Realizations Inc

How to use brain-function secrets to communicate more effectively

Studies have shown that the average person spends about 80% of waking hours communicating. Communicating effectively is an art. Often people expect the brains of others to function much the same as their brain does. When this does not occur, because every brain is different, the communication may get muddled or fail altogether. While you can’t make others listen, you can increase the odds that they will, and you can increase your communication effectiveness—by design. What a great method to reduce stress and frustration and save energy!

How to choose thoughts and words to increase your success

"Don't think about the white bear!" Right. Now you find yourself thinking about the white bear even more. Do you know how to get what you want to accomplish into working memory? Do you know when willpower rarely works?  Growing up, many people heard seven to nine negative comments for each positive one. With all that negative "programming," many never learned the art and science of an affirming communication style. No wonder they sabotage their own success! Begin now to develop a more effective style.

How to use brain-aerobic exercises to slow down the aging process

Emerging research has shown that stimulating your brain every day with challenging mental exercises can help to retard the onset of symptoms of again. Yes, there are brain abnormalities and conditions that defy almost any strategy, but regular brain-aerobic exercises can benefit the vast majority of individuals. You can do these exercises individually or invite your friends over for an hour of stimulating fun. It is worth a shot—but you are the only one who can do it for you!

Age-Proofing YOUR Brain -- you're the only one who can!

Are you concerned about how your brain will function as you age? Scientists agree that preventing brain deficits will always be easier than restoring them. More than half the factors that have been found to impact aging and the brain are within your partial if not complete control. It really involves creating a brain-friendly lifestyle.

This seminar is designed to outline key factors along with strategies and practical applications that you can implement immediately to help age-proof your brain and assist you in retaining your memory. In fact, you're the only one who can do it--for you!

How to hone your "intelligent memory"

Don't remember where you left the car keys, who you just spoke with, or even your own name? Without your memories and an ability to recall them, you could be in this pickle! You would be unable to know who you are and what has happened to you in the past. You would not recognize your loved ones, dearest friends, or beloved pets. You would “forget” anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, your favorite things. Everything! Research studies are beginning to validate the full impact of what can be derived through challenging brain stimulation. Practically applied, this information may be able to help you strengthen at least one form of memory, improve your recall, and perhaps slow down the aging process. It is worth a shot but you are the only one who can do it for you!

How to bust your brain's bad behaviors

What is a bad behavior? One that results in negative outcomes! During gestation your brain began to shape itself, to create internal software programs (habits) that eventually enable you to engage in repetitive activities and achieve a consistent and predictable outcome. Every brain wants to feel good, too, and pushes its owner to self-medicate to achieve that sense of wellbeing. Knowing how to alter software can be critical to your success in life to say nothing of your level of health and potential longevity.

How to laugh and last . . . there WAS something to that old saying after all

A spoonful of laughter makes the medicine go down! Where does laughter reside in the brain? Can it really alter brain chemistry? Why does one person laugh when another doesn’t? Is there any evidence that laughter can improve one’s state of health? What’s the difference between having a keen sense of humor and laughter? Current research is providing answers to these questions and more. Studies show that laughter really is good medicine—good age-proofing medicine (e.g., it is an anti-aging strategy). It can also enhance learning and help with recall. And it’s free. Such a deal! 

Use music to enhance your brain and its functions

More than 300 years ago the French composer François Couperin recommended that children should begin studying instruments by the age of 6 or 7. He was right! Is studying music for children only? No! It can be of benefit at any age. In fact, it may be the fastest way to build skills in all four chunks of the thinking brain or cerebrum. The study of music offers the type of challenging stimulation that can retard and sometimes even prevent the onset of symptoms commonly associated with the aging process (e.g., senility). In other words, it's rarely too late to begin!

How to use your brain by design to be more successful

The way your brain functions determines the quality of your life! Unfortunately, your brain doesn’t come with a pre-printed owner’s manual. This means that you may not be using your brain in a way that can enhance your success, minimize conflict, and decrease the problems you need to deal with in life. Fortunately, current research is shedding new light on the way in which the brain functions. An increased understanding of the brain can help you to be more realistic in terms of relating to the brains of others and in developing strategies for relating to your own brain more effectively. And it can be fun!

