http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk Formula for Change is cutting edge coaching, designed to help you think your way to achieving your desired changes. en-us Copyright 2008 Helen Noble The first commercially viable bionic arm, controlled by the thoughts of the individual to whom it is fitted, is currently featuring in UK news coverage. For you who were watching US or UK TV in the 1970s, the technology envisaged in the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, has now become something of a reality. Indeed the journey into artificial intelligence has proved an enduring one. In recent times, cognitive neuro-psychology has been ‘discovering’ that decision- making is not a purely intellectual endeavour. Now it is widely believed that both rational and emotional factors influence our decisions. Check out the endeavours of www.semaine-project.eu , a multi-million euro project which is seeking to develop emotion recognising computers. Essentially, the concept is to enable the machine to recognise signs of user frustration, boredom or tiredness, by reading your facial expression and responding accordingly… Imagine this, feeling somewhat jaded at the end of a work-heavy week, with the large project laid out in front of you still in need of much attention; and all you can think about is how you can get away from it all during the weekend; when you boot up your machine, as usual, and whilst waiting to click on an icon, a cheery voice chirps up with ‘Hi [Helen], how are you feeling today?’ And this is no pre-recorded gimmick. The voice is waiting for an answer. It’s poised to analyse the intonation in your voice; gauge the relative light or heaviness in your breath; and maybe even identify the slightest hint of sarcasm in your verbal response? What if there is no voice, just the silent scanning of the camera, searching out recognisable emotionally induced facial expressions, as contained within the tell-tale signs of every fold and crease? The project’s authors accord that the computer’s recognition of expression is only as good as the human information contained within the form of algorithms which allow the computer to ‘learn’ the combination of nuances which, in turn, denote ‘normal’ expressions of human emotions. However, humans are notoriously unsuccessful at reading expressions and other forms of body language, for example just consider the amount of research available into the unsuccessful detection of the incidence of lying…And what about the art of false smiling? With the computer be able to detect the deflecting act of putting on a brave face, and beseech the user to come clean with her true feelings? Will the machine be programmed to empathise; and will it ever challenge a stubborn or bored user? What about the user employed by a large corporation who ‘logs’ a high level of negative emotion. What might be his fate on audit? And as to the user who logs a complete lack of emotional response…? Will displays of excessive, inappropriate emotions constitute a breach of the terms of employment? Maybe there will be a test case or two, where the issues of constructive dismissal or the (employer) dreaded discrimination legislation may be put to the ‘test’ in relation to emotional conditions or behaviour? Perhaps the gathered data will form the basis for a longitudinal study into the emotional life of the workforce? Let’s hope it takes account of the fact that higher (than expected) levels of paranoia have been identified in the general public; and that when being watched we tend to behave differently than when we think we are unobserved. How long until we routinely attach electrodes to measure our pulse and sensors to measure bodily secretions? Ok, that might be going too far but, really, can there ever be a true (artificially constructed) reflection of the nature of human emotion? And are we headed towards the attempted creation of artificial emotion? Hmm, smacks somewhat of the Stepford Workplace template to me… What are your thoughts? helen@formulaforchange.co.uk http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=0 Helen Noble Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Look back on your life and the chances are that the things you are good at and enjoy, and the things that you have succeeded at, are one and the same. So why should this come as any surprise? Perhaps that we have been taught to value things other than our innate abilities…or others may have not (yet) recognised our skills and abilities and so we are not sure of them either? It may be that we measure our successes by the standards of others. If so, we are employing a falsely-premised referencing mechanism. The thing is no-one else can know all of the relevant details of our existence and subjective experiences to be in a position to provide a full in-depth and accurate analysis. Some may be able to pitch quite startlingly apt suggestions at us, but really only we have access to the myriad of folders of our memories of thoughts, feelings, images and ideas which make us the unique creatures that we are. That information only becomes known to others if we choose to reveal it though words, pictures, sounds or actions; and/or if we are both highly unaware of, and demonstrative with, our non- verbal communications. The thing is, we create our own memories, by taking all the information available and constructing it in a way that we like, that makes ‘sense’ to us, that suits us! In doing so we write our own story. If we accept that we tend to define others in our lives by the nature of their actions (friends who we eat and drink with; employers/employees/colleagues with whom we discuss work/career issues; peoples of other cultures whose practices of which we have no experience or understanding); and in the process infer that they perform in a certain way because they think or feel a certain way, for example 'she refuses to answer my calls because she's selfish, all wrapped up in herself'; rather than 'she's not returned my calls because she is busy, having many tasks to attend to'; it is useful to consider that in comparison, we tend to define ourselves, and our own existence in terms of external events, such as the demands of our ‘job’; family commitments; our geographical location; current bank balance and such like…. Then, for our story to be more accurately representative of the form of ourselves, it needs also to be written in terms of our own beliefs, thoughts and feelings. After all, these are the agent provocateurs which actually form who we really are, (in terms of ego) and thus how we behave accordingly. On a human level, we can choose the words we use; the images we wish to convey to others ; and the emotions we wish both to feel ourselves and to invoke in others. And as we tend to store somewhat rose tinted memories and have limited ability to predict how we will feel in the 'future'; then an honest appraisal of what we are thinking and how we are feeling right now is a good place to start. And so, with this power, why create a story of anything other than shining success? http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=1 Helen Noble Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have been mulling and musing over the concept of momentum lately. It all started when I was exerting myself on the cross trainer and could feel the extra energy ‘around’ me; the force that kept moving me forwards at a seemingly similar pace, even when I put in less effort. According to the laws of physics, P=MV. That is where P is the momentum; M is the mass; and V the velocity. Momentum can be defined as "mass in motion." All objects have mass; so if an object is moving, then it has momentum - it has its mass in motion. The amount of momentum which an object has is dependent upon two variables: how much ‘stuff’ is moving and how fast that ‘stuff’ is moving. So as expressed as above, in terms of an equation, the momentum of an object is equal to the mass of the object times the velocity of the object. Thus, if I wanted to quantify the value of the energy I (or the mass that is ‘me’ ) was producing, or contributing to the production of, I could apply this formula. However, not being too concerned with producing a definitive measure (as if there is ever such a thing?) I started to think more about the theme of energy in general. When approached on my doorstep by two ladies from a local church with strong views about God, human behaviour and the nature of the ‘afterlife’; I found myself once again reducing things to the conceptual level of energy. One of the fundamental tenets of physics is that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one state to another. So how can we ‘die’? What would happen to our energy, the stuff that’s been facilitating our existence, if we suddenly just failed to subsist? Well there seem to be at least three options… • Energy will dissipate from an area of higher energy to one of lower energy, without the input of additional energy. Think about how the hot tea in your mug soon ‘warms up’ the porcelain you have your hands wrapped around; how the colour from a new piece of red clothing tints your favourite white shirt a uniform pink! So is this an explanation of how our human warmth, mood and expression can directly affect the feelings and therefore the actions of others? • For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that as I push the footplate and handles on the cross trainer, during the very act of pushing or exertion, I will also experience being ‘pushed back’. This is the principle at work behind the propulsion of jet planes and rockets, which expel gases in the opposite direction, and are themselves pushed forward in the process. Therefore it would seem that energetic explosions are, in essence, cyclical and reciprocal. Thus if you instigate a change, something will undoubtedly and noticeably occur within your sphere of influence. • The traditional laws of the conservation of energy and of mass state that these phenomena are intimately intertwined and state that, under normal conditions, the total energy of a contained system and the total mass of that contained system will remain constant. However, fairly recently, though observations of a minute loss of total mass in a closed system have been noted, and this has been attributed to the fact that the mass itself had actually changed into energy. This has led to a modification of the laws, which now assert the provision that mass and energy can actually change into each other. So how to translate or interpret this? It serves as a nice reassurance that whilst on the cross trainer I might well be able to burn unwanted fat! But how about the transformation of energy into mass or matter? The transformational power of thought, maybe? http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=2 Helen Noble Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT So we have developed the cognitive ability to think about the future; to make plans for what or how (inaccurately) we think we want our futures to be; but there are huge glitches in the system; so many errors of understanding; flawed assumptions. Imagination cannot easily transcend the boundaries of the present and project into the future, as we need to use our skills of perception, which are deeply rooted in the present! As is our tendency to judge the actions of other people in the past, by own current thinking and principles, as opposed to how we might have been thinking at that time. Think of George Orwell’s 1984, and how life actually transpired during that year; and ask yourself, is our 2010 about to resemble A Space Odyssey? Yet we have this desire to know and to some extent control what happens in the future. We have developed a considerable array of tools in order to help us achieve this; ranging from psychological personality assessments designed to identify current trends and therefore predict future personal choices; astrological charts to provide a map the influence of the energy of transiting planets on our daily lives; scientific, medical research to enable us to treat and eradicate the occurrence and/or proliferation of bacterial and/or viral infections which we consider a threat to the survival of our species. Predictions about the future are made in the present, they are inevitably influenced by the present, for example a declaration of undying love on your wedding may be heartfelt, however, it will be the feelings and thoughts you are experiencing at a later date, for example perhaps when consulting a divorce lawyer, which determine how you act at that point in the proceedings; and certainly not the way you felt on your wedding day. If we routinely and mistakenly attribute feelings, perhaps failing to feel good about an imaginary future as we are busy feeling bad about a current event, and so we mistakenly conclude that we will feel tomorrow as we feel today, ‘ Ill never finish this project on time’, or forever procrastinating in the belief that ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’; ‘my new exercise regime will start on the weekend’; or I’ll go on a diet after the holiday’, in the genuine belief that we will feel more motivated or energised at some point in the future. Is this then a situation of continuing conflict between reality-induced feelings and imagination- induced feelings… a fulcrum at which we uncontrollably pivot? Bernoulli’s theory that what we objectively achieve (e.g. wealth) is not the same as what we subjectively experience when we get it (increased freedom, choices etc); and so the wisdom of any decision could be calculated by multiplying the ‘probability’ that the decision will give us what we want, by the ‘utility’ of getting what we want. In essence, Bernoulli might be interpreted as asserting that when presented with the hundredth red rose, we will not experience the same amount of pleasure as when we initially received the first (of what would we could not know would amount to a hundred) bloom(s). As human behaviour can be largely regarded as habitual, Gilbert suggests that we become immune to the big picture constantly surrounding us, continually adapting and finding that the uniqueness lessens and as such the overall situation becomes less pleasurable for us (think of the disparity in pleasure experienced on receipt of the hundredth rose, in comparison with the joy of the novel or spontaneous situation of the initial rose received). This desensitization to the bigger picture could also go some way to explaining why the catastrophizing approach to global warming issues does not alarm most people into serious preventative action? Gilbert* posits that as we currently stand in the company of six billion or so other interconnected individual humans, we could use the experiences of others to help us to make more accurate and rewarding choices for our futures. Although we tend to define ourselves in terms of differences between us and others, we are in effect, at least as much like others as we are different from them. He suggests that if we want to predict how we will feel about something tomorrow, we could do worse than seek out