ThoughtRocket.com

#73–When Work and Joy Collide

ThoughtRocket - Chelsea — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:18 +0000

“Servant leadership” is a big word these days. It’s being propounded in corporate settings, religious circles, and between people in long-term relationships. It sounds like an oxymoron, which is part of what makes it so intriguing. How can you really lead if you’re serving?

To understand it, it’s best to turn the idea upside-down. In other words, start with service. What makes us want to “serve” something or someone? The answer is love. Something (or someone) that we’ll do anything we can for it. We’re not in it for what we get back–we’re in it for the good of that thing. (Or person.)

Leadership happens to these people unexpectedly. They’re so busy (and joyful) with pouring out their personal resources, they don’t realize everyone is watching them, following their example.

For five points right now, tell us about the aspects of your job where you can joyfully lose yourself. What projects do you love to work on? What moments of the day make you feel fully alive in your work?

Remember, thought into action = dedication

To learn more about finding joy in your work, click here

#72–Love and Be Loved

Realeadership — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:10 +0000

Ah, Valentine’s Day! The national holiday set aside for all our favorite feelings and emotions…

Stress. Anxiety. Loneliness. Disappointment.

Valentine’s Day might be the trickiest holiday of them all. On Valentine’s Day, everyone expects something more than just a card or a gift. They expect real feelings. Tenderness. Intimacy. Passion. (And you thought Christmas was stressful!)

Here’s a little-known secret. Brain scientists have discovered that the most fulfilling human experience is not being loved, but loving! Being loved just helps us do what we want most–express our own love and affection.

Of course, it’s a lot easier to love someone who loves you back in equal measure. But, as Shakespeare put it, “the course of true love never did run straight.” Sometimes we have to surrender up our expectations as a gift to the person we’re trying to love.

For five points right now, start a “cheat sheet” for your valentine. Think of two things–just two!–that your loved one would really get a kick out of. How can you reference those things in a Valentine’s Day card or gift, in order to let your sweetheart know that they are deeply known and appreciated for who they are?

Remember, thought into action = intimacy

If you want to learn more about how the brain thrives on love, click here.

The Only Thing Better than a Circus Is…

Realeadership — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:55:05 +0000

Last night I was meeting with Ted, our web wizard. We met at 8 o’clock, a time when I’m exhausted, but he’s just getting started. He’s one of these guys who lives on internet time.

We’re days away from launching Thought Rocket in its full glory. I told Ted how stoked I was to finally have a vehicle to potentially reach all the people I’ve never been able to reach in my life.

We spent most of the time talking about our next big piece of the Thought Rocket “ship”, which is Thought Rocket University. These are going to be weekly action-learning lessons, that give people bite-sized ways to learn all the things we know about health, happiness, etc.

Ted’s brain is like a circus on Red Bull. I get more done talking to him for 20 minutes than I do many people for 20 hours.

#71–Put Some Power in Your Words

Realeadership — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:04:30 +0000

Do you ever wonder why you’re not coming across?

It’s hard to find the right word to say just what you mean. And it’s not just a matter of carrying a pocket thesaurus around with you. Context and voice tone influence our speech in a million ways. Add in the fears and desires that always seem to choke us at the exactly wrong time, and it can feel like we’re just cavemen grunting and pointing our way through relationships.

The key to communication is learning what different words mean to you, and to the people who matter most to you. For example, if I hear someone say “I’m really disappointed,” it makes me feel like a colossal failure…even if their disappointment has nothing to do with me! But when someone says “I’m delighted,” I feel as if the whole world is on my side.

That’s my story–what’s yours? For five points right now, write down three words that really go deep to your heart. One that communicates love, one for encouragement, and one for displeasure. Ask your spouse, family or close friends to do the same thing later today, and learn what words you can use to really say what you mean.

Remember, thought into action = connection

To learn more about how to refine your communication, click here.

#70–The Spice That Can Save Your Life

Realeadership — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:54 +0000

It’s midway through January. You’re over the post-vacation slump, and back on task. Work projects are building momentum. Your exercise and diet have returned to normal. Your house may even finally be clean again!

So why do you feel so blergh?

Because it’s normal. In case you forgot, it’s still winter. Until the weather patterns decide to make a New Year’s Resolution to be more positive and bright, we’re going to have to reenergize without their help.

That’s where pepper comes in. Yes, pepper. Salt’s best friend.

I’m serious. The capsaicin compounds in pepper–especially the freshly ground, vividly colored varieties–stimulate the metabolism, raise body temperature, and best of all, release endorphins, the brain’s feel-good chemical.