How to use your brain's energy advantage to YOUR advantage

Is your brain tired? Even exhausted? Estimates are that two-thirds of adult Americans use their brains in energy-exhausting ways on a daily basis. No surprise, this can impact everyday living in a myriad of differing ways:  relationships, communication, addictive behaviors, weight loss, fatigue, health challenges, career, potential longevity, and overall success in life. The list can go on and on. Studies have shown that if you identify what your brain does energy-efficiently, and match 51% of your life's activities with your brain's innate energy advantage, you can get a leg up on managing your energy by design!

How to identify your brain's unique energy advantage

Taylor is licensed to provide, score, and interpret a premier thinking style assessment (BTSA) that can help you identify specifics about your brain’s unique energy advantage. How successful you are personally and professionally has a great deal to do with how much energy your brain has available to it at any given time. PET Scans have shown a significant difference in energy expenditures depending on whether or not a task or activity is aligned with the person's "brain lead." Metaphorically, the difference may be as great as spending $1 per second or $100 per second. Organizations have experienced the benefits of moving to higher levels of success by using whole-brained teams. Students have reported experiencing higher levels of energy by matching careers with their innate brain function. Participants have the option to receive a personalized feedback document prepared by Dr. Taylor, which can help them jump-start identifying their brain's innate energy advantage.

How to use cellular memory to your advantage

Have you ever wondered the reason you something gravitate toward things you would really rather avoid? It may have to do with cellular memory!  While not a conscious, cognitive type of memory, cellular memory may be more powerful that has been originally believed. Thought to be carried on protein strands in a cell's neucleus, cellular memory (different from genetic transmission via genes and chromosomes) can push your toward exhibiting behaviors, often at a subconscious level.  And you can choose some of the cellular memory you create . . . 

How to deal with "difficult people" more successfully

There are many ways in which to define “difficult people.” Your “difficult person” may simply be those whose brain functions differ from yours.  Understanding more about brain-contributing factors can give you the option of applying brain-function information effectively in a variety of situations. When you can’t avoid dealing with a difficult- person, you can often minimize the negative impact to yourself and others. Any chance that the "difficult person" involves your brain?

How to Rethink Depression and Fill Your Potholes

Depression can be found in every gender, age group, and location. Estimates are that 121 million individuals world-wide are depressed; perhaps 20+ million just in the United States. If you have experienced a bout of depression yourself, situational or clinical, or have deal with a family member or friend who was depressed, you already know the toll this can take on everyone. This seminar is designed to present a way in which to rethink depression. Using the “pothole metaphor,” a variety of challenges and contributory components are highlighted, including: genetics and epigenetics, a variety of gender differences, average age of onset, and common symptoms. Strategies for prevention and for recovery do exist. A two-pronged approach can be helpful in filling in your potholes; in enhancing your ability to prevent and/or to recover from depression.

How to use this natural brain phenomenon to your advantage

Your brain can be compared to an automatic transmission. When the going gets tough (e.g., situations of trauma, crisis, or any type of fear) your brain automatically downshifts to help you get through. This is a life-saving strategy but you always give something up to get something. You can learn how to minimize what you give up. Teach yourself how to recognize when your brain is in a downshifted position and how to implement a pre-planned strategy to upshift.

How to raise your EQ and increase your likelihood for success

When the book "Emotional Intelligence" was released in the mid-ninties, few readers had even heard about the concept of EQ. Fewer still understood the impact this concept could have on their overall success. Even fewer realized that behaviors could be plotted on a metaphorical EQ Continuum . . . Since the, studies related to EQ have burgeoned. Now the current belief is that your EQ skills have far more to do with your overall success in life than does your IQ. Even more helpful, you can raise your EQ whenever you want to start working on it -- and the sky is the limit! Higher levels of EQ can enhance all your relationships, minimize conflict, reduce stress, and increase your likelihood of success.

How to manage your emotions and feelings more effectively

Many people use the words emotions and feelings interchangeably. In terms of brain function, however, they represent differing concepts. Studies have shown that emotions and feelings utilize different pathways in the human brain. According to Candace Pert PhD, emotions connect the subconscious with the conscious mind and can provide vital information to you--if you know how to read the information.

This seminar is often requested in combination with Raise Your Emotional Intelligence.

How to rewrite your own life script

Have you ever been startled by a behavior that seemed to pop out of nowhere or bewildered by unexpected overreaction? Perhaps you've been fascinated by whispers of family secrets during childhood or puzzled by the contribution of past events to present choices. According to Shakespeare, we're all players on the stage of life. Few get serious about defining the roles they play or evaluating the script they were handed a birth—or before. And most scripts need some rewriting! Family-of-origin strategies can assist you in identifying hidden triggers and managing your present behaviors.