someone to whom the same thing is happening today and ask them how/what they feel about it. And as we actively seek out the company of people who we regard as much like ourselves, then we have already narrowed the margin of error. He concludes that it is only by endeavouring to understand how things are, how they work, that we can ever hope to achieve greater success in creating a desirable future for ourselves. In looking for explanations, which if found, serve to reduce the emotional impact of an event, we are thus able to tuck them away into satisfactory categories for storage; and in doing so… we can free ourselves up - to progress on to the next conundrum? *’Stumbling on Happiness’, 2007 http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=3 Helen Noble Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT You’ve probably heard them all, how to: ‘create your own reality/ make manifest your dreams/harness the power of intention/ make thoughts become things’; Albert Einstein is widely quoted as believing that ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’; and more recently the human brain has been described as an ‘anticipation machine’ * So, how did we, as humans learn to preview in our imaginations, events and occurrences which have not yet come to pass? Development of the frontal lobe of the human brain is believed to have occurred sometime in the last 3 million years, forming what we now recognise as our modern, 3 pound brains. The frontal lobe enables human adults with the capacity to consider their own (and others’) extended existence through time. Those without effectively functioning frontal lobes sometimes appear to be living in a permanent state of ‘the present’. Damage to the frontal lobes whether through surgery (in the form of a lobotomy to reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression) or injury, is often seen to interfere with the individual’s ability to plan, or project into the future. However, adults with healthy lobes have, in effect, a ‘time machine’; the ability to ‘journey’ into the future and anticipate how things might look and feel. In contrast, small children cannot say what they want to be when they grow up, or rush themselves when told they are ‘going to be late’, because they have no understanding of the concept of ‘later’. How frustrated I remember feeling when requesting something like a weekend visit to the beach, to receive the habitual adult response of ‘we’ll see!’ ‘We’ll see what? And when?” This was a most unsatisfactory answer to my question or suggestion, although no doubt my parents believed they had successfully and non-committingly dealt with the matter! However, at some point we learn the concept of ‘later’ and start behaving as if we can determine the future events of our lives, by planning and arranging a rosy scenario for ourselves, and sometimes others. Harvard Professor of psychology, Ram Dass, in his classic 1970s text ‘Be Here Now’, states his belief that the key to happiness is to stop thinking about the future, which is primarily achieved by the practice of meditation. Why then does this pose such a challenge? Why does it take years of practice for us to be able to meditate effectively, and how can we ever measure our progress? Daniel Gilbert** asserts that in doing so we are, in effect, battling the very nature of our own highly evolved, frontal lobe functioning. The act of thinking about the future is a source of pleasure. It gives us a sense of control, so assuaging our sense of self-efficacy, which in turn increases our level of happiness. Also Gilbert posits that our fear and anxiety- fuelled thoughts serve to help steer us away from bad choices. So why is it that when we realise that we are in the midst of a happy projection, one we made earlier and stored on the shelf, so to speak, until the time is right, it always feels very different from how we recall imagining it would be? Perhaps you remember the post -exam euphoria you had anticipated following your university ‘finals’, which actually turned out to be just another evening in the regular student haunt, watching the usual suspects drinking too much before dropping their trousers to flash a ‘moonie’…or the birth of your first child, the magic of which quickly dissipates, dropping you onto a treadmill -like routine of changing nappies and preparing of midnight feeds, in-between snatched moments of precious sleep; or that first day of that new job, wearing that new suit, embodying all the empowering status associated with the corporate position, which actually left you feeling over-awed and under -qualified? So how does this mismatch occur…this hiatus between what we imagine and what actually eventuates? Well, the unreliability or fallibility of memory is well documented and now the concept of ‘faulty’ thinking is being applied to the function of imagination. For example, if our memory of feeling happy about something in the past is unreliable in relation to its accuracy, how can we adequately compare our present, let alone our future state of happiness? We all perceive and remember and therefore project our experiences in unique ways. When we attempt to evaluate the apparent experiences of another (for example fame, beauty, success, wealth, famine, tragedy, destitution) we are indulging in an essentially faulty thought process. However their state of experience may appear to us, we have no real concept of how it actually feels for them. Accordingly, when we project ourselves into their ‘shoes’, or seek to import elements of their life into our future existence, in the mistaken belief that those or similar circumstances will make us happy, we are comparing subjective states, filling in the gaps in our knowledge with our fantasies, and therefore can only succeed in drawing faulty conclusions. This is the undoubted result of our human psychological process that ‘combines what our eyes see with what we already think, feel, know, want and believe.*** However, although our brains fill in the gaps with whatever is already encoded in our memory, it appears to ignore other crucial information. For example, as an undergraduate I researched the ‘fear of crime’ for a criminology module. What I discovered was that the least likely’ type of’ person to become the victim of a crime such as personal assault and/or robbery, was an elderly lady living alone. However, when this statistically rare occurrence receives major press coverage, the general public are left with the impression that there is a much greater risk of this type of occurrence and so our ‘fear’ becomes disproportionate to the risk of the event. Gilbert** also asserts that when we consider the distant past or the distant future we tend to express our thoughts in abstract terms, and seek to present them in terms of ‘why’ they occurred or will occur; whereas when dealing with the near past of future, our thinking is more detailed and concrete, expressed more in terms of ‘how’ things happened or are about to happen. Thus it appears that our ability to focus on the ‘now’ is much more detailed and accurate than our ability to project into the past or future. Hmm. More on this to follow, later… *Dennett, D ‘Kinds of Minds’, 1996 **’Stumbling on Happiness’, 2007 ***Kant, I ‘Critique of Pure Reason’ 1781 http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=4 Helen Noble Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Unless you are ultimately financially ‘independent’; or choose not to invest any interest in financial affairs, the looming ‘fear’ of the US ‘credit crunch’ will probably have featured in your thoughts recently. Recent UK news coverage has included reports of the reduction in availability of mortgage products available for prospective property owners, and the word is that, following the lead of the US, the UK property market is facing a severe slump. Economies are essentially cyclical in nature – subject to the processes of expansion and contraction. I remember the last major contraction in the UK property market, it occurred in the early/mid 1990s, when interest rates soared to 15.9%. As a property owner facing increased repayments and a subsequent situation of negative equity at that time, I now find myself some 15 years later still afloat, apparently more financially able and stable, yet still remaining subject to potential economic fluctuations. I have no expertise in economics qualifying me to offer financial advice here, but as with any challenge, (threat, fear, opportunity – however you wish to frame it) I can assert that the only control you can ever hope to exert is on internal, as opposed to external events. Fear is paralysing. The fear of something is also often greater than the effects or consequences of the fearful ‘thing’ itself. If everyone chose to become paralysed by their own sense of fear then surely the consequence would be a societal/economic breakdown? Without doubt, some people will respond with fear and paralysis or other defence mechanisms; others will adopt a philosophical stance; and many will invest in a pragmatic approach. Perhaps the most useful approach in money-relating matters is pragmatic – doing what can be clearly seen to be needed, when it is/will be most effective. For example, if a source of finance or work should dry up, then time and energy might be best spent by out- sourcing, or exploring other potential options, as opposed to bemoaning the current state of affairs. Openness to unexpected opportunities can be optimised at this time. Steps, which may at first appear to be backwards or sideways orientated, might actually prove to be the first steps along whole new avenues of developments. In a climate where availability is limited, it might pay to increasingly avail of yourself. Adopting a flexible approach to your own role and abilities you will open yourself up to greater opportunities; others may view you differently; and you may gain greater prominence in what is usually a saturated market place. Accept that change is needed and embrace the opportunities that come your way. If you are prepared to alter your pace and slip into the contemporary momentum, the ride might prove more fluid and fortuitous for you. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=5 Helen Noble Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Often find yourself on the fringes; on the edge of the unknown; treading a path where the next step isn’t clear…but you somehow know where you have to go/ what you have to do? Perhaps you can (un)usually always see ‘both’ sides of the current story; or recognise multi- faceted dimensions to the picture that no- one else appears to have considered? Maybe you identify strongly with more than one culture, speak a variety of languages; have a range of diverse interest/talents; a few unpredictable career changes detailed on your CV; and generally feel like you don’t belong or fit in snugly to just one place. And yet you are highly successful, an achiever of great things. If so, you could be one amongst the fastest growing and most influential demographic group in Europe and the US, one of ‘The Cultural Creatives’ of our time*. The ‘edge’ has been defined as a position at which choices are created and decisions are made. This is the territory where the familiar and the unknown unceremoniously meet, where openness facilitates and vital learning occurs. By nature this is not a comfortable place, but something akin to the edge of black hole – where from an apparent totality of nothingness, new ideas appear to magically become manifest. Successful edgewalkers are characterised by their trust in their vision and their optimistic belief in success. People who continue to pull new ideas out the hat can be likened to the positive electrons which appear at the edge of a black hole, those that float away from the point of creation and grow or morph into bigger things. Interestingly, it is the negative electrons which ‘fall back’ into the hole, so serving to increase its density and ultimately contribute to the inevitable atomic explosion that occurs. However, having escaped the ‘black hole’, many entrepreneurs; agents of social or cultural change, scientists, often face the paradigm police. These ‘pioneers’ often risk their reputations and economic positions on what appears to be an non-rational proposition, one that does not appear to be ‘measurable’ by way of current statistical frameworks, and is therefore treated with suspicion and viewed as best kept ‘in check’. The nature of the risk is that the walker will ‘fall over the edge’, taking their idea(s) with them. Thus survival depends on the skill of balancing the new with the existing; of keeping the passion for the new alive whilst remaining effective, albeit in a somewhat detached from, in the current (professional) existence. It’s about viewing roles and responsibilities as ‘bridge building’ between the established and the new; as facilitating the flourishing of ideas without becoming embedded in their detail or practical application. Something like keeping your eye on the goal/prize/intended outcome whilst also watching how the rest of the team are playing and seeing where you can best intervene to assist the achievement along its intended direction. Sound like you? www.edgewalkers.org http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=6 Helen Noble Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Much has been written about the social and psychological differences between ‘generations’ of individuals. I once read somewhere the assertion that people resemble their ‘times’, to a greater extent than they resemble their parents. Also, that social and/or cultural conflicts can be attributed to generation ‘gaps’. The current generation ‘Y ‘ category that comprises the young adults amongst us (18 to 30’s ish), amounts to some 20% of the population. Also known as the ‘echo boomers’ or ‘millenials’, this section of contemporary society has been subject to much speculation and some psychological research, appearing to emanate largely from the business and marketing sectors. Generation Y employees are generally said to be: • Highly independent and financially savvy due to childhood experience in dual income or one parent families. • Racially and ethnical diverse to the point that the category of ‘minority’ holds no meaning or relevance for them. • Personally empowered due to an over- indulgent parenting style designed to promote high levels of self –esteem and optimistic outlooks. They are believed to be highly influenced by, and dependent on, the constant stream of technological advances, which they embrace fully in all aspects of their life. Popular stereotypical images include the 20something listening to his ipod whilst talking to/texting someone on his mobile phone and surfing the internet for free music downloads whilst sitting in casual attire at his workstation… or something like that. Essentially, it is asserted that today’s 20somethings are not seeing themselves as constrained by the career climb of us preceding generation ‘X’ ers. They choose to view work as one woven aspect of their life, not as a separate entity. It