When Aristotle said … We are what we repeatedly do… he was speaking prophetically about how people rewire their brains daily. Not always in a good way… I should add.
Each time you repeat routines that no longer get good results – you fail further, and your brain wires for more of the same. Have you seen people make choices that carry their firms further into the red?
In contrast, one small act for improvement, can offer new zip to grow … and in response ... the brain rewires for success. New choices can open doors to another shot at success … especially in areas where repetition or tired routines block business growth.
Are you wiring today for growth or for defeat?
Here’s how it works. The brain pays close attention to new knowledge and action.
Few would argue against the fact that different approaches generate new results. Yet far fewer take the risk to start their day with that one new stroke to take advantage of the brain’s propensity to pay more attention to change.
Add an action to one new idea, and you have the recipe for results.
A friend of mine mentally rehearsed his new startup plan. The problem? Each time he considered going after a contract for a joint deal with a local firm, he’d hit a brick wall. A disorganized accountant at the other firm, failed to put together their agreement. As a result, weeks after the proposed staring date, the accountant’s stalled action prevented any progress.
After he made several unreturned calls to the accountant’s office. … my friend decided it was time for a new approach. .
He asked the production team … What one thing can we do differently today… to motivate the startup of our business collaboration tomorrow? They called three different people and arranged a new meeting to draft the agreement together and it worked. How could change add growth to an area your business stalled lately?
When you start a day differently, your brain pays attention.
It’s how your working memory operates, and how creative ideas emerge. Why a new action, though?
Say you come up with an idea to change the communication process at work … but fail to act on your idea soon after it hatched. Your Einstinian notion sits in the working memory a very short time only … and is soon replaced with new demands in your day. It’s kicked out mentally within minutes if not acted upon … to make room for another new fad that floats into the working memory and demands your attention.
Meanwhile the brain’s old stand in routines spring up from secure storage files in the brain’s basal ganglia, and offer old, comfortable solutions for further failure. The key is to try new ideas, soon after they formulate.
Then check for results you can measure, and tweak the process for the next round. Worth a try?
» Pressure, Brain, Engage from Management Craft
Here's a worthy threesome of posts: The Slow Leadership blog asks: Are you in danger of using work pressures as an excuse? Great question to think about. I have known managers who lived in overwhelm and then used overwhelm (which [Read More]
Tracked on: September 11, 2007 10:47 PM | Permalink to Trackback