Understanding Human Behavior | Science of success

I’ve always been intrigued by why some individuals soar to great heights, conquering obstacles with ease, while others struggle to reach their full potential. What distinguishes these two groups? I was interested in exploring the mental, emotional, and behavioral factors that lead to positive outcomes, that support our goals, and allow us to live fulfilling lives. Versus those that have the opposite effect, causing us to feel stuck, disjointed, and fearful. My curiosity led me to the fascinating field of positive psychology to seek answers to understanding human behavior. science of success

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions, behaviors, and characteristics. It is concerned with understanding and fostering the conditions that allow individuals and communities to thrive and flourish. This includes things like happiness, gratitude, resilience, and positive relationships. Positive psychology is focused on the “good life”, and aims to help people live more fulfilling and meaningful lives by encouraging positive attitudes and behaviors. It is a relatively new field, having only emerged in the late 20th century, but it has quickly gained popularity and is now an important area of research and practice in psychology.

One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think. ~ Martin Seligman

Could unlocking the secret to happiness and joy simply boil down to knowing the necessary conditions and nurturing aligned actions, thoughts, and behaviors? The possibility of achieving human flourishing fascinates me. As I reflect on my own outlook on life, I can’t help but contrast it with the struggles of others, including my younger sister who tragically took her own life at the age of just 33. And my dear friend, despite his immense talent and intelligence, is consumed by bleak perspectives and possessed by a self-sabotaging mindset. science of success

So the goal of today’s blog is to explore the science of success and lasting joy. What small mental shifts can we make to be well-prepared for the thistles and thorns, and the inevitable thunderstorms that come our way? What makes us come alive and feel connected and what are the fundamentals to move through life with a strong sense of Self?

Let’s start with a brief look at brain function, process, and habit formation.

Understanding The Brain | science of success

The human brain is often referred to as the most complex structure in the known universe, and with good reason. It is the birthplace of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and it holds the keys to your individuality and personal experiences. When it comes to understanding your emotions, the brain plays a crucial role in the way you perceive, process, and respond to stimuli in your environment. Whether it’s a positive experience like falling in love or a negative one like experiencing fear, the brain is responsible for shaping your emotional responses and memories.

As you navigate through life, you build a vast network of emotional connections and memories that influence how you interact with the world. These connections are formed through your experiences, relationships, and cultural background, and they create a unique emotional landscape that is unique to each individual. By understanding the intricate workings of the brain in relation to your emotions, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the depth and complexity of your own experiences and those of others. Whether it’s exploring the power of positive thinking or discovering new ways to manage stress and anxiety, understanding the brain is a vital component of living a happy and fulfilled life. science of success

Executive Function | Science of success

The executive function of the brain refers to a set of cognitive processes that help you to regulate your emotions and behavior. These processes allow you to plan, organize, and execute tasks efficiently, as well as manage your thoughts and impulses. They play a crucial role in shaping your mental and emotional well-being, and can greatly influence how you react to various stimuli in your environment.

For instance, when faced with a stressful situation, a well-developed executive function can help you to control your emotional response and remain calm. Conversely, when the executive function is weakened, you may find it harder to regulate your emotions, leading to impulsive and reactive behavior. For example, someone with a strong executive function may be able to take a deep breath and step back when their boss criticizes their work, while a colleague with a weaker executive function may lash out in anger. By improving executive function, you can better manage your emotions and navigate life’s challenges with grace and poise.

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and reorganize itself in response to new experiences, learning, and environments. It is a key factor in the formation of habits, as it allows the brain to create new neural connections and strengthen existing ones through repetition and use.

When you perform an action repeatedly, your brain becomes more efficient at performing that action by creating a neural pathway that is dedicated to it. This pathway becomes stronger and more automatic over time, making it easier for you to perform the action without having to think about it. This is how habits are formed.