has been suggested that Y’ers see their lives more as a journey with themselves in the driving seat, able to switch routes without viewing their path as ‘disjointed’ in any way. The recognition of the flexibility and drive for high standards of this generation of ‘workers’ has been tempered with observations that in the pursuit of excellence, Y’ers are characteristically more aggressive, impulsive and narcissistic. So, in the hope of gaining some further insight into this , I conducted some small scale, home spun, phenomenological research consisting solely of self report, based on a semi structured interview conducted with the Y’ers currently living at home with me. I sought to address the broad themes outlined above and found that: • On-going education is viewed as a vehicle to greater earning opportunities and high financial reward is equated with investment in education. • Working for oneself, on a full time basis of about 40 hours per week, is considered a likelihood. • Doing something not classed as enjoyable is not considered as a work option. • Staying in one job is viewed as necessary to achieve a specific goal. • Using state of the art technology for work purposes is a given. • Leisure time at evenings and weekends is highly valued. • Constant performance/achievement feedback is viewed as a necessary part of higher education and the training/work experience. • Good relationships, both personal and those encountered in a work setting, are valued. • Assertiveness and having a positive attitude are valued as personal skills to help achieve success in all areas of life. • Branding confers a degree of certainty – as in ‘straight away someone knows what they’re dealing with’ It seems as if the ‘Y’ers have a strong picture of what they desire and expect from the education system and the fast approaching world of work. Personally, I can identify major differences in the attitudes and experiences of the ‘Y’ers, and me and my ‘X’ generation contemporaries. And I have to say that I see much healthy positivity in the outlook of the ‘Y’ers . It would be good to see this translated into a generally more relaxing and rewarding lifestyle, from which the ‘Z’ generation can springboard into the future. www.csmonitor.com www.rainmakerthinking.com http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=7 Helen Noble Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT In my opinion, psychology is a relatively ‘new’ science; and a relatively ‘newer’ profession. It has strived for acceptance as a ‘science’, rather than just to be viewed as ‘common sense’, by developing theories; evidenced through experimental studies and published by way of articles. In very basic terms, the role of science is to provide explanations and develop understanding of phenomena and having done so, formulate effective interventions in an endeavour to produce desirable change and advance scientific ‘progress’. In a professional sense, the practice of psychology is subject to a supervisory body (the British Psychological Society, or BPS in the UK) with a code of ethics, and soon to be regulated by a statutory body, the Health Professions Council. To qualify as a graduate member of the BPS you have to obtain an accredited psychology degree (Bsc); and to obtain Chartership status you have to pursue a higher degree (Msc, Phd) and training in a specific field. To maintain your professional role you then have to continue with further training/studies, known as Continuing Professional Development; and to receive ‘supervision’ from someone more qualified/experienced than you in your particular field. All well and good. Professional standards are crucial for credibility and client care. However, as the BPS themselves state, psychology is the ‘scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour’. And although it is important to enable people to research, investigate and develop expertise, from which others may benefit , I’m presently looking at the situation from a different angle. How important is for people generally to have access to this ‘specialist’ information? Information on health issues such as the importance of a healthy diet; the need for regular exercise; the benefits of giving up smoking and the need to prevent infection through the adoption of personal hygiene practices, proliferate in the popular press, TV advertisements offering assistance for those wishing to cease smoking; and through government incentives, such as the healthy eating policies in school. Commercially produced educational information and entertainment for children now often contains useful psychological tools and practices. This is all good stuff, and the fact it is so easily accessible to all now, will hopefully result in people developing healthier habits and so generally enjoy better health and development. All these aspects of our existence have a sound, scientific knowledge base and are now being widely disseminated for the benefit of all. So what about our sound knowledge base of human emotional health? I’m not talking about the extreme psychiatric or psychological conditions which have been the subject of much research over the years. This is about our day to day psychological functioning, which for the vast majority of us tends to stay mostly within the boundaries of what is regarded as ‘normal’ on the continuum of human experience and behaviour. However, within this ‘norm’, people widely report experiencing such conditions as anxiety; mild depression; general emotional management issues (such as road rage); insomnia; low levels of confidence and/ or of motivation. These are aspects of ourselves which can serve to determine our general happiness and satisfaction with life. These issues are also the subject of much research and current knowledge. However, these issues are still widely regarded as the domain of clinical psychology, which approaches them by applying the ‘dysfunctional’ model of diagnosis, analysis and treatment. I believe if people had more access to this information, presented in a general and applicable way, then something like the intention that Andy Warhol wished to achieve with his art movement of the 1950s, could be achieved with contemporary, relevant psychological insight. Warhol wanted more than an elite few to experience and enjoy the phenomena of art. By creating his (now infamous ) pictures of coke tins and cans of soup, he was trying to inform people that we all have similar experiences, regardless of how educated or rich we are (or not!). When people perceive stuff as relevant to them, they tend to consider it more carefully and value it more highly. Surely to allow people to more openly experience some of the psychological knowledge and know-how previously held within the domain of ‘expert knowledge’ could only serve to improve the range of choices that people perceive; and result in more informed decisions/behaviour. The role of low self-esteem in eating disorders is now a commonly accepted factor. People now freely state that as part of the reason for their past difficulties. However, when it comes to other individual and social ‘problems’ emotional issues are still largely left undercover. Of course, the arguments against popularism tend to focus on the ‘deskilling’ nature of the process. Many a fine art critic has been know to assert that Pop and more recent forms of art are created by people who do not possess the skill necessary to produce a piece of what would be classified as ‘fine art’. However, there is a difference in sharing psychological knowledge and practicing when unqualified to do so. Although there are moves to bring more psychological knowledge to society in general, such as Richard Wiseman’s sole academic Chair in the Public Understanding of Psychology, in my personal view, bringing more contemporary, relevant knowledge into the public domain can only be a positive move. The sooner that concepts such as resilience become embedded in the popular culture, the better for everyone, as far as I am concerned. When people feel able to freely seek advice on their anxieties, along with other ‘physical’ health issues, then they will be better informed to make the necessary changes to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Rather than fearing our own shadow (s) we might begin to acknowledge, recognise and integrate them. And from the professional standpoint, when psychological knowledge becomes embedded in the popular culture, surely it’s postion as an accepted scientific practice will be more widely established? The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again) 1975 www.richardwiseman.com http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=8 Helen Noble Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT The way I see it, there are three types of New Year’s resolutions, 1. The desire, or a vague idea to change something in some way 2. The decision to break a habit or change old behaviour 3. The intention to create a new habit or develop a new skill Vague resolutions such as to ‘be more healthy’, ‘take more exercise’, ‘lose weight’, or ‘get a better job’ need to be given the smart treatment. If they are ever going to progress past the wistful stage, they need to be: S pecific M easurable A achievable (or agreed, if planned in conjunction with someone else) R ealistic T ime bound For example, if wanting to lose weight or change your body shape, firstly ask yourself WHY? This will help you to clarify and strengthen your intention in your own mind. When you are clear about what you want, others are more likely to be able and inclined to help you. Specify HOW you intend to make the desired changes. For example, you may decide that you need to change your eating habits and exercise routine. Ask yourself how much weight do I want to want to lose or WHAT size or shape am I aiming for? This is important as we gain greater motivation for change when we can see that we already have, or are making progress towards our goal(s). Be real about it. Set yourself too unrealistic a target and you are just setting yourself up to fail. That’s not a useful loop to set yourself up in. Given the variables of time; resources; and current level of ability, set yourself an achievable goal. Ask yourself, could most people achieve this? If the answer is yes, then, in the absence of some rare idiosyncratic variable, then so can you. Decide WHEN you are going to take the necessary action and WHERE you can find support and resources. Ask yourself WHO can help you, and take any assistance or advice that is offered. The more information you have available to you, the more informed will be your choices and the greater your chances of success. When trying to break a habit, I have found it most useful to replace the said behaviour and accompanying/supporting behaviours with another activity. It is important to acknowledge the other habits that might support the main behaviour, as they provide you with more opportunities to intervene. For example, if you routinely smoke at certain times, rearrange your schedule so you no longer have that time available; if you tend to eat unhealthy foods at certain places, choose an alternative place to eat; and if you engage in particular activities (that you now wish to avoid) with certain other individuals, avoid being in their company. The changes do not have to be dramatic or absolute, just one small change, such as doing something different one evening a week can help to break down the old routine and kick start the build up of a new pattern of behaviour. Basically, take responsibility for where you go, and what you do with whom. You created the habit, or recurring situation and you can now create something different. Allow yourself alternative choices; and actively create new opportunities for yourself. This in itself, can then become a new habit. If trying to establish a new habit be realistic about your existing ability, time for practice, current schedule of responsibilities, available resources to discern what and how you can expect to progress in what time. For example if you wish to develop your yoga practice, · Decide which stage you are already at, and where you would like to be at · Work out how much time you can devote to the practice and the time/days that are most convenient for you to practice. · Some people find that scheduled classes are more motivating, in that a new social support networking opportunity is created. If that’s you, check out the classes in your area. · If you prefer to practice in private or at a time when classes are not scheduled, source a variety of DVDs and plan a month’s schedule for yourself, in advance. When trying to make or break a habit, it is effective to recall a time when you have managed to achieve a goal and reflect on how you managed it. What steps did you take? Which aspects of the process were you good at? Humans are notoriously unsuccessful at transferring the skills we use in one situation to another, especially problem solving. However, once aware of our strengths it is possible to apply them in what appear at first to be a very different scenarios. Remember, the change starts NOW and is a current, on-going process. If you’re not practising your change of routine, you’re practising the old, well- rehearsed routine… again! And, as practice improves performance, new practices need constant attention. Keep your intentions and actions live in your attention and they will strengthen and become more comfortable. Lose your concentration and you will automatically default to the old settings and habits. This may sound an exhausting process, but if you try it you will be pleasantly surprised. Resisting things always takes more effort and energy than simple awareness and focus. For a timely reminder of the psychological stages of change we progress through, check out the previous blog of 7th January 2007, titled ‘Are you ready?’ If you feel yourself being enticed away from your new behaviour or are close to relapsing into your old habit, remember the first step is your thought to do so. It’s at that thought stage that you need to intervene. Identify the first thought that leads down the road towards your old habit, and you can switch routes at that earliest stage. However, intervention at the action stage is still possible. For example, if you reach for that cigarette or drink, it is always possible to intervene as soon as you are aware of what you are doing and correct your choice of actions. Remember at all times and in all situations you have the choice, The choice to stay or to leave The choice to continue or to desist The choice to change It is crucially important to reward your own efforts No-one else can know (or appreciate) the full extent of your efforts, so you are best placed to support and encourage yourself, in whatever way(s) work(s) for you. And finally, if you have the tendency to be hard on yourself, especially in scenarios of perceived failure, remember that people effectively shut down when treated in a negative manner whereas we thrive on positivity. Be generous with your positivity, then sit back and witness the growth of well-being and prosperity inside, outside and around you. View creating change as a cycle within the great cycle, circle or sphere of existence; and choose a clear, bright creation to reflect the change in you. