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Coaching and Training
for People and Organizations

May 2005 Online Newsletter

Action Learning Associates, Inc.

www.action-learning.com

We invite you to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues

TECHNOLOGY and WORK: Cell phone interruptions, IQ, and productivity

Your cell phone and Blackberry are reducing your IQ!

Ever bothered by a call during a meeting? Or, ever bothered when someone else takes a call during your meeting?

In the 5/03 newsletter "face2face" is this press release from Hewlett Packard: "Far from making workers more productive, the findings of a new scientific experiment reveal that those who "over juggle" and who constantly disrupt meetings and important tasks to read and respond to messages, significantly reduce their IQ. In a series of tests carried out by Dr. Glenn Wilson, Reader in Personality at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, an average worker's functioning IQ falls ten points when distracted by ringing telephones and incoming emails. This drop in IQ is more than double the four point drop seen following studies on the impact of smoking marijuana. Similarly, research on sleep deprivation suggests that an IQ drop of ten points is equal to missing an entire night of sleep. This IQ drop was even more significant in men who took part in the tests.

"This is a very real and widespread phenomenon," explains psychologist Dr. Glenn Wilson, "We have found that Info-Mania, if unchecked, will damage a worker's performance by reducing their mental sharpness." (source: Ian Percy in speakernetnews.com)

This finding reminds me that we need to control our work environment. I imagine that you know someone who is inclined to take calls amid conversations. So, how do you respond to those cell phone interruptions?

ADVENTURE TRENDS: Lessons from the Mountain Sports Festival Adventure Race, in Asheville, NC

On May 1, 2005, I raced in a three-person 60-mile adventure race that contained mountain biking, downriver canoeing, trekking/ trail running, bush-whacking, and navigation. Many teams did not finish this 12-hour race; we finished in 9th place. Navigation was essential. Here are some points and applications to your world.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Share the Navigation
This race began when we were given the maps and numbered locations for checkpoints at 6:00 a.m. The wind howled at 4800' near Mt Pisgah and the temperature was in the 20's. So we huddled inside the car and quickly plotted the course. Minutes later, we ran onto a trail and raced into the forest. We were enthusiastic, but going in the wrong direction. The trail we wanted veered off but did not connect with ours. We corrected the error, bush-whacked over a short ridge, and found the trail. However, we lost 20 minutes because we did not all look at the trail options. Then, mid-afternoon, we lost about 60 minutes when we looked for a checkpoint in the wrong area. We had not plotted it onto the map correctly. Those experiences remind me of Stephen Covey's question about finding purpose at work, "Is your ladder leaning on the correct wall?' Hmm. We spent time pursuing the wrong goals. Are you pursuing the goals that will grow your business?
Select your success team carefully
In this race my success team was comprised of 2 teammates and a support person. None of us had raced together before, but we shared some values. An enthusiastic friend wanted to race, and we found an enthusiastic woman over the internet. Notice that each teammate was enthusiastic! When we paddled against headwinds for 2.5 hours we needed to sing, bail water, and keep good kayaking form. The result was that we had one of the fastest overall times on that section. If you associate with optimistic, successful people then you will be more likely to attain your goals. In my business, my success team consists of my family, accountant, sales coach, business coach, mastermind group, and several coaches in a monthly call circle. Each helps me excel. And so I wonder, who is on your success team? What kind of people do you want to attract to your success team?
Types of adventure- from physical to emotional to cognitive to spiritual
Adventure races are a microcosm of life and business. They are a snapshot of time, with exaggerated highs and lows, which reflect all aspects of a group's progress toward a goal. Like your work, there are checkpoints and transition areas along the way. Sometimes people ask if the physical abilities are the main reason for the success of one team or another. The short answer is "no." Emotions define the winners. For instance, in this race the winners are friends of mine who quickly stated afterwards, "We encouraged each other to race smart, and race hard. We felt like the race was ours to win." Similarly, a recent coaching client stated, "I feel so much confidence right now, that my clients just feel it. Then they state it. And one aspect of my business is up 400% for the year. And this is only first quarter data!" Emotions define the winners. So, how are you showing your winning attitude?

ACTION STEPS AHEAD: Three next steps for you

What is your adventure goal?

Regardless of your answer, you will need to demonstrate emotional self care as you approach that goal. Springtime is the season for new life. It is a good time to take care of yourself. That winning attitude will help you reach the adventures ahead.

Emotional self care is defined by 3 competencies, emotional expression, energy management, and resourcefulness. Here are some exercises for you to enhance emotional self care in each of those competencies.

Emotional Expression: Find the Correct Words

Select a work related loss (such as a conversation that did not go your way) and recall the scenario as objectively as possible. Then re-play the scenario and vary any aspect of your behavior until you visualize your desired outcome.
When emotionally charged (with anger, fear or sadness) privately label your feelings. Then label the thoughts or judgments that accompany that feeling. In that moment, try to calmly and firmly express how it made you feel.

Energy Management: Find the energy

Schedule your energy renewal breaks throughout the day and week and year. (e.g. water cooler conversation, a walk outside, a nutritious snack, a meditation.) Vary the types of renewal breaks. Increase the frequency of your renewal breaks during stressful work periods.
Develop your optimism. Start by saying "Yes" and focusing on the positive possibilities,

Resourcefulness: Focus on what you need

Select a work related challenge. List several possible courses of action. Select one possible action. List the Pluses and Deltas (changes). Select another course and repeat,
Seek older coaches or mentors who can help you determine other courses of action.

NEWS FLASHES

For aspiring writers:

On Thursday, May 26, 11:00-12:30 a.m. EST "Creative Book Marketing 101" tele-class offered through the International Coaching Federation, co-presented with Michael Chiodi (www.getyourbookoutnow.com) and Anna Marie Sinatra (www.sinatrasolutions.com) call 1-904-357-8707, limited to 100 people.

NEW BOOK PRESS RELEASE

ADVENTURE COACHING; A GUIDEBOOK FOR ANYONE IN LIFE AND WORK (isbn 0975884107)

Are you frustrated managing the priorities in life or work? This new book is both a map and a compass.

I just received this email: "I received your book two days ago, just in time to keep me from resigning my position. Instead, I've lit a fire under my own feet and challenged myself into leadership. Thank you!" A free sample chapter, table of contents, and assessment inventory are online.

Available at www.action-learning.com or www.adventure-coaching.com ($15 ea and bulk discounts) or at any online bookstore ($16.95 ea & tax/shipping).

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

My current adventure goal is to sell this new book to thousands of people, so that they can serve others. I need your help to do so. How can you help me get this book promoted in radio, television, or sold at large organizations? Because of your interest, I know that we can help thousands of others reach their goals!

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