For example, if you make a habit of exercising every morning, your brain will create a neural pathway that is dedicated to this activity. As you repeat this action over time, the pathway will become stronger and more automatic, and it will become easier for you to get up and exercise in the morning without having to think about it.

In this way, neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in the formation of habits by allowing the brain to change and adapt in response to new experiences and behaviors. It’s worth noting that the process of habit formation is the same whether the habit is good or bad. It doesn’t discriminate between a healthy or unhealthy, good or bad habit. Once a habit is learned, it becomes the prevailing mode of thinking and behavior when practiced over and over. Science of success

As we gain a deeper insight into the workings of our brain and its unique qualities, how do we harness emotions, behaviors, and characteristics to?:

• Enhance our lives in meaningful ways
• Awaken our senses and feel more alive and connected
• Foster a robust sense of self
• Cultivate resilience
• Live with purpose
• Deepen our connections with others
• Cultivate gratitude and empathy
• Infuse more joy and laughter into our lives
• And summon the bravery to take bold steps toward our goals

Enhance Life in Meaningful Ways

Many of us find ourselves trapped in a daily routine that’s far from fulfilling. Burdened with monotonous tasks and feeling undervalued, it’s easy to fall into a state of complacency. The same old 9-to-5 grind day after day can make life dull and uninspiring. Loneliness often creeps in, leaving us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. The days blend together, with no new adventures or passion to break up the monotony. Apathy and lack of motivation and excitement plague us at the core and we lose touch with ourselves and the world outside. We become disconnected, lacking focus and drive, leading to feelings of isolation and emptiness. Sceince of Success

Despite having more wealth, influence, data, literature, and education, our nation is witnessing a surge in depression. Surely the opposite would be expected in a more prosperous and powerful country, but instead, the rates of sadness, isolation, and despair seem to be rising. And you can’t help wondering what is causing this paradoxical trend.

When we look at modern man, we have to face the fact…that modern man suffers from a kind of poverty of the spirit, which stands in glaring contrast to his scientific and technological abundance; We’ve learned to fly the air like birds, we’ve learned to swim the seas like fish, and yet we haven’t learned to walk the Earth as brothers and sisters… Martin Luther King Jr.

Prolonged exposure to dull, lonely, and monotonous environments can have negative effects on the brain, leading to decreased cognitive function and increased risk of depression and anxiety. Research has shown that lack of stimulation in these environments can lead to decreased brain plasticity, lower production of neurotransmitters, and decreased activity in regions of the brain associated with motivation and reward.

These findings suggest that the environment plays a crucial role in shaping brain function and mental health and highlight the importance of seeking out diverse and stimulating experiences for maintaining brain health.

Step out of the shadows and embrace human connection! It’s a common misconception that solitude is the answer to loneliness, but in reality, connecting with others strengthens empathy and provides a sense of belonging. As you engage with others, you gain greater self-awareness and self-knowledge, leading to empowered decision-making and healthier choices in all aspects of your life.

Change The Environment Change Your Life | Science of Success

It’s not easy to just up and change your life and start doing things you never did before. But it is necessary if you want your life to be different. If you want to feel a sense of happiness and experience a more meaningful existence. Happiness is a construct of both your inner and outer worlds. It is not just a passive state of being but an ongoing process of fresh challenges, creative expression, and meaningful pursuits. It takes the right attitudes and activities and a proactive approach to continue to be happy. Science of success

For example, studies have shown that engaging in acts of kindness, practicing gratitude, and focusing on your strengths can all have a positive impact on your overall happiness and satisfaction with life.

Research also shows that your thoughts and emotions are closely connected and that the way you think about a situation can have a significant impact on how you feel. For instance, if you focus on the negative aspects of a situation, you are likely to feel stressed or overwhelmed. On the other hand, if you focus on the positive aspects of a situation, you are more likely to feel happy and motivated. This is why techniques such as mindfulness, visualization, and positive self-talk can be so effective in helping you to manage your emotions, boost your mood, and transform your life in very real and profound ways. Discover more about Mindfulness in my 3-part video mini-series.