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=9 Helen Noble Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT I wonder if everyone in the Northen Hemisphere feels like slowing down this time of year, working less and resting more? Probably not everyone; but possibly quite a few. Is it about the shorter days and colder weather? I would reason so. So, it’s instinctual behaviour? Perhaps a response to the environment? I would say so. So what about it being the end of the year? Well that’s a psychological construct. A man- made demarcation of the passage of time. It’s not really the end of anything, and it would follow that the New Year is not really the beginning of anything, either! So why do we choose to see it as such? It’s how we make sense of things. The human brain is a self-organising system and in the absence of external prompts, which we can choose to adopt or ignore, we tend to create our own rituals. These are practices which help us to make sense of our experiences, both in the form of individual habits and collective practices, such as organised religions. Give me an example. Ok. At the end of each calendar ‘year’ I have developed the individual ritual of reflecting on all of the achievements/positive events which have affected me personally, and the lives of those with who I am closely associated. I choose to represent these as steps, or perhaps more poetically, I visualise myself walking to the sea’s edge and then turning around to admire the tracks, patterns and loops made by the footprints in the golden expanse of sand on a beach. When I’m happy with that, I start the ‘New Year’ on some fresh sand, always knowing that when I stop to look back I will have left an irrefutable trail. The only unknown here is where I will choose to make that first imprint… http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=10 Helen Noble Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT The time for change is now. You cannot change what has been; or what is yet to come to pass. However, you can now change how things are (for you, and others). Behaviourist psychologist Meichenbaum developed a system of ‘cognitive behaviour modification’ around the discovery that people talk to themselves; and Dowd* has asserted that ‘all human activities and emotions are mediated by cognitive activities – such as thinking interpretive errors, self-statements, irrational thoughts; and personally unique, idiosyncratic meanings we often use to explain phenomena’. Cognitive hypnotherapist Dowd believes that ‘humans are meaning makers and will assign their own idiosyncratic meanings to events if none are obvious’. These meanings are constructed from both explicit knowledge and tacit -or our ‘unconscious’ knowledge, if explained in Freudian terms. Tolle** states that ‘the mind is a superb instrument if used rightly’; and that ‘the moment you start watching the thinker, [that is you as expressed in the form of your thoughts] a higher level of consciousness becomes activated.’ Tolle recommends that we listen to the inner voice(s), impartially – without judgement or condemnation. Then we will become aware of ourselves as objective, independent witnesses to our own thoughts. He asserts that our concept of time, both past and future, is merely a psychological construct which serves to distract us from functioning fully in the present. We can ruminate and so remain 'stuck' in the past; or we can put our lives on hold until some magical time in the future when all will be well. He believes that to effect change we must acknowledge that we only ever have such opportunity in the ‘present moment’. *E Thomas Dowd ‘Cognitive Hypnotherapy’ (2000) **Eckhart Tolle ‘The power of Now’ (2005) http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=11 Helen Noble Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT If someone told you that you could have everything exactly as you want it, in all aspects of your life as long as you could paint a clear, accurate picture, incorporating symbols of everything that you want or think you need, how much effort would you put into it? Would you trip yourself up at the outset by saying ‘I can’t paint?’ Maybe your way would be to take yourself off to research the whole history of art and artists in order to gather all the information you need to know to create a picture of your own? Perhaps you would sign up for art classes, telling yourself that when you are highly skilled at watercolours, oil on canvas or line drawing you will start work on your personal masterpiece? It could be that you are already adept with the paintbrush but are presently toying with different styles and not exactly sure of your genre? And what about other people? Would they understand where you were coming from? Would they like your work? What if someone was offended by your picture and refused to speak to you ever again? Then, of course, there’s the possibility that you would be letting everyone who looked at the picture into some of your most closely held secrets… I’m sure there are also many additional reasons why the painting, once completed, might never see the light of day. Of course, there are a myriad of ways to create the life you want to lead, and just as many ways, reasons, excuses we can employ to avoid the responsibility for the creation. You actively choose where and how you live; you choose who shares your life; and how you make your money and spend your time. We all use symbols to create meaning, for example, words are symbols of communication that we use to express ourselves and create a meaningful existence in the form of relationships with others. Although it’s rewarding when other people recognise and appreciate our symbols, we still have and constantly use our own personal symbols on a sub-conscious level, regardless of approval from others. Conscious choice, including close attention to detail to our symbols can result in a more vivid and rewarding reality. For me, such details as beautiful locations; quirky situations and genuine, happy people feature as some of the symbols I choose to express my chosen experience of existence. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=12 Helen Noble Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT The most famous trial in the history of ancient Athens was that of the philosopher Socrates. Ironically it was his influence that helped form the modern practice of court advocacy. Philosophers and Orators were known as ‘sophists’ in the early 6th century; although Socrates and others referred, rather disparagingly to individuals hired to argue a point in the courts as ‘guns for hire’ * Socrates, although synonymous with the founding of western philosophy, actually believed (if the writings of Xenophon and Plato are to be accepted as accurate) that the best way for people to live was to focus on self-development rather than the pursuit of material wealth. He always invited others to try to concentrate more on friendships and a sense of true community. At his trial his accusers had 3 hours in which to prove their case for corruption against him; and he himself was allowed 3 hours in which to respond, under the eye of the court water clock. Socrates felt that the best way for people to grow together was as a populace. His words translated into actions as he accepted his death sentence, rather than run away from or go against the will of his community - expressed by the jury, all 360 of them, who awarded him with death by poisoning. The influence of Socrates continues into the psychological, self-help techniques of the C21st . It has been asserted** that the secret of Socrates was his ‘Socratic ’ method of questioning which was based upon getting a ‘yes, yes’ response. He was viewed as asking questions with which his opponent would have to agree, a process that continued until he had accumulated ‘an armful of yes’. Socrates’ style was to continue asking such questions until his opponent found himself embracing the conclusion he would have vehemently disputed just minutes previously. Within Cognitive therapy, Socratic questioning is also referred to as the process of ‘guided discovery’. It is believed that asking questions promotes reflection, which in turn produces knowledge. Padesky and Greenburger (1995) view this process as ‘ a cornerstone of cognitive therapy’, which is used to uncover negative, automatic thoughts and beliefs and to construct alternative and adaptive thoughts and beliefs. The key to guided discovery is the driving curiosity to understand the client’s viewpoint. As Beck et al (1993) explain, ‘questions should be phrased in such a way that they stimulate thought and increase awareness, rather than requiring a correct answer’. This enables the client to provide his or her own answers, and not to rely on the interpretation offered by the therapist. The use of silence is also strategic within guided discovery as premature intervention may interrupt the thought process, so disrupting the purpose of the questioning, and corrupting the client-therapist dialogue. In turn the process may serve to put clients into a ‘questioning ‘ rather than an ‘automatic response’ mode. Padesky identified four stages in guided discovery*** · Asking informational questions · Listening attentively and reflecting back · Summarizing newly acquired information · Asking analytical or synthesizing questions to apply the new information to the client’s original problem or thinking. It is believed that the modelling of Socratic questioning assists clients to observe and practice the skill themselves, which in turn leads to ‘self therapy’. So, perhaps the essence of the teachings of Socrates as emerging from 6th century Athenian law and politics has subsisted, re-surfacing in 21st century psychology for a fair(er) hearing? What do you think? helen@formulaforchange.co.uk *‘Ancient Law for the Modern Lawyer’, The legal Executive Journal October 2007. ** Handbook of Hypnotic Suggestions and Metaphors, Hammond, D C., (1990) ***A keynote address delivered at the European Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (1993) http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=13 Helen Noble Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT I have found the concept of ‘one’ featuring in various contexts lately. On an individual psychological level, ‘oneness’ equates to a state of integrity; where congruency in thought, word and deed is believed to enhance the individual’s level of self-esteem. So enhancing psychological well-being and positive experiences. The notion of oneness has always resonated within religious and spiritual contexts, and now it seems to have entered the political and legal arenas. In a recent e-mail from the One Campaign to Make Poverty History, the practical act of adding one line for an additional name to a property deed was described as the difference between ‘poverty and hope’ in some developing countries for a woman and her family. In many places, there is only one line for one name on a property ownership form – that of the husband. In the unfortunate and not uncommon event of the death of the husband, then the ownership of the property does not pass onto his surviving wife and /or family. There is now a US based political initiative attempting to pass through Congress the GROWTH (Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive) Act. This Act is designed to achieve the addition of just one more line to a legal property document to assist and enhance the financial status of individual women and one parent families in developing countries. www.one.org http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=14 Helen Noble Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT Positive psychology and coaching share the focus on developing individual strengths as a means to enhance happiness and well-being. Individual strengths have been explained in terms of a ‘natural recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behaviour that can be productively applied.’* It has been asserted that within individuals there is an ’intrinsic motivation to use the strength’; previously identified by Horney (1951) and Rogers (1963) as ‘constructive, directional tendencies that guide them towards realising their potentialities.’ The 5 positive character strengths of love; hope; gratitude; curiosity and zest, have been positively correlated with the experience of life as pleasant, engaging and essentially meaningful. ** However the knowledge of such personal strengths alone is not seen as sufficient to ensure the beneficial experience which may be conferred. Govindji and Linley*** have asserted and tested the theory that people who know their strengths, use their strengths and follow the directions that are right for them experience greater happiness. This ‘self-concordance’ is recognised as a more successful strategy when choosing and implementing goals, as it is intertwined with the core concepts associated with well-being, self esteem and self efficacy. Rosenberg (1979) explained self -esteem in terms of an individual having an overall, positive evaluation of themselves; and Bandura (1997) explains self –efficacy as the individual’s belief in their own ability to achieve goals. Thus knowing your strengths, coupled with the conscious shaping your life and seeking opportunities so as to maximise your naturally rewarding abilities, can result in a living a life with a greater sense of fulfilment and happiness. Peterson et al**** have concluded that the happiest people are those with the fullest lives; and that the five positive character strengths appeared to be those that made a full life experience possible. * Clifton, D.O & Anderson (2002) StrengthsQuest: Discover and develop your strengths in academics, career and beyond. Washington , DC The Gallup Organisation ** Park, N, Peterson, C. & Seligman M.E.P (2006) Character strengths in fifty four nations and the fifty US States. Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 118-129; and Seligman (2002) Authentic Happiness’ New York, Free Press. *** ‘Strengths use, self-concordance and well-being: Implications for Strengths Coaching and Coaching Psychologists. International Coaching psychology review, Vol 2 No. 2, July 2007 ****Peterson, C., Park, N. & Seligman M.E.P (2005b) Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction : the full life versus the empty life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6 25-41. