Craffies Coaching

During the past few months I were exploring the science of the brain and the link to our behavior, must say at this point the only thing that I know is how little I actually know of the field of Neuroscience.

However I would like to share the following information that changed my way of thinking and engaging, from the work of David Rock and discussed as my own interpretation. Research has proofed that at all times wê are engaging in one of the following types of thinking:

•Vision (Dreaming and creating new things for the better of the world and ourselves.)

•Process (Developing and optimising processes. The how of achieving. Building quantum relationships.)

•Detail (Thinking and talking about the detail. The rule is not to ponder to long, in this thoughts as one will not get to doing.)

•Problems (Thinking and discussing the things that are not working. Somebody had once said that this type of conversation is like water standing, it is no good and will shortly be invested by all types of insects and viruses, so let the thoughts move like a running river.)

•Drama (Thinking and discussing all those bad things that happened and will still happen and forgetting to open the Present in the moment.)

The research confirms that our thinking needs to be focused on vision and process. So my challenge to you is for the next month, reflect everyday were you were hanging around in your thoughts.

Philippe Croizon, become the first quadruple to swim across the English Channel. All the basic elements to be successful were present; Practice, support team, right resources, planning, a passion and so we can go on. Looking at this inspirational YouTube clip the courage and perseverance of Philippe is phenomenal. Enjoy the 2 min clip.

The past week I had the privilege to be part of an Emotional intelligence workshop where we explored our own Emotional intelligence and then explored the teams emotional intelligence. As we started to have the crucial conversations on what stood in the way of the team to operate as a High Performance team, the critical stumbling block where Trust.

Personally I believe Trust starts with personal trustworthiness. The next question we can then most probably ask is how can I be trustworthy. Ken Blanchard shared the following ABCD formula to be trustworthy:

Where the A stands for being ABLE, being competent in what we do.

The B represent the ability that other can BELIEVE us, so standing for what we say and also living for what we stand for.

The C represent that we CONNECT with our tribe, our team and our people in a manner where we really care for them. I would say to be a servant leader, to be a source of energy for our people.

Lastly the D stands for being DEPENDABLE.

Looking at the ABCD of trust it sound so easy, so simple, so much commonsense! However is commonsense, common practice in our interaction and our relationships every day?

“A warrior of light always keeps his heart free of any feelings of hatred. When he goes into battle, he remembers what Christ said: ‘Love your enemies.’ And he obeys. But he knows that the act of forgiveness does not mean that he must accept everything; a warrior cannot bow his head, for if he did he would lose sight of the horizon of his dreams. He accepts that his opponents are there to test his valour, his persistence, his ability to make decisions. They force him to fight for his dreams. It is the experience of battle that strengthens the warrior of light.” From Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light

“Don’t worry if you have problems! Which is easy to say until you are

in the midst of a really big one. But the only people I am aware of

who don’t have troubles are gathered in little neighbourhoods. Most

communities have at least one. We call them cemeteries.

If you’re breathing, you have difficulties. It’s the way of life. And

believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you!

Let me explain.

Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800

miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take

visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an

interesting question. “I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks

pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colourful,” a

traveller observed. “Why is this?”

The guide gave an interesting answer: “The coral around the lagoon

side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies

early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind,

waves and storms – surges of power. It has to fight for survival every

day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts.

It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces.” Then he added

this telling note: “That’s the way it is with every living organism.”

That’s how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive!

Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us

to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce

tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce

strength of character and faithfulness.

So, you have problems – no problem! Just tell yourself, “There I grow again!”

- Author Unknown

A good friend of mine always tell the story, of a story line in one of the Maternity Wards he visited: The first 30 sixty seconds of life is pretty dangerous, and then somebody added, the last thirty is also pretty dangerous.

The following quote by Allan Sacs; “Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives,” leads to the following question how do we life these moments between birth and death?

• Do we life our passion?
• Do we love unconditionally?
• Do we care?
• Are we creating a legacy?
• Are we brand ambassadors for Christ?
• Are we living our dreams, or other’s dreams?

Steve Job’s  share a few thoughts on: How to live before you die. He share some of his own life experience.

“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.” Henry Drummond

“You can make your life into a grand ever-evolving work of art. The key is your thoughts, the wondrous invisible part of you that is your spiritual soul.” Dr. Wayne Dyer