For five points right now, try the simple trick of flavoring your lunch with a little more spice than usual, and tell us how it makes you feel. Or, if you’ve got another powerful little trick for boosting your winter workday, share it with us in the comments below.

Remember, thought into action = ingenuity

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of pepper, click here.

#69–When You Hit the Wall, Walk Through It!

Realeadership — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:50 +0000

No matter how driven you are, or how you thrive on deadlines, we all get to the point where we have run ourselves into the ground. Unfortunately, sometimes that point arrives at 3pm on Thursday afternoon. Still two hours in the day to go…and another day after that!

What can you do when you really hit the wall? Pop a pill? Choke down some microwaved coffee? Science shows us that, in this situation, the best thing to reach for is our iPod.

Our brain’s alpha waves, the ones that make us perform at the peak of our abilities, are stimulated by listening to certain types of music. What type of music really depends on our taste and what’s appropriate in the moment. (That’s why we’re drawn to bring Jay-Z or Led Zeppelin to the gym, but play Miles Davis while we’re cooking a great meal.)

For five points right now, tell us what kind of music puts you in a relaxed but focused state. When during the week do you need this kind of brain recharge most?

Remember, thought into action = flow

If you want to learn more about the benefits of listening to music while working, click here.

Eager Anticipation…Borderline Anxiety

Realeadership — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:01:46 +0000

Wow.

We have started beta-testing the SuperPower career course.

We are testing it with people who don’t know me or follow Thought Rocket, to see if we have the life-altering course I have poured myself into.

It’s like showing a movie to preview audiences.

I have nothing but gut-rot waiting for results and feedback.

#68–How Full Disclosure Can Help You Grow

Realeadership — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:22 +0000

It’s two weeks into the new year, and if you’re a normal human being, you’ve probably had at least one setback in your resolution by now.

We tend to want to keep our failures to ourselves, either out of embarrassment or simply the desire to not be a “complainer.” But there’s a big difference between constantly bemoaning your inadequacies, and being candid with the people in your life who can help you grow.

Psychologists have known for a long time that repression only perpetuates harmful behaviors. Groundbreaking research on the brain’s feedback loops confirms it. When we fall short, it’s only natural to feel disappointed with ourselves. But by keeping our feelings inside, we short-circuit the brain’s power to grow through the disappointment, out of the harmful behavior.

Who are your advocates, and when do you open up to them? During late-night talks with your spouse? Do you consult a group of trusted friends? Do you have a religious tradition that provides spiritual relief?

For five Gap/Outlet Reward Points right now, tell us where and with whom you unburden yourself. Does it help you, or could you use a healthier setting for honest confession and genuine growth? What feels good about being open with your struggles?

Remember, thought into action = truthfulness

If you want to learn more about the benefits of transparency, click here.

#67–How Your Values Will Transform Your Life

Realeadership — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:49 +0000

What do you love?

Remember from last week, when we asked you to name the three things on earth that you value most? The idea was to start thinking about how your value for those things can help you make decisions.

Your greatest values are even more powerful than you realize. Not only can they help you make decisions in life as it is. They can even help you change your life into what it should be.

I love that moment in the “I Have a Dream” speech where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. mentions his hope for his four children. How often do you think he looked at them for the courage to persevere? Sometimes the big picture is too big and too distant to inspire us. Sometimes we have to dedicate our efforts to the things that nobody cares for like we do. That’s harnessing the power of your values. It’s brave, and it’s amazingly transformative.

What do you love? That specific, seemingly trivial thing is your key to getting important things done.

For five Gap/Outlet Reward Points right now, go back to those three things you love most, and meditate on them. What greater good do they represent to you? Share with us in the comments below.

Remember, thought into action = courage

If you want to learn more about the power of your values, click here.

#66–Don’t Limit Your Own Freedom

Realeadership — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:17 +0000

We all want to stand out. To make our mark. To express our individuality.

Like most good desires and goals, though, this can become a mania. If we fear that our uniqueness might be hindered, or not accepted, sometimes we act out of character. We go to extremes, just to prove that we are free.

One of the most powerful self-expressions is the ability to remain who we are without having to be recognized. Recognition is great, don’t get me wrong. And your best friends and closest confidants are those who know all your ins and outs. But when you know how unique you are, regardless of when and where you’re “allowed” to express it, that power will infuse everything you do and say.

It’s like an undercover superhero. He could bust out of the mild-mannered disguise at any time, but he waits until it will do the most good to the greatest number of people. Wisdom like this is the real power behind the superpower.

For five points right now, share an example of a unique trait that you have that isn’t always met with approval. How do you steward this character trait among people who don’t “get” it? Where do you find the most freedom to express it?

Remember, thought into action = liberation.

If you want to learn more about self-expression, click here.