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=15 Helen Noble Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT How do you relax? How often are you able to ‘switch off’ from all of your cares and concerns (if ever)? Is sleep your only respite from all of the trials and tribulations of the daily grind, or do you actively build in ‘time out’? I have spent the last week or so immersed in the world of cognitive hypnotherapy and must say that I found it satisfyingly effective, both on a personal and professional level. In my view, the best way to evaluate anything is (if possible) to experience it first hand. And although my hand may have not lifted in the levitation experiment, the sound core principles of this particular practice, which is built on the historical concept of hypnosis yet now firmly supported by scientifically- produced evidence – is an experience I would recommend to virtually anyone looking for an effective form of psychological relief. Relaxation exercise coupled with positive, self- strengthening suggestions, is a gentle yet powerful combination. I witnessed others experiencing a noticeable sense of calm; and for me, that inner calm is a deep shade of Aegean blue. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=16 Helen Noble Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT Coaching …… • is concerned with the direction of positive change • works at the level of the individual ( chaos theory informs us that a tiny change can lead to an enormous effect) • is about facilitating self-directed learning and development; allowing people to discover creative solutions to problematic situations • is 75% listening • and is 100% about asking the RIGHT questions • is a time saving technique • is a constructive, definitive goal- orientated process • largely takes the form of interpersonal dialogue to promote and enhance personal potential People…. . • often know more thank they think they know • usually already have the resources necessary for improving their own performance • are always responsible for their own achievements • can choose to respond to challenges positively and view setbacks as opportunities for greater learning…if they so wish • often harvest successfully; reaping the rewards of their strategically sound sowing skills. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=17 Helen Noble Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Your life is important. Whether you achieve what you want in life matters. Whether you are happy matters. Honour and fight for your own potential. Self realisation is the noblest goal of your existence.’ To achieve this it has been asserted that you need to live ‘consciously’* This theory operates on the premise that human consciousness exists along a continuum and we are able to raise our own individual levels of consciousness at will, something akin to sweeping a flashlight along the horizon of our own individual experiences. Such consciousness or awareness can be achieved with practice and adherence to certain principles. Although the issues of self-responsibility and self- esteem are in themselves cornerstones of positive, psychological human functioning; they are also key players in the development of self-awareness or conscious living. Self- acceptance and the practice of choices rooted in reality, are also believed to be intrinsic to the act of living consciously. For me, heightened awareness constitutes possession of the relevant information, as well as knowing what we wish to do with it, and how we intend to achieve our aims. An element of aerial perspective will surely assist us with this process. If we can overlook all the necessary elements and seek to respond flexibly when a slight (or major) change is required we can still maintain our overall perspective. So, to think of ourselves as in the watchtower of our own thinking, surveying and reflecting on our reasoning, decisions and actions, and the impact of that on the lifescape laid out in front of us could be a useful standpoint from which to direct the route of our existence. *Nathaniel Branden ‘The Art of Living Consciously’ http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=18 Helen Noble Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Low levels of motivation can occur due to a lack of perceived reward for our efforts. Basically, if we don’t believe that we’re getting to where we want to be, eventually we’ll stop trying and so stop achieving. However, waiting around for some ‘outside’ approval or reward does not guarantee us receiving whatever it is we think that we want. In fact, the reward is often most effective when it comes from within us. To reward ourselves is to validate our own efforts and achievements and so strengthen our resolve to continue to achieve. Also as we are not reliant on external factors , we are able to reward ourselves at any time and as often as we so choose. So how can we achieve this? Try the following five step guide. 1. Start the day by prioritising the things/activities that you actively want to do. We all have commitments and tasks we don’t enjoy fully and the key is not to plan too much time in for them. A classic error of judgement here is to allocate too much time for menial, uninspiring tasks and to only permit limited time for the more intrinsically rewarding activities. This is a pointless, self- punishing measure we erroneously employ when we have a irrational sense of guilt about experiencing enjoyment. However, as we have a naturally higher level of motivation to engage in/with the things we enjoy, allowing more time will ensure the satisfactory completion of the pleasant tasks and so place us in a more positive frame of mind and therefore more likely to succeed at the less enjoyable jobs. You may find that a natural balance between the two will ensue. 2. Flexibility - as with physical development , a flexible mind necessitates stretching and experimentation. Being open to considering possibilities and changes is the first step in the practice of flexibility; whereas remaining flexible requires a sense of balance , which we can achieve with awareness and vigilance. By keeping our options open, being prepared for more than the obvious, we are better placed for utilising the unexpected opportunities that may come our way. We are also less likely to experience frustration when events go awry courtesy of the influence of external factors – those over which we have no influence. This is especially the case, if we have a quick alternative for the use of our time lined up in the wings and waiting to go. 3. The 3 R’s - Reflect, Re-evaluate and if necessary, Re-schedule. Flexibility can be enhanced by these processes. Take advantage of a natural break in your day to reflect on how things are progressing. If your time is appearing to become more limited or extended then a re-evaluation of your intended activities might prove fruitful. This is also a good point for a reward. Remind yourself how making it this far through the day, having achieved all the things to this current point, is something to celebrate. And be prepared to re-schedule any cancellations on the part of another, at your convenience. 4. Respect and trust your own decisions, plans or arrangements. They were made with your knowledge, insight and reason so why let someone else rearrange things to suit their needs at the expense of yours? A refusal need not be offensive, so if your boss asks you to stay late it’s fine to explain that you have a prior commitment on this occasion. You’re not saying you’ll never stay late or arrive early , and you may want to offer up an alternative solution to help out with the situation. If you are both sincere in your intentions ( yours to assist and her/ him to do a good job)then the situation will resolve itself. You cannot be responsible for the intentions or behaviour of another but you can always choose your own response in a given situation. 5. Finally, reward yourself for the day’s achievement(s). It does not follow that for you to receive a reward, someone else will have to miss out on anything. So spend some time with yourself or someone of your choice; engaging in something refreshing, revitalising or relaxing; perhaps invest in something that you will benefit from in a wholesome way. Remember that you investing in yourself will enhance life for those around you, and on becoming motivationally self-sufficient, you will be setting an example, and showing others how it can be achieved. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=19 Helen Noble Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Selfishness or self-responsibility? What’s the difference? We are surrounded with an array of self-help literature. So how so we choose? What is it that we want to achieve…to be a better parent, manager, lover? Why do we perceive the need to be better at something? Is it because we are always being told there is room for improvement or do we genuinely believe that progress is essential to a meaningful existence? Self- development can be seen as form of self-investment , so if we choose to invest in ourselves, is this then a purely selfish act? During a recent coaching session I found myself distinguishing between selfishness and self-responsibility. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines selfishness as ‘[that] quality or state…[of] supreme self love…[or] preference which leads a person to direct his purposes to the advancement of his own interest, power of happiness without regarding those of others’. So then to the opposite selflessness…I found associations with altruism and self-sacifice and ultimately self-less – a sort of self-denial? I can see this as a perspective enhancing practice, but is this a viable long-term solution for progress? What then of the practice of self-responsibility? I reasoned that a selfish act is one, that by it’s nature, serves to detract from someone/something else in some way; whereas a self-responsible act will not affect another in a negative or detrimental way. We can assuage our own needs without taking from another and without expecting someone else to provide for us. The American Declaration of Independence enshrined the concept of inalienable rights regarding ‘the individual as and end in him/herself, not a means to the ends of others, and not the property of family, church, state or society.’ Also the British Constitution, although unwritten, works on the principle that as citizens we are free to do whatever we like – unless there is a specific law prohibiting it. Are these historical philosophies as contained within these relatively ‘old’ documents of relevance to how we currently function on a social level? http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=20 Helen Noble Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT A TV news feature this week claimed that City law firms are experiencing difficulty in retaining new recruits. Apparently, individuals leaving are citing ‘stress’ induced health issues as a major reason; and are seeking to achieve more of a work/life balance and less of a prestigious, all- consuming career with a top- notch firm. When a friend from law- school days (now on fast-track to partnership in a high ranking city firm) came for a weekend visit recently, we found ourselves betting on how long she could refrain from consulting her Blackberry… The law Society representative interviewed in response, dismissed the phenomena largely as a case of ‘that’s how it’s always been in city firms and it’s not to everyone’s taste’ so to speak. However, having been in and around the profession for a while now, there is evidence in a shift even in the more provincial firms; and a solicitor friend of just a couple of years experience, is already contemplating working for herself. Post- qualification experience is now being sidelined in favour of management training programmes, so allowing the newly- qualified to practice solely. How long then, until a movement like the North American www.timeday.org sprouts here in the UK? (or has it already?) A recent survey of employee holiday entitlement in the industrialised West, showed that the UK featured as the pen-ultimate place for low-levels of leave. However, in recent times policy decisions within the some government agencies have provided for the negotiation of flexible working conditions for people with children under the age of five; or with a dependant, aged or infirm relative. There is still no doubt though, that for those wanting to climb the corporate ladder, ‘time out’ leaves you well and truly behind in the race. So how is it? Is it a case of more people, as individuals, doing as they see fit, making the right decisions and taking the appropriate action in light of their own needs? Or can it perhaps be seen as an example of the ‘Wisdom of Crowds’, a most interesting concept/phenomena asserted by James Surowiecki? How is it that a shift necessary to change the concept of work to be accepted as just a part of life will occur? http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=21 Helen Noble Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT The subtle undercurrent of boundary issues has been present lately. For example, one client has been experiencing (an unwanted) cross- over from a professional to a personal relationship with a colleague. As such she has found herself having to deal with emotional issues which she feels are not her responsibility, although she acknowledges that she has co-created the situation by allowing it to happen. Feeling that she has enough on her plate at the moment, she has decided to reinstate the boundary between them. As she will soon be moving into her new home , she has decided to change her previous ‘open-door’ policy and use the front door step as her marker for choice. New home, new practices. Only those actively invited in will cross the threshold into her newly- created private space. I guess that’s a prime example of the ‘behavioural’ outcome as created by a cognitive shift; and a pro-active approach created by the acceptance of self-responsibility. Then there’s a client whose respect for the boundaries of others has been questioned, who feels his behaviour is unjustly subject to public scrutiny. At present he has to tolerate the intrusion by others and has decided the best way in which to respond is to invest in himself. By creating his own personal benchmarks, he is seeking to demonstrate his ability to acknowledge and respect the boundaries of others. And I believe he will succeed. