🧠 Weekly Mind Sweep #102| Manage Your Mind | Reflection
December 2023
Week 100: Curated Conversation; Reflection
Week 101: Mind Your Business; Reflection
*Week 102: Manage Your Mind; Reflection
Week 103: What’s On My Mind; Reflection
New to the Weekly MindSweep? Past issues live here.
Let’s sweep the brain…
Reflecting is an exercise for the brain.
As humans, we all have a brain. While they function similarly, we each bring our experiences to the table, shaping how we think and behave. Or, as I like to say, we have "Minds Of All Kinds,"
Being in our mosaic community with you is my favorite place.
Like, my heart bursts just thinking about it.
As we delve into the captivating world of Reflection this month, I wanted to share some brain geekiness with you. Grab your popcorn, we’re going backstage!
"The Default Mode Network [DFM] is a network of interconnected brain regions that become active when our minds are at rest and not focused on the outside world. It's often associated with introspection, self-reflection, and mind-wandering.
One of the key functions of the DMN is to engage in self-referential thoughts. When the brain is at rest, it often turns inward, reflecting on the self, one's past, future, and personal experiences. This self-referential activity can lead to moments of quiet contemplation and self-awareness, contributing to a sense of stillness.
Mindfulness and meditation techniques have been shown to regulate the DMN. By learning to navigate the DMN's activity, individuals can find a healthier balance between self-reflection and distressing rumination." [1]
"Science says that the benefit of reflection is tangible and profound. In fact, many studies have shown that reflection is much more than just a meditative or spiritual practice—it's a research-supported cognitive approach by which you can drastically improve virtually any process." [2]
In short. At rest, our brain naturally looks within to process information.
To learn.
It's okay; you are not alone.
Uh, so now what?
Take time today to review - where you spent your time and energy. What worked? What didn't work? Grab a piece of paper, make two columns, and let all the reflections flow. Then, review again. What didn't work that I need to change? What did work that I could improve on?
2024 is here - From this list, what could benefit your attention in the future? Take a few minutes to consider each one and what needs to be the priority starting point for the health and success of your business.
Consider support - Where could your business benefit from support? What still needs to be done? What isn't getting done? Why? Where are you ready to receive support to grow? [2] Want a free consultation? Schedule one here.
Detours are natural, and reflection is a tool for realignment.
If you worked on one of these items (or an item of your own), you still get to reflect!
Reflect - From what you focused on for 2023, what worked? What didn't work? Where is there room for improvement?
Discern - Do you feel ready to take on a new goal or priority for 2024, or does your 2023 goal need more work?
Perspective taking - If I were to review your business for last year, would I see that you've spent your time, energy, and attention focusing on that goal?
Challenges and unexpected events are part of the entrepreneurial journey.
All of this work is strengthening neuropathways around what is a fact and our feelings, findings, and the future. [4]
Yet, reflection is incomplete without action:
Without action, there would be nothing to reflect on.
We need reflection to know how to take the following steps.
We must take action to learn and then pause to reflect on what we learned.
We cannot just reflect on what went right; we must also reflect on what didn't go the way we thought. [5]
I love your presence in our conversations. The world changes when you take a step back to reflect.
I'm curious how one of our Curated Conversation topics has changed your perspective. Where do you carve out the space to reflect amidst the entrepreneurial journey?
The Entrepreneur's Brain Trust
Supporting entrepreneurs in pursuing profitable ideas
The Chickbook Creative Entrepreneurs Brain Trust is a membership-based community that creates a safe and inclusive space for entrepreneurs to cultivate new relationships, inspire personal and professional growth, and explore possibilities.
What members are saying…
Click the image to learn more about https://beefieldsfarm.com/
A place for my digressions.
If you want to improve your reflective practice, check out the Reflective Tool Kit I found during my research this month!
[1] The Neuroscience of Self-Reflection
[2] How Reflection Helps Us
[3] Quote by Virginia L'Bassi
[4] The Four F's of active reviewing
[5] Did you miss our month on Failure? I promise it's not scary.
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What I’m reading
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
“We live in a world that’s obsessed with talent. We celebrate gifted students in school, natural athletes in sports, and child prodigies in music. But admiring people who start out with innate advantages leads us to overlook the distance we ourselves can travel. We underestimate the range of skills that we can learn and how good we can become. We can all improve at improving. And when opportunity doesn’t knock, there are ways to build a door.
Hidden Potential offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Adam Grant weaves together groundbreaking evidence, surprising insights, and vivid storytelling that takes us from the classroom to the boardroom, the playground to the Olympics, and underground to outer space. He shows that progress depends less on how hard you work than how well you learn. Growth is not about the genius you possess—it’s about the character you develop. Grant explores how to build the character skills and motivational structures to realize our own potential, and how to design systems that create opportunities for those who have been underrated and overlooked.”
What I’m listening to:
Positively Living: Do Less, Live More... Breathe Easier.
How Mind Mapping Helps All Brain Types Focus Better with Jamie Chapman
“As we continue to explore tools that will work best for you, it’s time to feature a classic called mind mapping, a tool you can use to diagram your thoughts and ideas. If your brain is overwhelmed and making lists isn’t helping, mind mapping may be the tool you need to help you focus and plan. This week, episode 186 of the Positively Living Podcast is about how mind mapping helps all brain types focus better!
In this episode of the Positively Living Podcast, Jamie shares how our creative entrepreneur brains challenge us to stay focused, and she gives you actionable steps to take right now to try mind mapping. Listen and let’s see if you want to add to your productivity tool box.
Jamie and I cover the following topics:
What is MindSweep Mapping and areas of our life and business we might use it for.
How MindSweep Mapping can address our surplus of ideas, both in terms of ideation and project planning.
The distinction between a MindSweep Mapping and a venn diagram (both having to do with relationships).
Inspiration and steps you can use to try MindSweep mapping out yourself.
Small steps truly make a huge difference. I encourage you to try MindSweep Mapping. Keep it as simple as possible with just one idea to start. Then, you can work your way up to bigger, more complex brainstorming projects.”
Collaborations!
MetroWest Chamber
Limited to 12 Spots
Friday, January 5, 2024
9am-11am
For 2024, we'd like to make a focused effort to support you and your business. In January, we'll discuss a strategic plan.
Why do you need one?
What does one look like?
Create your own!
Join Shannon Giordano of Serendipity Social Media and me for this two-hour interactive business community experience.
We’ll discuss ways to cultivate business through Sales, Marketing, and Communication methods that support relationship building, showing up authentically, and connecting deeper with colleagues and the people you serve.
9-10 am - Gain a new perspective or tool to support you and your business
10-10:45 am - Open discussion, community support, brainstorming ideas
10:45 -11 am - Clear and actionable takeaways to start your month in forward momentum
Join us to meet business owners in our community. Leave with new tools in your toolbox to help you make connections and build your business!
Free to Attend; Register
Mindful Connections
Connecting like-hearted entrepreneurs to build relationships, offering support, understanding their passions, and sharing their names in rooms of opportunity.
January 2024
Thursdays 12-1 pm
12:00 - Take 5—a guided meditation with Terri Hamilton of Apparent Connection to ground your week with peace and focus.
12:05-1 pm Round-table Share
Who you are
The gifts you bring to the world
Who you serve
The answer to a Curated question to spark conversation.
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In other news…
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