Harness the Power of Mind-Body Synergy for Professional Advancement
Mastering success in your career isn't just about mental strength and lifelong learning; it's also about understanding and utilizing the connection between your body and brain. This is the core of Janice Kaplan's argument in her new book, What Your Body Knows about Happiness. Kaplan, a journalist and prolific author, builds on the now-overwhelming evidence of the body-brain connection from fields like psychology, neuroscience, and medicine.
Kaplan posits that happiness and career success aren't merely mental games--they are influenced by your physical self, too. Your body can boost your mood, increase productivity, enhance stamina, and elevate focus and creativity--the traits crucial for a successful and fulfilling career.
But how does this awareness of the body-brain connection impact your work performance?
"Think of it this way," Kaplan explains, "your brain is always scanning your body for information. When things aren't going well at work and you're trying to tell yourself you're fine, your brain simply isn't buying it. The strategy most people aren't aware of is making it work the other way, so that your body starts sending the message instead of your brain."
Let's dive deeper: what are some practical examples of leveraging your body to handle stressful work situations?
"When you're walking into a tough meeting or having a difficult conversation with your boss, for instance, you're likely to feel anxious. Your muscles tense, your hands sweat, and your voice trembles, impairing your argument. However, your brain interprets these physical cues, so instead of trying to convince your brain that you're calm, recognize the symptoms and see them in a positive light. Tell yourself, 'My body is preparing for a challenge, and that's exciting.' Approach the situation with a similar energy, but in a positive manner."
Some might argue that's merely reframing the issue; isn't it just semantics?
"It's more than that; it's connecting the semantics with your physical sensations. People often try to ignore what their bodies are telling them and talk themselves out of it. Instead, accept the symptoms, then view them in a positive light. That's the difference. When your body's stressed, it means your body's getting ready for a challenge, and that's a positive sign."
As remote work becomes more prevalent, how can people apply this body-brain connection approach to avoid lethargy and maintain motivation?
"Exercise is crucial for maintaining productivity. A Stanford study found that people come up with 50% more ideas when on a treadmill than when seated. Other studies show an 80-100% increase in ideas, demonstrating the significant impact exercise has on creativity. Set aside time for walks or workouts during the day to stimulate your mind and boost motivation."
By learning to recognize and harness the signals your body sends to your brain, you'll be well on your way to enhancing your performance and boosting your career.
- Janice Kaplan, in her book What Your Body Knows about Happiness, suggests that our brain is constantly scanning our body for information, and by recognizing the signals our body sends, we can make it work to our advantage in the workplace.
- In challenging work situations, instead of trying to convince our brains that we're calm, recognizing the physical symptoms and viewing them positively can help us approach the situation with a positive attitude, as ours bodies are signaling readiness for a challenge.
- Acknowledging the impact of the body-brain connection on career success, Kaplan emphasizes the importance of exercise in maintaining productivity, particularly in the context of remote work, where a Stanford study found that people generate 50% more ideas while walking on a treadmill versus seated.
- By accepting the symptoms of stress and viewing them in a positive light, as indicators of our body preparing for a challenge, we can connect the semantics with our physical sensations, making it easier to maintain motivation and avoid lethargy.
- Recognizing and leveraging the connection between our body and brain can notably enhance our work performance, as our physical state significantly influences our mood, productivity, stamina, focus, and creative thinking – crucial factors for achieving career success and personal growth.
