By Eleanor Shakiba Impact Interesting Articles 0 Comments

This is why you can’t do more than 2 things at a time

If you believe working on twenty goals at once makes you productive, think again. Recent research shows that your brain can’t focus on more than two goals at a time.  Indeed, it works most efficiently when you only have one goal in mind. This is because your brain  allocates resources to every goal you’re working on. The more you take on, the less resources can be assigned  to each goal. Here’s how neuroscientists found this out.

They tracked the brain activity of 32 people who were working on complex tasks. In the first stage of the experiment,  participants were given a letter-matching task. All the letters were in lowercase at this stage.  MRI scans showed that both sides of the volunteers’ brains were working in harmony to get the job done during this phase of the experiment.

Next, the researchers added more complexity to the sorting task. The participants now had to deal with both uppercase and lowercase letters. Now the volunteers’ brains split the work, with each task being processed by a separate side of the brain. Put simply, each hemisphere was chasing its own goal and reward.

 

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Finally, a third task was thrown into the mix. Now the participants consistently forgot one of their tasks and made three times as many errors. So, it seems that human brains can’t effectively juggle more than two tasks. As one of the researchers put it when you work on more than two goals, “Your prefrontal cortex will always discard one.”

So, what does this mean for you? One obvious  lesson is to limit the number of goals you work on at any one time. Having a long list of tasks might feel productive, but it’s not sustainable in the long run. Instead, try focusing on just one or two goals at a time, and give them your undivided attention until they are complete. If you’re a professional, this means prioritising your projects and deadlines and not taking on more than you can handle. If you’re a manager, it means changing your expectations and considering the brain’s limits  when assigning tasks to your team.

The bottom line is this. Multitasking may seem like a great idea, but in reality, it can decrease efficiency and lead to more errors. It is wiser to single-task.  By focusing on one goal at a time, your brain can allocate all of its resources to that task, leading to better results and less stress. So next time you feel tempted to take on multiple goals at once, remember the research and focus on one thing at a time for optimal productivity. Your brain will thank you.

You can read the original article here.

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

By Eleanor Shakiba Credibility interesting articles 0 Comments

Want more influence? Here are 4 research-backed ways to get it

Do you want to increase your influence and impact? Then you might be interested in a recent article in the International Small Business Journal. It explains four language strategies that successful entrepreneurs use to  increase their influence. These are all research-based, so  you know they are effective.

  1. Help your listener fill in the blanks

According to the article, influential entrepreneurs often leave room for their listeners’ imaginations to fill in details when they’re describing the future. This works because it  allows the listeners to create their own mental images and become invested in the idea or plan. As a result, they are more likely to support it.

  1. Turn imagination into reality

Researchers discovered that successful pitches frequently describe an idea as though it already exists.  For example, an entrepreneur might say  “This is how we’re revolutionising communication” instead of  “This idea could revolutionise communication” By using this strategy, the entrepreneur is presenting the idea as a reality and showing confidence in its potential success. This can be very persuasive to investors and other stakeholders.

  1. Show you understand their needs

The study of successful entrepreneurs found that they establish connections between their ideas and the needs of their audience. From this, you can learn the value of understanding stakeholders’ needs and showing that you understand  them. This will make you more credible and build trust, ultimately increasing your influence.

 

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  1. Use concrete examples

The article also emphasises the importance of using concrete examples to illustrate your ideas. This helps to make abstract concepts more relatable and tangible for listeners, making it easier for them to understand and support your ideas. Additionally, using real-life examples can help to establish credibility and demonstrate the potential success

  1. Power up with data

The study revealed that persuasive entrepreneurs are very selective about the data they use to support their arguments. They handpick evidence to  align with their main message. Plus, they only use small amounts of data to avoid overwhelming their audience. This highlights the importance of using data strategically to back up your ideas and make a stronger case for them.

To delve deeper into this fascinating study and learn more about the impact of high-impact language, read the original article here.

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

 

By Eleanor Shakiba Confidence tips 0 Comments

Why imposter syndrome is a problem for high achievers

Have you ever wondered why so many high achievers have low confidence? Or why imposter syndrome seems to be the flipside of talent? Well, there’s a simple explanation.  The very traits that propel talented professionals towards success can also undermine confidence. For example, most high achievers have exceptional levels of self-discipline. But that can mean they never take breaks – which is a guaranteed way to burn out and destroy your confidence. In fact, I’ve seen so many talented professionals fall into this trap that I’ve made it my mission to help. That’s why I created the Complete Confidence Lab, which is enrolling now.

In the Complete Confidence Lab, I explain three paradoxical thinking patterns which can snare you in a cycle of imposter syndrome and low confidence. Do you relate to any of them? I sure do!

The competence myth

This is the belief that you can’t be confident unless you know how to do everything. Think about it. That’s an impossible standard to live up to. If you believe the competence myth, chances are you ‘re constantly comparing yourself to others and finding yourself lacking. Obviously, that’s one of the fastest ways to destroy your confidence. So, stop equating competence and confidence. They’re not the same thing.

 

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The control myth

Have you ever been told you’re too controlling? Or do you joke about being a control freak? If so, you’re probably under the spell of the control myth. This is the belief that being in control will make you feel confident.  But here’s the truth – nobody can control everything. Trying to do so will only lead to stress and anxiety, not confidence. It’s time to explore how genuinely self-assured people tackle life. Spoiler alert: it’s all about learning to thrive in uncertainty.

The high standards myth

Yikes. This one is tricky to beat. That’s because having standards is so strongly associated with success. And it’s true that high standards are great… up to a point. However, too much of a good thing can be damaging.  It leads to perfectionist overworking and constant self-criticism. Both of which feed imposter syndrome.