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=22 Helen Noble Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Change (in my understanding) essentially means moving from one existential or subjective state into another. The apparent ‘reality’ of the state is relevant to the strength of the perception of those involved and the reflections cast upon the situation at any one brief point in time. Take for example, a wedding ceremony. Two people enter a building, say some words, write their names and are then viewed by themselves and others as being ‘changed’ in some way. The nature of that ‘way’ is subject to the interpretation of the person assessing the change. For example in the terms of Greek law, the wife effectively becomes a chattel or possession of the husband. Whereas under the more recently created UK law of civil partnership, there is a recognised choice of two equal individuals. I recently guested at a wedding where all those in attendance were invited as they are currently playing an important supportive role in the lives of the newly- weds. For me, there was an all- pervading sense of progress. People were talking about their futures and there was noticeably little reminiscing of the past, despite the fact there were some present who had known each other for a relatively long time. The general consensus seemed to be an acceptance of where we are all at, regardless of how we got here. Although there were a few interesting tales of jungle trails and days of romanticised poverty, the story tellers were still focused firmly on the on the future, which created a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere around the table. Change is often regarded as the creation or establishing a noticeable difference; and quite often something to be avoided, due to its unknown and therefore fearful nature. I see change as an ongoing merging and diversifying flow of channels, all ultimately connected but not all necessarily in conscious awareness at the same time. In that sense we can always be aware of a sensation of change, subject to varying levels of intensity and concentration. As with all emerging estuaries, or newly planted seeds, channelling or nurturing will achieve growth and the fruition of changes will become apparent at differing rates. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=23 Helen Noble Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Is your life purposely planned with meticulous detail as to time and place where you expect to find yourself right now as well as some years hence? Is it true to say that only people who know exactly what they want and how to achieve it, will undoubtedly experience unqualified success? So what about when the unexpected crops up? How does that fit in with your preconceived notions and carefully laid plans? It’s the nature of that ‘fit’ that will determine largely how you experience the unscheduled changes to your grand plan. If you invest in the schema theory, which essentially asserts that we organise our thoughts, feelings and experiences into pro- forma schemas – templates established early in life (and therefore by definition immature and perhaps even faulty) – then your ability to absorb the new experience into an existing schema will determine your response to the change(s) For me, schema theory goes some way to explaining lots of social phenomena – and perhaps most notably discrimination, in all its forms. If we interpret all new experiences within the context of existing schemas, then the less exposition to new and different experiences we encounter, the greater will be the tendency to interpret the new within the framework of the old - hence the lack of satisfactory fit. From this perspective it is important to acknowledge our formative influences, however as it the positive and progressive nature of most cognitive- based theories and techniques – the empowerment arises not from the knowledge of what happened in the past but from the recognition of what changes are possible here in the present. Although developing insight into how you actually got to be where you are at is very useful, accepting self- responsibility for where you are at, regardless of how you got there, is the first step in initiating change. From there, the steps you choose to take and the progress you make will naturally ebb and flow and occasionally divert; and maybe even reverse. However the first step will then undoubtedly exist in your cognitive and emotional memory alongside the more ancient, ingrained, habitual patterns. This first move could then be the start of a totally new direction. It could figure loosely as an option you might wish to take up in the future; or it could always remain as a ‘what if…’ There has long been a nature v nurture debate, and it could be viewed that our cognitive schemas and/or behavioural tendencies are part of our DNA coding. However, the blueprint is only one stage in a creation, and it is when we are able to manage the mechanics and control our responses to our immediate environment that we can effect change(s) http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=24 Helen Noble Wed, 6 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT From confusion to clarity - what happens and how do we get there? I think we experience clarity when there is an absence of dissonance in our thinking. Dissonance, or discomfort, occurs when we are undecided or unresolved about an issue, or a situation that we perceive as affecting us in a personal way. A moment of clarity has often been referred to as a ‘breakthrough’; or an experience of ‘seeing the light’ in a given situation. Many people have described physical feelings of lightness of being and/ or of having a ‘weight’ lifted from their shoulders. For me, a moment of clarity is when a solution to a problem arises in my mind’s eye, ( I have an active, visual imagination) and is accompanied with a feeling of relaxation or calm. However, from what I have heard and understood from others, the perceived sudden release might give way to feelings of excitement and higher levels of motivation to achieve solutions to other issues or challenges- something more akin to a 'eureka' moment. Whichever way you experience clarity, I believe there is a process of congruence involved – where, however momentarily, your perception of your external surroundings and influences are reflected in your inner landscape; and where all your internal dialogue and emotions are at one with your immediate environment. So then, how to increase the clarity? Any ideas? helen@formulaforchange.co.uk http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=25 Helen Noble Mon, 28 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Do you subscribe to the belief that creative people are inherently disorganised? Is the essence of creativity stifled by the imposition of organisation? And does it follow that diligent, disciplined people are not highly creative? Edward de Bono* has asserted that efficiency and creativity actually serve to complement one another. He has claimed that ‘creativity can be as deliberate as mathematics’, and he believes that new ideas can be generated by using lateral thinking methods which might appear totally unrelated to the creative project in hand. Further he explains how minimising the risks of financial failure of creative ideas can be achieved with a little design effort; as efficiency will extract the maximum benefit from the new idea. Not comfortable with that take on the treatment of creativity? Well, recent research by Nemeth and Ormiston** seeks to oust the comfort loving and claim that greater levels of creativity are possible when familiar team membership is re-jigged to form fresh alliances. The more traditional thinking on this subject has been that if you keep team membership constant, people in the team are going to grow familiar and comfortable, and lose any fear of proposing ideas, which is then seen as resulting in a rise in morale and correlating higher levels of creative output. However this notion has been strongly challenged and it has been shown that, while stable teams are judged more friendly and comfortable than newly-formed teams, the cost for failing to mix up team membership is a loss of creativity. In their study, it was the newly-formed teams who generated more ideas (an average of 28 ideas versus 23), and according to two independent judges their ideas were also better quality and more diverse. The researchers state that their ‘…current study underscores the theory that 'change' and the introduction of new perspectives are more important than comfort, belonging and friendliness for idea generation and creativity’. They advise that managers should avoid the temptation to retain individuals in groups that have previously worked successfully together, and organise the teaming of individuals who have not previously worked together in order to enhance the creative process. * www.managementissues.com **Nemeth, C.J.&Ormiston, M. (2007). Creative idea generation:Harmony versus stimulation. European Journal of Social Psychology, 524-535. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=26 Helen Noble Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT There are 360 degrees to every point and the appearance of every point varies greatly with the angle of perception. It’s more far more useful to think about how things are interpreted in the instant, than perhaps viewing them in a more rigid sense of ‘how they are’. 'Visualise yourself doing it' is a common direction for people seeking to achieve something. However there are a variety of ways to visualise yourself in a particular scene. From a first-person perspective we can project our potential thoughts and feelings into a scene, trying to make it as authentic a creation as possible. This can be effectively achieved through practices such as hypnotherapy. However recent research* suggests that visualising yourself performing a certain act from an external perspective, as an independent observer might see you, is more effective in terms of actual performance of the desired behaviour. The theory behind these findings is that humans tend to interpret other people's actions as saying something about them, whereas we interpret our own actions as saying more about the situation we're in. Thus, when we picture ourselves acting in the third-person, we see ourselves as an observer would, as the 'kind of person' who performs that behaviour. Therefore transferring the attributes of ‘someone’ who is likely to perform the desired behaviour to ourselves is believed to increase the likelihood of us achieving our goal(s). *Libby, L.K., Shaeffer, E.M., Eibach, R.P. & Slemmer, J.A. (2007). Picture yourself at the polls. Visual perspective in mental imagery affects self-perception and behaviour. Psychological Science, 18, 199-203. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=27 Helen Noble Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Ever been advised to ‘just be yourself’? Ever thought ‘just what does this mean’? It’s open to interpretation, so I think it is more helpful to focus on the self- strengths and qualities you are familiar with, rather than the self-tripping aspects of yourself. For example, I recently attended a screen test for a TV presenting job. Being well aware of the ‘age limit’ and in the knowledge that I exceeded it, I accepted the advice to ‘just be myself’. So I endeavoured to consign the negative thoughts of age and the 10 pounds camera rule to the ‘not useful for this purpose folder’; and concentrated my thoughts on formulating ways to express and demonstrate the qualities I thought might help project an appropriate representation of ‘myself’. Engagement (in conversation) is usually a sign that you are presenting your chosen material effectively; if someone is interested enough to ask a question then you have tentatively established a potential link. From here you have the chance to build your image by introducing more of your qualities/abilities, not necessarily in the form of a fact but perhaps more subtly and effectively by way of illustration and use of humour. Admittedly this can get a little more complex when there is more than one interviewer; you have props/ material to manage; and you have other angles such as those being monitored by the camera to consider. However, talking about your abilities and positive experiences is far easier if you are not constantly referencing the thoughts that seek to sabotage your attempts. Then there is the social context to consider. For example, if someone else in the room is smiling at you, it makes it easier for you to continue with your train of thought and delivery. You may feel ‘acceptable’ to the others. However your interaction may feel hampered if the lack of a smile is unsettling you. Being aware of the mirroring social effects is the first step in managing them. Accept you cannot control them and you may not be tempted to try and make that person smile (maybe throwing yourself off track in the process). See the situation as a dynamic interaction, subject to your influence and choose how you wish to present yourself. Thinking is a habit and as such with repeated practice we can strengthen the positive thoughts and weaken the not so helpful. Picking out the positive in any situation can be a useful skill to develop – choosing to use what you have learned and recognising possible future applications is a dynamic process which may propel you in your chosen direction. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=28 Helen Noble Mon, 7 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT When we talk of an athlete being ‘in the zone’ or maybe an artist being ‘in the flow’, what we are witnessing is an individual so focused on a task that they are able to maximise their performance. It is believed that their high level of pleasure of the experience facilitates the attainment of mastery of their skill. It is reported* that such intense engagement with a task results in the individual’s loss of self-consciousness; that their actions and awareness merge to develop a heightened sense of control during an often altered perception of time. It is asserted** that flow is most commonly experienced when the level of a challenge is high and thus the skills of the individual are fully tested. If the task is pitched at too high a level then the individual’s response slows down and they may become anxious. However, if a task is too easy, the individual can experience boredom. Current research*** suggests that we are most likely to experience flow when we are engaged in a task which utilises one or more of our personal strengths. By definition, a strength is a natural capacity for behaving, thinking or feeling in a way that facilitates our optimal functioning or performance. Martin Seligman**** has identified an array of ‘signature strengths’ and asserts that by discovering, accepting and choosing to use and enhance these strengths, we are more likely to experience success in life. Utilising the 3 conditions necessary for flow previously identified*, Wesson and Boniwell *****have compiled a ‘flow -enhancing model of coaching’ which consists essentially of 7 prerequisites · Having a clear set of goals · Achieving a balance between perceived challenges and perceived skills. · Maintaining the goal congruence · Placing importance on the desired achievement(s) · Receiving clear and immediate feedback on performance · Having a higher level of autonomy orientation, or being self directed · Having a high level of capacity for absorption, by being open to new ideas or possibilities and having a higher level of awareness of emerging issues and opportunities. Wesson and Boniwell assert the need for the development of awareness as to how to achieve the desired state of flow; developing the skills to manage it effectively so as to enhance life experience; and also, how to let go of the practice when necessary. This last bit surprised me somewhat. Why, after attaining such a state would we choose to desist from a practice that enhances it? Is it a purely selfish act? Surely we would all benefit from being in the flow? I suppose we might find ourselves flowing in different