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Agile Thinking – It’s not just about what you think

Nhận Thức, Brain / By My Holland / Agile Thinking

Agile Thinking – It’s not just about what you think You’re walking on the sidewalk when suddenly something falls on your path. You sidestep quickly and easily to avoid it. You are agile like most people. You can be mentally agile too. You can change your thinking to adapt to challenges and unexpected events – not to avoid them but to conquer these. Do you have an agile mind? How do you handle changes around you? Many people would like to stick to the same routines and steer clear of situations that require different mindsets. Do you look at the different sides of a problem or argument? Are you focused on results and improvement? Are you open to learning new things? Do you take time to seek information on subjects you don’t know? (Not relying on social media but through diligent research) Are you empathic? Do you consider challenges necessary for growth? Are you open-minded? If your answer is “yes” to most of these, chances are you have an agile mind. Why having an agile mind is essential? COVID-19 is an excellent example of what the world was unprepared for. With agile thinking, most people proved they can respond and adapt to a deadly virus in the modern era. Those who can handle the unexpected will make it in life. Often, obstacles are thrown in everybody’s way. But with mental agility, anyone can surmount difficulties that seem paralyzing. An agile mind will help you weather storms and become successful in life. Be careful of this trap. You’re driving on the highway and overtake a car you feel is going too slow. The other driver sees you pass and thinks you’re going too fast. You may disagree with the other driver, who is right. Not everyone sees the world as you do. You may have agile thinking, but your mindset can also be wrong. Believing that your analysis of a situation is always correct can be counterproductive. You may convince others to share your viewpoint. There’s always a chance you close your doors to other people’s viewpoints. There’s no guarantee you’re always right, even though you are mentally agile.Someone disagreeing with you is always good. It’s both a challenge to your mindset and a learning opportunity. Having an agile mind means readily accepting you’re mistaken when you are and being gracious when you’re right. And always keep in mind to continue respecting others when they disagree with you.

Dealing with Flight or Fight

Nhận Thức, Brain / By My Holland

Dealing with Flight or Fight It’s natural to feel guarded when you’re about to meet people for the first time. You’re unsure of whether they’ll accept you in their circle. You hesitate to approach them and may only introduce yourself if they do so first. It’s your fear of rejection at work. You’ve heard of “flight or fight“ responses. These are automatic reactions when people face threats. They experience shortness of breath, an increased heart rate and sudden stomach pain. Sounds familiar? The amygdala activates responses in the human brain when people face physical danger. It protected the first humans against the elements and predators. Walking down the street, you might not be worried by a hungry bear today. But indeed, you get concerned when an out-of-control vehicle approaches you. When the latter happens, you instinctively get out of the way. When a person experiences stage fright before speaking to an audience or a group, you might be surprised to learn that there may be a connection to the amygdala. Early humans needed to belong to a group to survive. Rejection then could have meant a high probability of death. Studies have shown that the amygdala retains the idea that a rebuff is a threat. Now you know why you won’t just introduce yourself to anybody. It’s not always because of a lack of confidence. Real versus Perceived Dangers Experience may play a role in why people have fears. Examples are public speaking and socializing. These can be stressful events that can trigger the flight or fight responses even when there are no threats to one’s life. Many of your responses to challenging situations may not be rational in hindsight. Instead, these were the result of your instinct to remain physically safe. The amygdala can block rational brain functions, especially when people are unaware of this. For instance, not knowing why your boss wants to talk to you might cause you to avoid or delay. But, if you pause for a moment and discover why the hesitancy, you might realize that your brain is exaggerating the situation and that there’s no real threat to your life. Take Deep Breaths Counting to ten before reacting or responding to a stressful situation gives the rational part of your brain time to process information. And take at least three deep breaths to lower your heart rate and relax your muscles. Knowing more about your brain, you can avoid overreacting and making rash decisions. When you face threats, you’ll discover most are not that serious.

Wellness Statistics You Should be Aware Of

Brain, Hạnh phúc tại nơi làm việc, Mindfulness, Productivity / By My Holland

The next time you see a lethargic employee dozing off, it might be more than just a lack of sleep. Telling an employee to go home early and get some rest may not be enough. There are underlying causes that leaders or bosses should know. It’s not employees are just physically exhausted. They can be mentally, emotionally and psychologically tired too. Their well-being might also be at stake! Organizations should be watchful and recognize which employees exhibit the signs above. The things you should know. First, a study showed that front-line employees are the most susceptible to burnout. Those who deal with customers daily can feel drained at the end of the day. Second, the same study found that 16% of employees experience work conditions that affect their sleep. Again, this should be a wake-up call for management. Third, 25% of employees feel exhausted after an average day at work. Fourth, about a third of employees start the day low on energy. The personal lives of employees can affect their job performance. For instance, most people think of bills to pay, the health of loved ones and the state of their personal relationships. It’s easy to tell them to remain focused while at work. But, if workplace conditions increase stress and anxiety, employees and the organization suffer. The things you can do. 1. Assign functions judiciously. As a means of staying afloat or profitable, organizations usually downsize. Additional responsibilities are passed on to the remaining employees. It’s common now for departments to take charge of functions unrelated to their area of expertise. It’s best for management to study which worker can handle more work. It isn’t enough to determine if a person has the required skills. One of the questions you must answer is whether that person can handle more stress. 2. Conduct job evaluations regularly. Ideally, employees should enjoy their job. But, maybe they are lethargic because there are tasks that they dislike doing. Or they no longer find their work motivating. As a result, they’re no longer excited to get to work. 3. Evaluate your physical workplace. Cramped cubicles, uncomfortable chairs, poor ventilation and lighting have adverse effects. Keep in mind that employees spend at least 8 hours a day at work. 4. Create or Update your Wellness Program. It doesn’t matter if you lead or manage a small organization. These programs aren’t for big groups only. Consider the following benefits: a. Improved employee health habits. b. Reduced stress and anxiety. c. Improved employee performance. d. Lower health care costs. Feature photo: Burnout vector created by redgreystock

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