Do these thinking patterns sound familiar? If so, you’d be a great candidate for the Complete Confidence Lab. Check it out here and join me in breaking free from imposter syndrome and building lasting confidence.

This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.  Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders. 

By Eleanor Shakiba POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 0 Comments

What’s going on in a narcissist’s brain: a new study reveals intriguing patterns

Are you curious about what goes on inside the mind of a narcissist? A recent research study has shed light on the intriguing neurological patterns that underlie narcissistic personality traits. It provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between brain circuits and personality traits.

It turns out that a specific brain circuit serves as a powerful predictor of narcissistic traits. This circuit involves regions such as the lateral and middle frontal gyri, angular gyrus, Rolandic operculum and Heschl’s gyrus. But the discoveries didn’t stop there. The research also uncovered an intriguing combination of normal and abnormal personality traits that can be used to forecast narcissism.

 

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On one hand, traits like openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness appeared to be linked to narcissistic tendencies. On the other hand, traits such as borderline, antisocial, insecure, addicted, negativistic and Machiavellianism also played a role.

The significance of these research findings cannot be understated. They provide a scientific basis for understanding narcissistic behaviour and offer hope for improved approaches to dealing with narcissists at work and home. As the study’s lead researcher says, “This research opens up new avenues for exploring narcissism and provides a foundation for further investigations into personality disorders.”

You can read the original article here.

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

 

By Eleanor Shakiba Confidence tips 0 Comments

Thinking habits that drive high confidence

Are you ready to take your professional success to the next level? Look no further!  The way to get there is by harnessing the power of complete confidence. And there’s a simple formula for doing that: program your brain’s confidence circuits; swap self-defeating behaviour for success regimes and use breakthrough thinking to unearth great solutions every time you hit problems. These are the thinking habits that hardwire your brain for confidence. Now let’s look at each step in more detail. Remember, the key is to practice, practice and practice until each thinking habits become second nature. My favourite way to master new thinking habits is to choose ONE to focus on each week. Whenever opportunities arise to use the thinking tool, try it out. Soon, using it will be automatic and you can move onto mastering the next skill.

Program your brain’s confidence circuits

It’s sad but true. Your brain is built to keep you alive, not make you confident. This is why is seems easier to focus on where you went wrong, rather than what you did right. But thankfully, the brain is a bit like plastic – it can be moulded and reshaped to support new habits. To make confidence your default state, you need to do two things.

First, you must strengthen your self-belief circuits. Then you must weaken your self-sabotage circuits. Use the power of mental rehearsal to achieve both outcomes. First, imagine a fully confident version of yourself. Then imagine that New You thriving in situations where the old you struggled. Do this every day to activate the neural pathways support confident states.

 

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Swap self-sabotaging behaviours for success regimes

From avoiding conflict to zealous over-working, there are a thousand ways to sabotage yourself every day. To be truly confident swap your self-limiting habits for success regimes. For example, instead of putting off difficult tasks, make a habit of doing them first thing. Or learn to raise issues assertively instead of avoiding tough conversations. Think about the behaviours that are holding you back and replace them with actions that drive success.

Use breakthrough thinking to solve problems

News flash: confident people encounter as many problems as you do.  But they tackle them differently. They don’t dwell on what the problem is or how bad it feels. Instead, they focus on finding solutions. This is where breakthrough thinking comes in. It’s a skill I teach in my free masterclass, Hardwired for Confidence. So, if you haven’t learned how to do it, sign up and learn today!

Remember that confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill that can be learned at any age. By programming your brain’s confidence circuits, swapping self-sabotaging behaviours for success regimes, and using breakthrough thinking to overcome problems, you can boost your confidence and achieve greater success in all aspects of your life. So what are you waiting for? Start using these thinking habits today and watch as your confidence soars!

This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.  Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders. 

By Eleanor Shakiba Impact Interesting Articles 0 Comments

How daydreaming recharges creativity

As a professional, you’re constantly juggling dozens of tasks and responsibilities. But it turns out it might be better to spend time doing nothing.  I recently read a fascinating article about why this is. It  all comes down to the ‘default network’ in your brain, which becomes active each time you’re at rest.

Picture this: you’re lost in thought, not focused on any specific task. That’s when the default network comes to life. It helps you make sense of your experiences, consolidate memories and even come up with brilliant ideas. Throughout the day, when you engage in activities that don’t require your full attention your default network comes to life. It facilitates communication between different brain regions, helping them to work harmoniously together.

Recent research  has shown the default network plays a crucial role in creative thinking, problem-solving and synthesising complex information. But it only works when you’re not working! So, here are some tips for making the most of this little-known network in your brain.

 

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  1. Embrace downtime: schedule regular breaks throughout your workday to give your brain a chance to rest and activate the default network.
  2. Engage in mindful activities: try mindfulness practises like meditation or journaling during your downtime to promote self-reflection and boost creativity.
  3. Go somewhere quiet: find somewhere that allows you to have moments of solitude and uninterrupted thinking. This will give your brain the freedom to explore new ideas.
  4. Balance focus and rest: recognise that periods of rest are not wasted time. They’re essential for brain rejuvenation. Alternate between focused work sessions and intentional breaks.

In a world that celebrates constant busyness, it’s essential to recognise the value of rest and tap into the power of your default network. By understanding how our brain operates during periods of rest, we can unlock untapped potential and improve our professional performance. So, take a moment to embrace the power of doing nothing and let your default network work its magic.

You can read the original article here.

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.