directions from those close to or maybe dependant on us, which might not have been our intention? Any thought streams flowing? If so, e-mail helen@fromulaforchange.co.uk *Csikszentmihalyi, M., Abuhandeh, S. &Nakamura, J. (2005) ‘Flow’ In A. J. Elliot & C. S dweck (Eds), Handbook of competence and motivation ( pp598-608) **Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1992) Flow: the psychology of happiness. *** Linley P.A & Harrington, S. (2006a) Playing to your strengths. The Psychologist, 19, 86-89 **** Seligman, M.E.P (2003) Authentic happiness – using the new positive psychology to realise your potential for lasting fulfilment. ***** Wesson, K & Boniwell,I. (2007) Flow theory – its application to coaching psychology, International Coaching Psychology Review, vol. 2, No1 http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=29 Helen Noble Tue, 1 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT An article in the Harvard Business Review* identifies resilience as, ‘something you realize you have after the fact’ and claims that ‘more than education, more than experience, more than training, a person’s level of resilience will determine who succeeds and who fails’. A useful definition of resilience is ‘the human capacity to face, overcome and be strengthened or transformed by the adversities of life’. I first came across the notion of resilience when working with children and families, where the work of resilience building/promoting amongst people facing or responding to adversity, starts with three short phrases, I have… I am… I can… It is believed ** that resilience is a basic human capacity, nascent in all children, which can be nurtured through use of the appropriate words, actions and environment; and some of the words denoting the phenomena of resilience read as such personal qualities as ‘autonomy’, ‘independence’, 'responsible’, ’empathic’ and ‘altruistic’. So applied to the experience of life, the quality of resilience, often popularly perceived as the ability to ‘bounce back’ has been elucidated as consisting of three major components · A staunch acceptance or crystal clarity about the reality of our situation (I have) · A deep belief that life is meaningful and purposeful (I am) · The ability to improvise – recognising more choices and resources (I can) * Harvard Business Review ‘How resilience works’ (May 2002 p46) ** A guide to Promoting resilience in Children: Strengthening the Human Spirit, E.H. Grotberg Ph.D, The International Resilience Project. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=30 Helen Noble Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT A recent survey conducted by the UK government Department of Skills and Education revealed that 44% of the women interviewed reported not having received a ‘love letter’ in the preceding period of 10 years. Some might argue that the advent of electrical communications has contributed to the decline of the tradition of letter writing. However research* conducted at the University of Texas at Austin has utilised electrical communications systems alongside the more traditional practice of writing, to reveal the positive effects of the act of writing about feelings on personal relationships. Essentially, participants were requested to write down their ‘deepest thoughts and feelings about their current relationship’, setting aside a period of 20 minutes for each of 3 consecutive days for this purpose. The researchers then analysed instant messaging and email communications between the participants and their partners, recorded before and after the writing exercises. They found that after a participant had written about their relationship for three days, both they and their partner used more positive emotional words during communication with each other. The results revealed that 77 % of the participants were still in the same relationship 3 months later. *Slatcher, R B & Pennebaker, JW (2006) How do I love thee? Let me count the words. The social effects of expressive writing. Psychological Science, 17, 660-664 http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=31 Helen Noble Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT The concept of mindfulness is becoming part of cognitive –behavioural based therapies, as the theory and practice of the technique is regarded by some as congruent with both the theory and practice of classic CBT. This is partly due to the recognition that both practices emphasise the detachment from or objective viewing of thought; acceptance of the self; and the practice of self responsibility in the sphere of personal emotions and consequent behaviour. In very broad terms, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) advocates acceptance as a base line to which it always desirable to return; and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) advocates the need for the development of emotional insight if engagement in therapy is to result in sustained changes in thinking and behaviour. Cayoun* had conceptualised mindfulness with dual strands of ‘metacognitive’ awareness and ‘interoception’. Whereas metacognitive awareness represents the human ability to perceive our own thoughts, interoception is the process by which we are aware of our bodily sensations. He explains how regular practice can serve to increase acuity of both these senses. There is also some evidence** to suggest that physical changes occur in the brain as a result of the practice of mindfulness through meditation. It has been noted that parts of the cerebral cortex of people who meditate are noticeably and it is believed this results in the protection of other parts of the brain from age-related thinning. It is reported that the brain scans of 20 practitioners of Buddhist Insight meditation, who meditated for an average of 40 minutes per day revealed the development of thicker tissue in the right anterior insula region of the brain, which is involved in the monitoring of bodily sensations, and in parts of the of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved with attention and sensory processing. This area was noticeably thicker in older participants who practised meditation when compared to the brain scans of participants of the same age within the control group ( and who did not practice meditation). *Cayoun , B A (2005) A four stage model of mindfulness-based cognitive –behavioural therapy. **Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., McGarvey, M., Quinn, B. T., Dusek, J. A., Benson, H., Rauch, S. L., Moore, C. I. & Fischl, B. Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. NeuroReport, 16, 1893-1897. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=32 Helen Noble Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Intuition is our capacity for direct knowledge or immediate insight without any apparent observation or reason. Daniel Kahneman has referred to intuitive thinking as ‘perception- like, rapid, effortless’ in comparison to deliberate thinking which is ‘reasoning-like, critical and analytic’. Recent research* has concluded that learning can occur via two distinct systems - an explicit hippocampus based system and an implicit intuitive system more dependent on the brain’s reward pathways. The researchers explain their suggestion that ‘the brain areas associated with implicit reward- association decisions are dissociable from those supporting the explicit forms of decision making’ and conclude that their ‘findings suggest that it may be useful to rely on intuition to guide decisions, particularly when explicit memory fails.’ I have on many occasions based a decision or judgement on what I have understood to be my intuition, or gut instinct. Although I am aware of some knowledge of facts in a situation I cannot explain my choice in the form of a fully- reasoned and evidence based process. Part of me likes to toy with the notion that this is perhaps an unexplained phenomena which more accurately belongs within the realms of extra or unearthly sensory/perceptive skills. However, on reading Malcolm Gladwell’s** concept of ‘thin slicing’ – or rapid cognition- I was strongly swayed to believe that perhaps intuition is just another explicit cognitive process , the mysteries of which will be unearthed by the power of cognitive neuro-psychology. Gladwell emphasises the imperative role of context in such rapid thinking and further explains how such a process which appears so uncannily accurate in so many instances is also subject to errors of process leading to the ‘wrong’ decisions. I find his case highly persuasive, although the jury is still very much out on this one. I have a feeling I might be mulling this one over for a while – unless of course I suddenly and inexplicably find my muse… *Frank, O Reilly, Curran (2006) Psychological Science 17, 700-707. ** ‘Blink- the power of thinking without thinking’ (2005) http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=33 Helen Noble Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT ‘…we will conserve only what we love and respect; we will love and respect only what we understand; we will understand only what we are taught or allowed to experience’ Baba Dioum (Senagalese conservationist) I largely agree with this statement, but only in terms of degrees of agreement and not in terms of absolute acceptance. It is a widely accepted notion (in psychological research) that humans are notoriously lacking when it comes to problem solving tasks, due to our apparent inability to transfer our thinking skills from one setting to another. As a psychology undergraduate I found myself conducting research on the streets of Brighton in an attempt to quantify just how lacking is our ability to ‘think outside the box’. Influenced by Edward de Bono’s concept of lateral thinking, amongst a myriad of other concepts, theories and philosophies, I have chosen always to ‘think’ my way around a problem or a situation in which I have believed myself (or another) to be ‘stuck’. This is an empowering strategy as it starts with the premise that something can always be achieved in any given situation – even if it is not what was perhaps initially intended. Problem solving is perhaps one of the most obvious vehicles for change; but does it follow that change is always about solving perceived problems? Is it about saying ‘stop’ when something is apparently not working, or maybe more about finding a different way of doing the same thing? Or perhaps applying the same process to a different subject? For me there are always many variations on a theme; shades of opinion and ways and means to achieve your desires. I find that by dropping out the ‘absolutes’, which can be applied to almost everything, a whole raft of new possibilities open up. Try telling yourself, that you can, or might be able to, in preference to ‘you should’ or ‘must’. In my view, creative thinking blossoms when allowed the space and often when it’s not under pressure to produce within the constraints of a pre-conceived format. For me , understanding arises sometimes when we are taught or maybe reflect on a concept; however, I see creativity as arising out of experience – so why not allow yourself the opportunity to experience and see what you can come up with? http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=34 Helen Noble Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Are you a push- over? Or are you forever pulling it back? Resisting is in essence a push-pull mechanism. One that inevitably functions in a cyclical format, and sometimes appears to have a dead- lock facility. The thing is, when you find yourself pushing – you’re crossing over the line – moving out of your own space and leaving it unattended. Then it’s possible to find that when you return there’s something else in your space (for example, with me it’s usually extreme tiredness). Then there’s pulling. When you engage in pulling, it’s possible to bring something desirable into your space. However, it’s also possible to land yourself with a line full of far more than you had initially considered, usually in the form of extra responsibility and other such unseen consequences. There is another way of getting what you think you want; and avoiding that which you think is not for you. It’s through a process of building what we’ll call ‘resilience’ Resilience consists, (in my view) of two major components: acquiescence and self-investment. For example, when feeling on the end of someone else’s push or pull, it is effective to acquiesce – simply do nothing in response or by way of reaction to the momentum. The chances are that an immediate response will be less effective in terms of you achieving what you really want, than a more considered approach. Acquiescing affords you the time and opportunity to reflect and if necessary, amend your intended actions. Thus avoiding the possible consequences of ill-informed actions. If you decide to stick with your initial response then the chances are you will feel far more confident about your choice/ decision. Acquiescing is not as it might at first appear – as ‘doing nothing’. It is in fact a highly valuable and power- generating delay mechanism, which allows you to reclaim and harness all your potential before you initiate action. Self – investment is about evaluating everything you are thinking about in terms of how it can benefit you, and before we go any further I would just like to point out that does not preclude charitable acts or acts of great kindness towards others. Such acts intrinsically hold a reward for the initiator. Also I am not saying that self- benefit must amount to 100% of the outcome – even the smallest percentage may be a good enough reason to perform an action in some circumstances. It’s more about keeping an eye on your own investment and making sure you do not neglect your own interests at the expense of increasing the interests of another. It almost goes without saying that if you can not clearly see any benefit for yourself – then it’s unlikely to be worth your effort. If you want to talk/learn more about this feel free to contact me helen@formulaforchange.co.uk http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=35 Helen Noble Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT You’ve made a decision and feeling quite clear about the reasons why; you’ve even worked out exactly how you are going to make that change. Then, a loss of concentration or some emotional upset, and you’re right back there – doing what you said you wouldn’t, and not even enjoying it as you believed you would. Here come those feelings of annoyance and self- reproach for losing that grip. What can you do differently? Face the Space. You’re not going to die…it may not feel painful...you might even like it. Ask yourself, Is it just feeling of emptiness; an overwhelming fear of the unknown, or something inbetween? If you don’t light that cigarette, pour that drink, or make that call, what’s going to happen? Chances are you have a whole scenario already depicted in your imagination, how you fear things might be if you do, or if you don’t… The thing is it’s a work of pure fiction. Just an old storyline you are all too familiar with. The tale is wearing thin, the ending has become most unsatisfactory – it’s like you know there is more to all of this, it’s just that you can’t quite believe the ending might be exactly how you would like it to be. To find out what will happen, you have to not do it and sit back to see what really transpires. Stop, wait, and listen. Allow yourself the time and space to think and feel( and don’t forget to breathe) It’s just one moment in time and space. But it’s your moment, your opportunity to try something different, perhaps something new. So next time you find yourself there, reclaim your space – it’s yours for the taking – and make of it what you will. