Casing Your Institution Article II: Finding the Hidden Lessons
In the previous article we discussed the over rules of an institution in comparison with the covert rules. Now that you have had time to explore the overt rules thoroughly, it is time for you to explore the covert rules. One must know the overt rules very well, before one can see the covert rules, because they are just about invisible and they are usually in opposition to the overt rules.The overt statements and documentation of an institution, if it is democratic, states what

Leverage Your Talents for Maximum Success
We live in a cookie cutter world. In my neighborhood, the new homes have the same floor plan, the preteens all wear the “Abercrombie” uniform and the moms drive one of five acceptable SUVs. It’s no different in the business world where getting ahead involves following a prescribed set of procedures. Why is our uniqueness a liability? Is it because the alternative to following the crowd gives way to the potential for rejection? And who wants that? Not me and probably not you. Eve

Creative Job Choices - 5 Jobs to Consider When Job Hunting
Creative people are often forced into a rut when it comes to their careers. They tend to take jobs that are stifling and routine, instead of jobs they can blossom in. They think only in terms of finding a job that can support them instead of finding a job that does more than put food on the table and clothes on the back.It doesn't have to be like that. Creative people can find careers that will pay them to be, well, creative. They just need to think of it in a creative manner. scare me too!

The amygdala is the part of our brain that holds emotional memories; those two words emotional memories are the key. Whenever we are faced with a stressful event or crisis, which awakens our emotional memories, our amygdala “hijacks” our working memory. We then experience the classic “fight or flight” reaction, with a flood of adrenalin and cortisol. When cortisol levels are high, we make more mistakes, are more distracted, and can’t remember as well; even if we are only trying to recall something we just read. In other words, when we are hijacked by our amygdala we all become very, very scared.

The trick to dealing with hijacks in the work place is to become more self-aware and make different choices. First recognize what you are feeling, second realize which one of your emotional memories caused the hijack and finally choose to respond in a new way. Of course all of this requires being brave, but you can’t be brave until you have first been scared. Think of it this way, being scared is the first step in being brave.

In my case, my amygdala hijacked my emotions (meaning simply that I was really, really scared without a really, really good reason) when I had to assert my rights and request someone fulfill their obligation. Although this might cause some of us to be intimidated there is a smaller select group of us that would feel more scared than intimidated. I was not so much scared of requesting someone do their job, as I was scared that they would think I had no right to tell them what to do, even though they were working for me. My rights seem to always be trumped by someone else’s right to act however they want, even if they are treating me unfairly. When my rights are involved – I recognize that the first thing I feel is “scared”; a classic hijack!

Second, I had to realize the root cause of that feeling. Trust me on this one, once you know your root cause it is easier to see that all the emotion you are pouring into a hijacked situation is really coming from another place, a place in your emotional memory. This is a little like once you have been traumatized by a rabid, foaming at the mouth dog, in the future, the mere sight of any dog can cause you to run for the hills. A classic “fight or flight” amygdala hijack moment!

Finally, we can all choose to respond to hijack attempts in a new way. Just because you have tried to be brave in the past and ended up over-the-top scared in the process doesn’t mean that is how you will always react. Once you have recognized you are in the midst of a hijack moment, and realized the root cause, then remind yourself that because you are now more self-awar

work place is to become more self-aware and make different choices. First recognize what you are feeling, second realize which one of your emotional memories caused the hijack and finally choose to respond in a new way. Of course all of this requires being brave, but you can’t be brave until you have first been scared. Think of it this way, being scared is the first step in being brave.

In my case, my amygdala hijacked my emotions (meaning simply that I was really, really scared without a really, really good reason) when I had to assert my rights and request someone fulfill their obligation. Although this might cause some of us to be intimidated there is a smaller select group of us that would feel more scared than intimidated. I was not so much scared of requesting someone do their job, as I was scared that they would think I had no right to tell them what to do, even though they were working for me. My rights seem to always be trumped by someone else’s right to act however they want, even if they are treating me unfairly. When my rights are involved – I recognize that the first thing I feel is “scared”; a classic hijack!

Second, I had to realize the root cause of that feeling. Trust me on this one, once you know your root cause it is easier to see that all the emotion you are pouring into a hijacked situation is really coming from another place, a place in your emotional memory. This is a little like once you have been traumatized by a rabid, foaming at the mouth dog, in the future, the mere sight of any dog can cause you to run for the hills. A classic “fight or flight” amygdala hijack moment!

Finally, we can all choose to respond to hijack attempts in a new way. Just because you have tried to be brave in the past and ended up over-the-top scared in the process doesn’t mean that is how you will always react. Once you have recognized you are in the midst of a hijack moment, and realized the root cause, then remind yourself that because you are now more self-awar

maller select group of us that would feel more scared than intimidated. I was not so much scared of requesting someone do their job, as I was scared that they would think I had no right to tell them what to do, even though they were working for me. My rights seem to always be trumped by someone else’s right to act however they want, even if they are treating me unfairly. When my rights are involved – I recognize that the first thing I feel is “scared”; a classic hijack!

Second, I had to realize the root cause of that feeling. Trust me on this one, once you know your root cause it is easier to see that all the emotion you are pouring into a hijacked situation is really coming from another place, a place in your emotional memory. This is a little like once you have been traumatized by a rabid, foaming at the mouth dog, in the future, the mere sight of any dog can cause you to run for the hills. A classic “fight or flight” amygdala hijack moment!

Finally, we can all choose to respond to hijack attempts in a new way. Just because you have tried to be brave in the past and ended up over-the-top scared in the process doesn’t mean that is how you will always react. Once you have recognized you are in the midst of a hijack moment, and realized the root cause, then remind yourself that because you are now more self-awar

is really coming from another place, a place in your emotional memory. This is a little like once you have been traumatized by a rabid, foaming at the mouth dog, in the future, the mere sight of any dog can cause you to run for the hills. A classic “fight or flight” amygdala hijack moment!

Finally, we can all choose to respond to hijack attempts in a new way. Just because you have tried to be brave in the past and ended up over-the-top scared in the process doesn’t mean that is how you will always react. Once you have recognized you are in the midst of a hijack moment, and realized the root cause, then remind yourself that because you are now more self-aware, you have the power to choose a new, healthier response. Oh yeah, you will still be scared the first few times you try this, but each time you should be just a little less scared and a little more brave.

There you have it; why being brave is so scary. In reflection, if I had known becoming brave would have required so much of being scared first, I would have done it anyway. I prefer to be more self-aware by recognizing my feelings, realizing why I feel them, and responding to them in a healthier manner. Well, at least most of the time.