In his book “Learned Optimism,” Martin Seligman posits that cultivating a positive perspective is key to developing learned optimism. This is in contrast to learned helplessness. Optimism is directly associated with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. Optimistic individuals are overall healthy – both physically and emotionally. By replacing negative self-talk with more positive thoughts, individuals can learn to adopt a more optimistic outlook. According to Seligman, negative thinking – often seen as a symptom of depression – is in fact the root cause of the disease. He states that depression does not stem from unconscious conflicts, unresolved childhood issues, or brain chemistry, but instead directly stems from conscious thoughts. Emotions are a direct result of our thoughts; for instance, thinking “I am in danger” leads to feelings of anxiety, thinking “I am being wronged” leads to feelings of anger, and thinking “I have lost” leads to feelings of sadness. Seligman believes that depression is a result of lifelong patterns of negative thoughts and that by changing these patterns, it can be cured. Use this FREE Coaching Tool to evaluate cognitive distortions that may be negatively impacting your mental health and well-being. Science of success

Feeling good about life and about yourself makes you feel alive. It imbues you with confidence and courage. At its peak, you feel invincible. You make the 9 to 5 a pleasure, and bring light to the daily grind. You embody the spirit of creativity and adventure, always seeking new challenges and opportunities. Your energy is infectious and you make other feel alive and inspired as you push past your limits and discover your own passions. You are the adventurous chef that brings new and exotic flavors to the plate. The daring entrepreneur who takes calculated risks to deliver innovative products to the market, or the intrepid traveler who explores new lands and cultures. You live life to the fullest and make the most of every moment. Science of success

You are not just happy but are usually successful in your own right. You achieve a level of satisfaction and fulfillment that is often elusive to others. You make people believe that anything is possible, that life is full of possibilities and opportunities waiting to be seized. You are the representation that it is never too late to start living a full life, to make a difference, and that joy and happiness is a fundamental right, waiting to be claimed. Science of success

Embarking on new adventures, exposing yourself to new learning opportunities, and experiencing new environments all have a profound impact on your brain. These experiences forge new neural pathways, which in turn shape and reinforce existing ones. This process of building and strengthening these connections doesn’t just promote physical and mental well-being, it also leads to a higher likelihood of positive outcomes in your life. Think of your brain as a garden, with each new experience serving as a seed. As you plant more seeds and tend to your garden, it begins to flourish, becoming lush and abundant. The same is true of your brain – every new experience helps it grow, becoming stronger and more resilient. And just as a well-tended garden is filled with life and vitality, so too is a well-stimulated brain. Science of success

So go ahead and take that next step, whether it’s a new adventure or simply a new thought. Your brain will thank you for it, and the positive outcomes you’ll experience as a result will be simply extraordinary!

The Brain and Creativity | Science of success

Creativity has been found to have a positive impact on the brain by promoting various cognitive processes such as divergent thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. It also stimulates the brain’s plasticity, allowing it to make new connections and form new ideas. Engaging in creative activities has also been linked to increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in executive functions such as working memory, attention, and inhibitory control. Creativity has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance overall well-being and mood.

But there’s a secret sauce to embracing your inner artist and unleashing your imagination. It engenders a state of mind called flow that is experienced in learning or creative moments or participating in a beloved sport or activity.

