image.
A similar process can be used to overcome the negative patterns created by a group of people that have a common cause such as families, organizations and communities. The leader of the group must initiate the renewal process and act as the group’s RAS to help initiate change through positive transformation in the shared culture, values, and beliefs. It’s more difficult because there are always dissenters who want to rock the boat and maintain the current situation, but the journey can be worthwhile if the final outcome is consistently communicated and kept at the forefront of the group’s mind.
With a change in your life, family or business, you will have a change in the way you think and interpret the world around you. You will develop new neural pathways that override your negative programming and old habit patterns. It is possible to change and renew yourself. As Napoleon Hill said: “Whatever the mind can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.”
I was taught in college that the process of making new brain cells stopped in adolescence and we are basically “hardwired” by the time we start school; however, new findings have turned that theory upside down by stating that we are making new brain cells and neural connections throughout our life. This means that you are capable of changing your attitudes, beliefs, and ultimately your results in life – if you believe you can and want to change.
In order to start learning how to change your brain, you should understand how your brain functions. In a previous article I mentioned that our mind works like a self-correcting guidance system to “steer” us toward the results we expect. In order to take advantage of our cybernetic ability, we should know the Results we want, take Action, and be Self-correcting, which can be remembered by the acronym: RAS.
RAS also stands for reticular activating system, which is the scientific term for a network of nerve pathways about the size of the tip of your little finger. It is located at the base of your brain that connects to the spinal cord, cerebellum, and cerebrum. Your RAS acts as a filter or control center for the billions of bits of sensory data your brain processes every second. Everything you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch passes through this control center, which is then relayed to the appropriate part of your brain for processing. Much of this occurs at a nonconscious level at a speed eight hundred times faster than your conscious brain cells operate. If there is something important to you, your RAS sends a signal to your conscious brain to alert you.
For example, if you’re walking through a noisy airport with hundreds of people talking and lots of ambient noise, not a lot is brought to your attention. However, when an announcement is made over the public address system that states your name or your flight information, your RAS automatically alerts you so you can focus your attention on the important information.
You could also compare your RAS servomechanism to an internet search engine where you type a keyword and within seconds, millions of websites are searched to find relevant pictures, videos, or articles for your inspection. Similarly, your reticular formation scours your neural network in thousandths of a second for all the relevant data you have in your biochemical hard drive. When you plant an idea into your RAS, it will search your brain to find precisely what you want.
If you create a clear picture that has strong emotional appeal (Result), your reticular activating system moves into high gear (Action) and uses your sensory abilities to hone in on anything that is relevant to your goal (Self-correcting). Your intention focuses your attention for retention of anything that can help you successfully achieve your desired result. If you’re in a crowded, noisy room and two people twenty feet away are carrying on a conversation related to your goal, your RAS will focus on that conversation and alert your conscious brain to pay attention.
This marvelous ability of your brain can also work against you depending on what’s been programmed through your beliefs and self-image. For example, if you earn $30,000 and you believe that is all you are worth, then you create a comfort zone and act in ways to maintain that self-image. If you have a million-dollar idea, your RAS will filter it out so you won’t become aware of it or you won’t act on the idea. Research shows that a significant number of lottery winners lose their winnings within five years because their new wealth doesn’t fit their self-image. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards estimates that nearly one-third of lottery winners become bankrupt.
Another way your RAS can work against you is if you program it with what you don’t want. It will cause you to think about the negative thought until you get exactly what you don’t want. This is the reason why people who focus on not being broke, not getting divorced or breaking up, not getting fat, or not failing a class typically get the very thing they’re trying to avoid. The habit of thought around a negative idea produces negative results.
Here are five steps you can take to harness the power of you RAS to become more successful: First, clarity is power. Choose the exact message you send from your conscious to your nonconscious mind. Condition your brain to have clarity so that it knows precisely what you feel is important and what you’re going after.
Second, spend time thinking about your goal each day and imagining the results you want and how it will feel in full sensory detail. You may want to cut pictures out that represent the achievement of your goal and place them where you’ll see them often. Read books, watch movies and listen to music that inspire you and reinforce the image of the new person you want to become.
Third, focus on the positive aspect of your goal, and stop thinking about any negative thoughts about it. Avoid people that are negative and belittle your efforts to change. They act as an anchor to maintain your status quo. As you begin to progress, the negative influencers will have a tendency to pull you back down to a level where they feel most comfortable with you.
Forth, take action. Be aware of the thoughts that your RAS sends to your conscious mind to move you closer to your goal. As you act on the cues given to you through your RAS, you’ll develop greater awareness and you’ll also begin to reinforce your new self-image and provide greater proof why you are worthy of your goal. Keep a journal of your ideas and thoughts. As you create new neural pathways with your new thought patterns you may have bursts of inspiration.
Fifth, once you’ve achieved your goal, reinforce the idea that you deserve your success. If your new self-image is not firmly planted in our mind, you may find yourself slipping back into old habits and moving toward your old self-image.
A similar process can be used to overcome the negative patterns created by a group of people that have a common cause such as families, organizations and communities. The leader of the group must initiate the renewal process and act as the group’s RAS to help initiate change through positive transformation in the shared culture, values, and beliefs. It’s more difficult because there are always dissenters who want to rock the boat and maintain the current situation, but the journey can be worthwhile if the final outcome is consistently communicated and kept at the forefront of the group’s mind.
With a change in your life, family or business, you will have a change in the way you think and interpret the world around you. You will develop new neural pathways that override your negative programming and old habit patterns. It is possible to change and renew yourself. As Napoleon Hill said: “Whatever the mind can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.”
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