Take Care of Your Brain

 “The energy of the mind is the essence of life." ~ Aristotle, The Philosophy of Aristotle ~

Consider physical exhaustion.  What does it do to you?  Do you become slower?  Is it harder to breathe?  Do you become clumsy?  Did you have accidents?  Consider, now, mental exhaustion.   What does it do to you?  Do you become mentally slower?  Is it hard to concentrate?  Do you become forgetful?  Do you make mistakes?   Physical and mental energy are often connected but sometimes they are not.  When you are physically exhausted and it effects your mental state, quite simply, get some sleep and you can think again.  But, what if you are not physically tired but mentally tired?  Sleep is not the answer.   Instead, take a mental break. What do you do to energize your brain?  Exercise, play with a pet, get something eat, play a game or better yet meditate?  Because, what will you achieve with a tired mind?  Effective leaders will take mental breaks to energize their thinking and create insight.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will find the time to take mental breaks to energize my mind.

Release Anger for Success

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. ~Buddha

When was the last time you were, as we Texans say, spittin' mad?  Last week, yesterday, or five minutes ago?  How do you feel?  Do you feel refreshed and energized? Or are you drained and unable to think of anything else?  If it was last week, are you still thinking about it?  It's OK to be angry.  It is what you do with that anger that will keep you from success.  Strong admirable leaders do not live in an anger state.  You cannot think about positive thoughts if your brain is full of painful resentment.  You can't think two things at the same time.  It's time to stop thinking about that which makes you angry and instead focus on that which makes you strive. 

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will release any anger I have, so that I can

lead with positive strength."