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=36 Helen Noble Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT I once received the message ‘thank you, you’ve been an inspiration’, written on a card from someone I had been working very closely with for some 18 months, on the day of our last meeting. It was early one Saturday morning some 2 years later before the full impact of its meaning dawned on me. If derived from the Greek word ‘inspire’ - meaning to draw breath- then that comment was possibly one of the most potent and meaningful I have ever been party to. It’s quite easy to work out the source of inspiration in that particular scenario as our professional work together was concentrated on one very specific area- it was in the individual’s belief in his ability to change. Despite years of self-doubt and self-sabotage and against all odds, this individual who we’ll call ‘Jed’ for ease of reference, was able to develop enough self- belief to get himself to where he wanted to be. He was able to challenge some 30 years of negative thinking and start to plan for and develop the necessary relationships to lay the foundations for a ‘new life’. Most of us can identify areas of our life/behaviour that we wish to change, and in themselves these distinct areas can appear insurmountable on occasions. Now imagine the challenge of re-writing the script for every aspect of your future existence. Past events are non- changing; we cannot alter the facts as most people would agree them. However we can reflect and develop insight into and around situations, people and events; and extract useful information to maybe help us the future. One of the most valuable sources of information we can extract from the past is the nature of our own beliefs, as they guide us, almost silently, through our choices and our experiences. Changing our beliefs to enable us to overcome obstacles is no mean feat. I admire anyone who chooses this course and I have to say that I feel inspired by people like ‘Jed’, who achieve such great things. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=37 Helen Noble Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Leading journalist, editor and (adjunct) professor at the School of Medicine UCLA, Norman Cousins, has first hand experience of life threatening conditions including a major heart attack and cancer, initially described in 'Anatomy of an Illness'(1978). Determined to be positive, he described how he used humour and hope to nurse himself back to health. Later in 'Head First'* he set out to describe how the conscious cultivation of positive emotion can create the right internal environment for medicine to work effectively, and laid out more evidence for the great healing power of positive expectation and emotion Cousins described his belief that the emotions such as fear and despair cause biochemical damage and how positive attitudes promote wellness and healing. He supported his personal anecdotes with powerful scientific data demonstrating how the mind can hugely influence the course of illness and health; and sought to explain how the encouragement of confidence and hope in patients can function to activate all their resources against their illness. It is his belief that a cultivated positive attitude (in addition to good medical treatment) can facilitate good health. In more recent research, Julian Lai** (City University of Hong Kong) studied the physiological effects of thinking positively by measuring the level of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva samples. He noted that in both men and women, a generally positive mood during the preceding month was associated with the recording of lower cortisol levels in the body over the course of a day. Additionally, optimism was associated with lower cortisol levels after waking in the male participants. Also there is now widespread evidence that successful psychological therapies induce changes to brain function. A recent brain imaging study*** found brain changes indicating recovery and increased activity in evidence in people who had been diagnosed as suffering depression and/or obsessive compulsive disorders. An added benefit of psychological therapy as opposed to drug therapy is obviously the lack of the physical side effects associated with anti-depressant medication. So, add into the mix a study**** which claims that people who view themselves and their lives more abstractly (as opposed to concentrating on the concrete features) also hold more positive beliefs, so evaluating their experiences more optimistically… and you may start to get a sense of the power of positive thinking. *Cousins, Norman 'Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit' (1990) Penguin (Non-Classics) ISBN-10: 0140139656 **Lai et al (2005) ‘Optimism, positive affectivity and salivary cortisol’ British Journal of Health Psychology, 10, 467-484 ***Kumari, V. (2006) 'Do Psychotherapies Produce Neurobiological effects?' Acta Neuropsychiatrica 18, 61-70 ****Updegraff & Suh (2007) 'Happiness is a warm abstract thought: Self- construal abstractness and subjective well-being’ Journal of Positive Psychology, vol 2, issue , 18-28. http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=38 Helen Noble Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT To achieve balance in life is much easier when you practice assertiveness, as opposed to being passive or exhibiting aggression. Being ‘assertive’ means communicating your needs to others in a consistently firm but polite manner. When you choose to behave this way, it means essentially that you do not eclipse anyone else’s needs and neither are you allowing others to compromise your wants or desires. Wise words once heard at a Rolling Stones concert noted that ‘everyone here is occupying their own space’. Hence the concept and practice of mutual respect – as opposed to ‘standing up for yourself’ or ‘going out to get what you want’. In my opinion, these intentions or motivations contain an element of conflict or aggression, therefore overstepping the boundary of assertiveness. Assertiveness is not a performance art which can be taught – although it’s appearance may be successfully replicated – performance suggests an element of nervousness – whereas assertion feels comfortable – you are merely filling up your own space, by fulfilling your own needs and allowing others to do likewise. When all parties in a situation are feeling comfortable and content with the outcome then balance or harmony has been achieved. Whereas, if one party is feeling ‘bulldozed’ into submission; or manipulated by feelings of guilt; maybe fearful of threatened consequences, despite appearing to accord with the ground rules they may actually be plotting sabotage or even revenge… Being assertive means you can say exactly what you want, as long as you state it in a friendly and factual manner. If you don’t attach any strong emotions to the delivery of your communication then the chances are you won’t get an overly emotional response. However, should you use an aggressive response the chances are you will either get resistance or resentful, temporary compliance. if you choose to be passive then the chances are you won't get what you want and you will end up feeling resentful. Be aware that if you are communicating with someone who is equally clear minded, and able to explain their point in a firm but respectful manner you might find yourself in a situation of negotiation… and the best thing about that is you might achieve something even better than you had at first imagined! Let me know how you go… helen@formulaforchange.co.uk http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=39 Helen Noble Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT On a home visit to allow an erudite, elderly client to read and sign his newly drafted will- in theory a very specific task- I found myself sitting in a still room, for over an hour, listening in silence to his personal account of his wife’s recent death. After scrutinising the clauses to ensure they achieved his desires, and signing in a highly pragmatic manner, the gentleman kindly offered me a cup of tea. With nothing else really appropriate to discuss- other than the contents of his will- I asked him about his recent hospital experience , his first in a strange hospital in an unfamiliar area. After brushing aside his recent stay, he referred me to the hospital where his wife had spent her last days. He accounted for her thoughts and feelings during her last days and then described – to the actual minute – how she had ‘peacefully passed away’ whilst he sat along side her, reading the daily newspaper. That was his story to tell; and it was clearly important for him to bring to the table at that point in time. I just listened. He wasn’t looking for my comments or any expression of sympathy from me. He wanted me to listen - to bear witness to the memory of his beloved wife, maybe. When he finished, he looked at me, smiled and thanked me and I left his home. The act of listening is a very potent tool. It can function, in some situations as a life preserving skill. For example in UK prisons there is training provided for respected prisoners to act as ‘listeners’ for fellow prisoners. When an individual is fearful, anxious or depressed he can request the services of a listener - someone whom he can trust, to talk over his problems, concerns about his family outside or whatever issues he believes he has at that time, in the privacy of his cell. It is through listening that it is possible to glean all the necessary information to help or assist that person in some way. It is through active listening that patterns of thought; re-occurring themes and core issues experienced by people become apparent. Awareness of the thoughts and feelings of others enables you then to consider the most valuable ways in which you can assist them. So, effective listening – although it may appear to be a passive action, is in fact, anything but. Active listening helps the listener to gather the information necessary; store it in an organised manner; and process it to use at the optimum instance for the benefit of the person talking. It works. So why not try it? helen@formulaforchange.co.uk http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=40 Helen Noble Wed, 7 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Do you expect the view from your car windscreen to always remain the same, regardless of how many miles you may have covered in your journey? How about the accepted change of schedule of TV programmes from Summer to Autumn? Is it normal to expect the introduction of new faces from time to time in your favourite soap? So why is it we sometimes expect the horizon of our personal lives to remain largely unchanged? Surely we can expect an ever changing landscape with people and places passing in and out just as every other scene of life? What about the stage setting that once was (perhaps at the start of a relationship) and is now no longer recognisable… Contemporary research by Lewandowski and Bizzoco (2007)* reveals a high level of positive emotions experienced by individuals whose relationships had recently ended – even when the finite decision had actually not been theirs. Some 71% of participants stated their belief that they had ‘learned a lot more about themselves’ as a result of the process, despite it not being their choice to end the relationship. 58% reported feeling ‘energised’ and ‘hopeful’ and able to [do] ‘things I once enjoyed that I could not do while I was in my relationship’. ‘Reframing’ is a term largely associated with the practice of neuro- linguistic programming (NLP) and is a useful cognitive tool to assist with the development of perspective shifting. When feeling stuck in a situation or unable to see a way out, it can prove valuable to ask someone you know well and trust to reframe your situation. It’s a hypothetical exercise and you always retain the choice of view. For example, it can serve to free you from imaginary constraints; to shrink apparently insurmountable obstacles; or to open up a realm of hitherto unconsidered possibilities. A trained coach/practitioner may use the Socratic questioning method to (hypothetically) lead you out of your current situation and explore realistic possibilities. Thus helping you to transform your landscape and realise your options. In turn you might then choose to reinvest in interests or activities that have been discarded, maybe as they did not comfortably fit in with the framework of a relationship. However such interests are as much a part of ‘you’ as was the role you played in the relationship. Reclaiming is now widely regarded a virtuous and valuable act. So why not reframe and reclaim? helen@formulaforchange.co.uk *Lewandowski, G.W & Bizzoco, N. M. ‘Addition through subtraction’ The Journal of Positive Psychology (2007) 2, 40-54 http://www.formulaforchange.co.uk/blog.php?active_page=41 Helen Noble Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT A while back, after a significant departure into the world of forensic and clinical psychology, I took a step (back?) forwards into the legal profession. Not having practiced property law for some 6 years I found myself refreshing the skills necessary to once again play a part in a world where professional relationships appear strongly defined- with many practitioners adopting ‘traditional’ methods of communication; and the status quo thus remaining largely unchallenged for a couple of hundred years. At the outset I sought to establish a fresh ethos in my experience of legal practice -that of openness and clarity. Nothing new there -in theory; however that translated in practice to the creation of a policy whereby all communication is respectfully received and responded to. This one policy alone has proved very successful with professional counterparts in the property and financial sectors and has been met with curiosity from many fellow lawyers. As has been the tradition, the revealing of the cards your hand is a careful judgement call by many lawyers – even amongst their own – and perfectly understandable positions within a system which is adversarial in design. However, even modern texts advocate the practice of ‘defensive’ lawyering in non-contentious situations. So how can a business, which is essentially a service, flourish where each party starts from the premise that they have something to lose? I have adop