[Neurons] 2019 Neurons #19 COGNITIVE MAKE-OVER ---IN BRAZIL

[Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

2019 Neurons #19

April 15, 2019

 

 

COGNITIVE MAKE-OVER

IN BRAZIL

 

I had the privilege to conduct the new Neuro-Semantic program, Cognitive
Make-over for Executive Thinking this past week in Rio de Janeiro.  As this
was only my third presentation of this training, a training based on the
book, Executive Thinking, yet different from it, I am still in the process
of working out the training structure and processes.  And I'm learning from
those in the trainings what works, what does not, and how to make it a
life-transforming experience.

 

One way I usually set out to discover this kind of information is simply to
ask, from time to time, after we cover a process or at the end of the day:
"So what will you take away from this?"  "What insights have you gained?"
"What difference will this make in your life back home, at the office, with
your colleagues?"  A common theme this time was about the very nature of
thought.  

"I thought I did a lot of thinking, I have discovered that I hardly actually
think at all."  "People have often said to me that 'You think too much.'
What I'm taking away is that I'm actually not thinking that much, and that
talk is not necessarily thinking."  Another, "Thinking is a lot of hard
work.  I've had more 'brain strain' in these three days that I had all year
last year."

 

Along a continuum of "thinking" ... starting from not-thinking (being
mindless) and not truly "working over an idea in your mind" and the six
stages of not-thinking to the ten-stages of actually thinking (mindfulness),
most people began realizing how little we actually think in a day's time.
When I have done an assessment of myself, I estimate that I only think about
5 percent of the time.  Most of the time I'm either on automatic (thinking
and acting from previous learnings) or maybe in the state of "knowing"
(feeling sure of what I know and not questioning it).  I'm on automatic
thinking when driving and in "knowing" when ordering at Starbucks(!).

 

For most everybody, discovering this was a new insight.  So also discovering
that real thinking means considering, questioning, and doubting.  Thinking
starts with what you do not know or understand.  If you know, if you
understand- then you are not thinking.  You are running a previous learning
or program.

 

I promised everyone at the beginning that they would have brain strain by
the end of each day.   The basis of my promise was contingent upon the
exercises that participants would experience. And when I checked, "Did
anyone experience brain strain today?" most said "yes, of course!"  While
there are no pain receptors in the brain itself, the brain is an organ that
requires lots of blood and oxygen and because of that, when you are mentally
working to get your head around an idea, considering it this way and then
that way- the effort of thinking consumes a lot nutriments, oxygen, and
blood.  That's why you can feel it.

 

Would you like to know how I packaged or framed the cognitive make-over in
Brazil?  I framed it around several items.

           First, unlearning.  What have you learned that just does not
seem to go in?  If you learn something, but then it doesn't seem to be
available to you out there in the real world, could there be something in
the way?  Could there be an old learning blocking the new learning from
going in so that it is available to you when you need it ?  What do you know
intellectually, but do not do practically?  Cognitive make-overs usually
begin here- learning to unlearn, to release what is old and no longer
relevant.

 

           Second, getting out of the knowing stage.  Another big cognitive
make-over for lots of people is giving up being "sure," and "understanding,"
and "certain."  These are actually dangerous states.  They operate as part
of the most essential human bias- We think we understand.  The truth is that
we hardly understand anything!  The illusion of understanding, the delusion
of certainty- this is the problem of those who are "Know-it- alls" who
cannot be told anything.  As a cognitive make-over, access a beginner's
state of mind, a know-nothing state, an openness to new learning and
re-learning is what makes a person a great learner. 

 

           Third, reducing reactionary states.  Lots of people, maybe even
most or people, have areas wherein they are reactive.  Push a button and
Pow!, they react.  There's a trigger which gets them, that rattles their
cage, and that deeply disturbs them.  It could be a word, a look, a tone, a
gesture, etc.  What is needed is a way to break these patterns so that the
person can respond (rather than react) as the person wants and chooses.  For
this we had some patterns for unplugging buttons and cleaning out the system
errors.

 

           Fourth, the next cognitive make-over is the first step of
thinking- considering.  This refers to trying on a new thought.  Taking it
on to see what it would be like, giving it a chance within one's mind.  This
is also the foundation of all listening and supporting - which, in turn, is
the foundation of all healthy relationships - leading, managing, coaching,
etc.  The person who cannot consider another person's ideas has severely
limited himself.

 

 

 

 

L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics

P.O. Box 8

Clifton CO. 81520 USA

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www.neurosemantics.com    look for this month's special offer

 

Author of the stunning new history of NLP--- NLP Secrets.  

Investigative Journalism which has exposed what has been kept secrets for
decades. 

 

 

http://www.neurosemantics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NLP-Secrets-2_sml2.
png

 

 

 

 

 

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