WorkingAwarenessNetwork : monday morning minute

Have you ever been blindsided by some feedback, requested or otherwise, that was completely unexpected?  Perhaps feedback that tipped you off your center?  This recently happened to me twice in the same week. 

Not all feedback is going to be what we “want” to hear but it does not mean we “shouldn’t” hear it. The first feedback I received was an email from a reader that started with “Shame on you Mr. Stein.”  This reader felt that an article I wrote about getting caught up with work and resisting time with my daughter was appalling.  After my first gut reaction, which was to defend my point, I found myself sitting with what the reader had said and was able to digest the email.  I saw that, for me, there was nothing to justify and I let it go.

Yesterday, however, was a bit different.  I received an email from a reader at Ameriprise Financial.  He shared a valid concern about last week’s MMM titled “Neuro-Forecasting”.  After reading the email, I immediately saw his point of view and realized that nowhere in the article had  I discussed how the lecture at Ameriprise inspired me.  The Trainer, at that lecture, spoke of Moral Intelligence and the importance of helping clients understand emotional decision-making. What I neglected to include in that MMM was the acknowledgement of that company's sense of responsibility to educate their staff, clients and their community. This lecture actually stimulated further thinking on my part in neuro-topics that lead me to writing that MMM.  

I must admit I felt heartsick for quite a while as I sat at a blank email screen wondering how to accurately respond in a way that would express my sense of embarrassment as well as my gratitude for the courage it took to share this feedback. This invaluable feedback, however hard it was to hear, inspired me to see where I missed the mark.

The workplace is a ripe place for giving and receiving feedback.  The lesson I learned this week is two fold. First, we often miss the opportunity for contribution by choosing not to provide constructive feedback out of fear of making waves or being misunderstood.  And second, we can continue to cultivate an inner awareness and openness to receive what we may not “want” to hear in an effort to hear some vital truth.  Not doing either can lead to layers of resistance in your working environment and cause huge communication breakdowns.

Monday Mindfulness
Notice where you’re resisting either giving or receiving constructive feedback with someone in your community and make a step to give or receive in an open and connected way.

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Keep your eyes out for the prefix “neuro” which is rapidly coming into modern day business conversations.  You’re going to see words like neurobusiness and neuropolitics.  Just last week a past client from Ameriprise invited me to hear a speaker share about neuroeconomics.

What’s up with all the neurology?

By studying brain chemistry, business and political agendas will get a competitive edge on understanding the physical, mental, and, yes, biological reactions of their target market otherwise known as you and me.

Now this is not new information.  Advertising firms have spent billions of dollars in an attempt to understand how they might tap into the emotional control centers of the public brain.  For decades, they have followed the scientific research and employed scientists of their own in an effort to understand how you and I react and what is going to make us choose their product, whether it be pain pills or presidents.

Research money is being spent, not only to study the emotional impact of our decision making, but also, specifically, to learn what neurologically occurs inside our body while making these decisions.

Now just like the Force in Star Wars this information can be used for good or evil.

However if it is used at all, I don’t want to be played in that manner; I want to know as much about my decision making as the next neuro specialist selling me something.  Don’t you?

One of the ways that we begin to understand our own reactions, is through the study of Mindfulness. We take a look at the contents of our consciousness without judging ourselves. This can give us some spaciousness to notice our reactions without thinking or making any automatic decisions. This gives us some time to notice where we have automatic urges and has us choose powerfully out of fullness rather than fear.

A teacher of mine, Alan Cohen, often says, “Use Your Mind or Someone Else Will.”  And I now see how true this statement is.
Monday Mindfulness

This week bring awareness to your physical and emotional states when making any decisions regarding money.  Slow down your automatic urges just long enough to make powerful choices.

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Do you want to know how you can use your mind so other people don't? 

12 Week Mindfulness Program

Love this minute or hate it?  Share your comments in the reply box below.

Hello MMM Readers,

This week I am launching an out-reach program called "Welcome to Freedom."                            

Over the past few years and this past year specifically I found myself in times of worry and anxiety which I call a scarcity mindset.

During these times of spiraling worry, anxiety, and feelings like there is just not enough time or resources there always comes a moment where I lift my head and my heart to a higher level of thinking.  From this place I remember I can choose to shift my focus from a scarcity mindset to the perfect mindset.   

Each time this mindset shifts from not enough to sufficiency, my gratitude grows and new doors effortlessly fly open, doors that were even beyond my wildest dreams.  Once again I am re-minded what freedom there is in connecting with the wisdom in my heart.  Just one little shift changes everything.

Experiencing these moments of instant freedom have been life changing and rewarding. I'm now left with a strong desire for others to experience this freedom first hand.  Therefore I'm offering 100 thirty-minute freedom sessions absolutely FREE.  Free means free like a birthday gift or a hand shake, no catch and no hidden clauses.  These lucky 100 individuals will have the opportunity to shift from scarcity to freedom in a matter of minutes. 

Space will be limited to a few hours each week and will be on a first come first serve basis.  The intention of this program is simply to give back to all of you who have supported me, who read the Monday Morning Minute and who have furthered my growth and the growth of my business.  This is about helping 100 people who want to take a step forward in creating a life that they LOVE and for me to step into greater levels of contribution and service to my community. 

What are my strengths you ask?  Well I am often told that I am a trusted advisor who will share the honest truth in a manner that helps people get what they want from their work, life, and the world.  I'm a die hard catalyst for adventure and a fire starter for the greatest part of you. 

If you're interested in one of the FREE sessions please read below for the details.  Know someone you'd like to share this with, forward it on!  The recipients do not have to be MMM readers.

The Details

There will be a limited number of 4 thirty-minute phone sessions available each week.  Sessions will continue to be booked throught out this year until 100 participants have been reached.

The Purpose

To share my time, passion and to inspire 100 people into the direction of freedom so that they can begin to create a life that they LOVE.  To give whole heartedly without any expectation of return.

The Promise

I promise not to manipulate, upsell, or bait and switch these sessions in any way.  Although I would not turn away or be opposed to future work together, my intention is soley to be of service on each session and help you begin to create clarity in your life.

The Request

My only request is that sometime during the week of your session you'd be willing to post a comment about your experience in the reply box provided below.

If you'd like to join me in this journey please put your contact information in the "Leave a Reply" box and I will contact you shortly. 

In Gratitude,

Jason 

The Mindfulness Maverick 

We can learn by observing life.  If we are looking, it happens everywhere. It happens when we are walking in nature, sitting in meditation, and yes, even watching the Super Bowl.  

What about the guy in the Lazy Boy, drinking a beer and stuffing his face with hot wings as he watches a football game ?  Do you think that he’s learning life lessons?

He is if he is really watching. In football, you can see a wide receiver leap at a full sprint, catch a pass, and get drilled by the player on the other team.  The wide receiver isn’t focused on getting hit, but rather on catching the ball.  When he catches that ball and gets tackled, he’ll dust himself off and go back for the next play. And he knows that he did what he set out to do. The guy feels great!

Who this player is being is someone who is going to catch the football no matter what.  He knows that the other team is waiting for him and that they will do whatever it takes to push, pull, and punish him for his mission.

We’ve all been tackled by life, at times, through financial woes, relationship breakdowns, or health issues.  The key is to keep playing even when the unexpected shows up and tackles us to the ground.  It's all about paying attention and keeping your eye on the ball.

Monday Mindfulness
Get into your own Super Bowl game this week and ask yourself: Who would I be being and if my obstacles weren’t a problem?

PS  Introduction to Freedom Coming This Week

PSS Loved this Minute or Hated it - Post your perspective in the box below. 

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