Thoughts on Life and the Economy

During my morning workout, I caught Deepak Chopra on Morning Joe on MSNBC.  He was talking about his new book Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul and explaining how to address stress in this tough times.  Chopra was emphasizing many of the points that I advocate for leading in this times:

• Take time to reflect
• Be grateful

  Image via Wikipedia

• Be generous of spirit
• Focus on relationships not consumption
• Listen to your intuition
• Think of your heroes, mentors, people who have helped you ...

Chopra had a top ten list of things to do from his book to become "whole."  But he summarized his findings by saying that when you shift your mood, your perception changes, your thinking changes, your relationships change, your social interactions improve, and your biology is positively affected.

Jann's Note:  Sages have learned to behave in these ways.  We can learn to do this also.  But it takes time and commitment. 

Do you want to become a sage?

Comments

[Katlyn Bargren]

I also think that it is interesting that your mood can effect your perception of the world around you. We tend to get caught up and think that everyone and the world is against us. But if we take a minute to step back we can see that this is hardly ever the case. If we change our mood and our outlook on everything we have the power to change our reality. With the same situation/event, when you're happy can be drastically different than if you were sad or stressed at the time. This is powerful.

[Amanda Whittle]

I also agree with Katlyn when she talks about how our mood can effect are perceptions of what is going on around us. When I am in a poor mood, I tend to look at how wrong everything is, but when I am in a good mood, I tend to look at the positives in everything. I also think that if you have a positive mind, then you will be more successful than if you view things more negativly. It is amazing how your perception can really change how you behave and view things.

[Jann Freed]

Attitude is a choice and we have to remember that. It is easy to forget and let our reactions take over instead of thinking about the attitude we want to have. I do think it affects everything.

[Jann Freed]

Perception is powerful and that is why in diversity work or even in marketing--it is hard to change perceptions. But it can be done usually based on life experiences. We need to continue to add to our experiences and remain open minded. That always helps! Thanks

[Tanner]

Addressing stress is essential for everyone in everyday life. If it was only that easy. I would have to say that when doing yoga really helped me with dealing with my stress. You also mentioned being grateful and I remember doing a gratitude journal in Org Behavior. That also goes along with our moods. Even if we are having a rough day, we need to find a way to find something possitive and turn a rough day into a good day.

[Zach Marks]

Figuring out what is stressing you is very important. You need to find ways of dealing with stress and ways of relieving it. I escape these by pole vaulting. It is something that allows me to clear my mind and makes my body feel well. I am getting excerise and melting my stress away.

[Jann Freed]

I want to know more about pole vaulting. It could be similar to yoga in the sense that you are so "in the moment" that you are thinking about nothing else. That is a great stress release. Is this something you can continue to do after you are out of college?

[Jann Freed]

I am glad Tanner that you remember the gratitude journal and that you found some value in yoga. I really believe that thoughts drive feelings which drive behaviors that drive performance. It is all related. Thanks

[Nicole Ellingson]

With the way our economy has been it's no wonder that people's stress level has gone up. I know that these 3 weeks are going to be very stressful for me and most students in college. However, I have learned through my creativity experience that I can deal with stress through running. I have been so fortunate this semester with the weather that I am still able to go out and run for miles. It keeps me balanced and refreshed, and I am going to have to keep this up the next couple of weeks to survive. My gratitude journal for Organizational Behavior has also been a good way for me to keep things in perspective. As the semester as gone on I have noticed more what people have done for me, and I am incredibly grateful for that. This journal helps us remember what's important and how being grateful can change your mood.

[Jann Freed]

Nicole--Thanks for the comment. It is nice to know you think the activities might be making a difference. You can use this reflection for ideas in your leadership learning plan. Keep thinking! Thanks