Finding Your Flow | Science of success

Flow as coined by the legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a state of heightened focus, engagement, and enjoyment that can occur when you are fully immersed in an activity. It is often described as a “state of flow” because it feels like time is standing still and you are completely in the moment. Flow is typically associated with activities that are challenging but not overwhelming, and that provide clear goals and immediate feedback. When you are in a state of flow, you feel energized, focused, and completely engaged in the task at hand. It is a state of mind that is often described as being “in the zone,” and is associated with high levels of productivity, creativity, and enjoyment. Flow is thought to be closely related to intrinsic motivation, which is a type of motivation that comes from within rather than from external rewards or incentives. When you are intrinsically motivated, you are driven by a sense of curiosity, interest, or passion for the activity itself, rather than by the desire for external rewards or recognition. Therefore, flow can be seen as a form of intrinsic motivation at an experiential level, as it is a deep, immersive, and enjoyable state of mind that is driven by a sense of intrinsic interest or enjoyment in the activity itself.

Moments of flow are good for the Soul. They wake us up with excitement and infuse life with meaning and significance.

How The Brain Is Impacted In Moments Of Gratitude

Positive psychology considers gratitude to be a key principle and recognizes its beneficial impact on the brain.

When you experience gratitude, the brain releases oxytocin, which is also known as the “feel-good hormone.” This hormone is associated with social bonding and has a calming and soothing effect. Gratitude can also activate the release of dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating mood and emotions.

Gratitude also helps activate the brain’s default mode network, which is associated with self-referential processing and introspection (relating information, often from the external world to the self). This network has been linked to feelings of happiness and satisfaction and has been shown to be less active in people with depression.

Practicing gratitude has also been shown to increase the density of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and self-control. This increase in brain density can lead to improved cognitive functioning and increased overall life satisfaction.

Strengthening the connections between the brain regions associated with emotions, social cognition, and memory can result in an increased ability to regulate negative emotions and a reduced tendency to focus on negative experiences and rumination.

Practicing gratitude has also been shown to increase overall life satisfaction, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhance feelings of joy and happiness. These benefits are believed to stem from gratitude’s ability to shift your focus from what is missing in your life to what you already have, leading to a more positive and optimistic outlook. Science of success

Gratitude has a powerful effect on the mind and can be practiced in everyday moments such as:

1. Keeping a gratitude journal – writing down daily or weekly things, people, or experiences that you are thankful for
2. Gratitude meditation – spending time in mindfulness and focusing on things that you are grateful for (Try my Guided Gratitude Meditation)
3. Saying grace before meals – taking a moment to express gratitude before eating
4. Writing thank-you notes – expressing gratitude through written words to friends, family, or colleagues
5. Practicing gratitude affirmations – repeating positive statements about gratitude throughout the day
6. Performing random acts of kindness – doing something thoughtful or helpful for others and reflecting on how that makes you feel grateful
7. Expressing gratitude in relationships – taking time to appreciate and acknowledge your loved ones regularly
8. Gratitude Jar – keeping a physical jar to store written notes or trinkets that symbolize what you are grateful for
9. Spending time in nature – connecting with the natural world and reflecting on the beauty and gifts it provides
10. Reflecting on challenges – viewing difficult experiences as opportunities for growth and learning

Intentional Steps Create Lasting Change | Science of success

Taking intentional steps and being proactive can lead to positive and lasting change. You form stronger bonds with those around you by recognizing the shared humanity in us all. This awakening of the “namaste” principle ‘the spirit in me sees the spirit in you,’ ignites a fire within, illuminating your passions and guiding you towards your true purpose. There is an abundance of joy and laughter. A connection to the grand scheme and to something greater than yourself. And as you develop new skills and foster a robust sense of self, your inner resolve grows stronger and you live life from a place of authenticity and power, achieving your goals, living your mission, and making a profound difference in the world.

Work with Me!

A wonderful result of coaching is seeing the world through brand new lenses. Lack, fear, and limitations are replaced with new attitudes, beliefs, habits, and a mindset that supports your growth and success. Coaching creates a road map for the future and provides tools to help you journey through life with confidence and clarity. Start a beautiful new chapter of your life. Schedule a FREE one-on-one, ‘Life Strategy’ Session with me today! , Yes, that’s how close you are to creating the life of your dreams! ❤️ Science of success

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With Grace and Gratitude

Michelle

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