This is your brain on “continuous change”

Big events, such as life changes (moves, new job, promotions, weddings, births, deaths etc), as well as smaller regular daily shifts, like transitioning from task to task and skill to skill are all part of daily learning.  How we deal with change and transitions (big or small),  as individuals, as  organizations and as a  culture will determine  our present and future success.

Do you embrace the inevitable changes and transitions that are central to life, or do you avoid them until they are forced upon you and a choice is no longer there?

The dictionary defines Transition as follows:  movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another.

Examples of transition/change  could range from getting dressed,  going into a meeting, then going to another
meeting with a different focus, to brushing your teeth; beginning a therapy or fitness session, writing a report,
answering the phone, arriving home from work or  could also  be  an attitudinal shift,  change  in perception or belief. At any given time of the day, the volume of changes individuals are required to make could go from 20 to 50 within an hour span, and that is a conservative estimate.

Nothing stays  the same  for  very long.   Continuous  change  requires us to regularly address  how  we learn, research, communicate, collaborate, engage with others and model our behavior.  Each step in this ‘continuous identification  cycle’ is critical and applicable to our children, their learning; our  adult  learning as well as  an organization’s culture.    As we grow and change  it is advisable to prepare  ourselves  and our children  for the future.  How can we do this if we are in constant stress due to fast paced change and can’t adapt easily?

A great article in FORTUNE magazine emphasized  how universities are failing to prepare students with the
needed digital and social  media  skill set in a meaningful way. Dr. William Ward (handle  @DR4WARD) of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public  Communications says, "Higher education, like business, needs a culture shift."

What was interesting about this  article is that not only  does  the content of education have keep up with
continuous change - equally important, is the daily development of our abilities and skills to grasp and process this continuous identification cycle of change.  We are all in need of this skill set during these ambiguous timesand rest assured we are all quite capable of mastering it.  

Among  Fortune 500 companies, 73% now have company Twitter accounts and 66% have Facebook Pages. Analysts estimate that  $1.3 trillion in value stands to be unlocked by new social technologies. But while businesses are hungry to tap social media, they lack the expertise to do so. Among 2,100 companies surveyed by Harvard Business Review, only 12% of those using social media feel they use it effectively.

The result is an exceptional demand for social media professionals who can boost the bottom line. "Social
communication done well increases productivity, saves money and time, and improves engagement and
satisfaction," Ward says. "[It's] a part of a larger culture shift changing how work gets done."

With higher education not addressing this gap, it is essentially up to the employers to not only have a plan, but as part of it to fill, develop and manage this skill gap and cultural shift with new and current employees.  Too add one more critical consideration to this plan; companies are dealing with the most diverse mixture of generations ever!    The boomers, generation X,  millennial generation, each bring value, different perspectives and characteristics to their organizations.   Businesses with a social media focus, working with the continuous identification cycle of change also have to become social integrators.

Innovative companies will need to identify new ways of training that deal with organizational shift, continuous
new learning, mentoring and training support programs. Thankfully, all of these generations and programs have one thing in common: they can all successfully implement, retain and integrate new learning and change by introducing Brain Fitness programs.

Interesting how movement is listed as the first description word for the meaning of “transition” in the dictionary.  For those who are new readers, Brain Fitness is the state in which we are performing well, mentally, emotionally and physically/functionally.  Brain Fitness grew out of the study of neuropsychology and neuroscience.  It is the science of building, maintaining and training cognitive abilities through neuroplasticity stimulating neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons, and neural connections.

Research tells us that when in stress, the average person only uses a limited portion of their brain, leaving the
majority underutilized in day to day thoughts, decisions and actions. It doesn't matter how much new
information comes our way, we need a neurological system that can successfully integrate the learning and
transition it to action. This happens when our brain achieves greater connectivity.

Using Brain Fitness (integrative movement), you can support a cultural shift, and level and enhance the playing field so there is common ground  during a shifting and uncertain market place as well as support employees change and transitional opportunities for growth and training retention.  Retention of any new learning is key to organizational efficiency.  Our memory loses 50% of newly learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless we consciously review the learned material (Hermann).  This stat can actually fluctuate based on the individuals stress level.   Our Brain Fitness tools directly impact stress by removing physical, emotional, mental and functional stress.  

Brain Fitness breaks are  simple, easy and effective.  When implemented they  lead to  greater clarity, focus,
productivity and stress reduction. A drink of water and some of quick Brain Fitness movements will restore
balance and connection and yield tremendous results immediately and long term.  Most of all, we connect to our higher brain power, the neo cortex - the place where our executive functioning skills reside.  Now we become innovative visionaries and agents of change!  As we grow, adapt and transition our brain to higher functioning, this positively impacts our personal and professional lives.  

To learn more about your brain and gain understanding of the simplicity of the brain’s ability to grow and rewire itself for enjoyment, efficiency, achievement and health, consider joining one of our personal/professional development courses and make some new brain links for your success!   Brain Fitness is easy and extremely beneficial to us all, no matter your age or ability.

About the authors
Jill Hewlett and Sharon Todd are  co-founders of Brain Works Global Inc., licensed Brain Gym® Trainers,
Educational Kinesiologist and Cognitive fitness  experts. Their company trains clients on how to maximize their learning potential while working in conjunction with their group and individual goals.
For over a decade Jill Hewlett has been providing inspirational and educational  keynotes.  As well, Brain Works Global provides in house and community training and personal and professional coaching services to a wide range of organizations, schools and the community.

For more information go to http://www.brainworksglobal.com  or call Sharon Todd, Director of Sales and Operations 905.235.5546