How to get through holidays without becoming a turkey

Hear the word “holiday” and the word “stress” often follows in its wake. Any change in routine can be a stressor and holidays usually involve changes in routine. Because each brain is unique, your strategies for handling stressors need to work for you. Using the metaphor of gift giving, this seminar is designed to provide tips for handling holiday stressors more effectively. The strategies don’t cost a penny and can save you a mint. Give yourself five gifts and a lagniappe—now!

How to communicate with the opposite gender and save your sanity

Some say, " We already know all about male/female differences!" Perhaps in the physical sense (although that's open to dispute!) but certainly NOT in the brain sense! Current research suggests human beings actually know very little about the brain and gender uniqueness in any practice sense. Yes, as members of the same species males and females are more alike than they are different, but there are key dissimilarities! (And perhaps 5% of humans don't even fit on the Gender Continuum.) Gender differences have been around for eons and show no signs of disappearing any time soon. Males and females are not from separate planets (Mars or Venus) even though it can sometimes it seem that way. Understanding some of the key differences can enhance all your relationships and it can be fun! Next tThis topic is frequently requested for seminar presentations and key-note addresses.

How to deal gender differences to your advantage

Did you know that males and females have different vision styles and their brains actually process human voices differently? These two areas are at the root of a great deal of gender heat and misunderstanding. Now you can develop new strategies for communicating more successfully with the opposite gender. Does this knowledge remove the differences? Hardly! But understanding more about underlying differences in brain function can reduce frustration and offer an opportunity for tweaking your behavior. It can also provide a great deal of light-hearted amusement!

How to become gender bilingual and save yourself a lot of grief

Two basic languages underlie all the dialects on the planet:  Male speech and Female speech. Most boys and girls grow up learning to speak their only native gender-language, but not all. Even when you do, your communication can be derailed with others unless you are gender bilingual.  reveal that managers spend an average of 19% of their time resolving communication glitches among employees. Does sn understanding gender differences make them go away? Of course not! But knowledge is power and an increased understanding offers you more options for any given situation. It can diminish a tendency to take things personally, reduce frustration, and improve relationships. It can enhance cross-gender communication and even improve cross-gender teamwork.

How to make learning more brain-friendly

No one really knows how the brain learns. I wish we did! It could make life so much easier for everyone—parents, students, teachers, and you! Although science still sees through a glass darkly in terms of how the brain actually learns, it has uncovered how the brain naturally learns best. That knowledge is exhilarating because with some effort and innovation the educational process can be enhanced significantly for most students. You can also implement the strategies on an individual basis.

You're the only one who can do it--for you!

You cannot live forever on this planet as we know it. Studies have shown that you may be able to stay younger for longer as you move through the aging process. This seminar is designed to share study findings of strategies that can help you do just that.

What you don't know you don't know about your immune system can kill you

How long you live, and how well you live in terms of your health, has a great deal to do with your immune system. So do some of the health challenges you can face or may be able to avoid! Many people now know they have one (compared to several decades ago) but many still don't understand much about it. What's good for the brain tends to be good for the immune system, so if you've been taking care of your brain that has likely been strengthening your immune system. The reverse is true, as well: what's good for your immune system tends to be good for your brain. Unlocking the secrets of immune-system health can be key to a long and healthy lifestyle.

You are your own videographer

What you say to yourself and others, the stories you tell yourself and others, and the situations to which you expose your brain result in the creation of (in effect) movies in your mind. The brain thinks in pictures and what you see in your mind’s eye has a great deal to do with type of outcomes you experience. Not only that, the brain pursues congruity. For example, if you have a positive mind set, the brain goes through its files to discover positive memories that reinforce the positive. Of course the reverse can occur, as well. You can learn to utilize internal mental picturing by design, along with actual and virtual rehearsal, to be more successful.

How to raise and leverage your Emotional Intelligence for success

The concept of Emotional Intelligence involves a set of skills related to your understanding of emotions and feelings and how you practically apply this information in everyday living -- personally and professionally. Studies estimate that EQ accounts for 80% of your overall success in life (with only 20% being attributed to your IQ).  A working definition is, The ability to know what feels good, what feels bad, and how to get from bad to good in a way that results in positive outcomes. Many people know what feels bad and have tried to get from bad to feeling better. Often they have done so using a strategy (e.g., addictive behavior) that did not result in positive outcomes. Then there is yet another mess to clean up . . .

How to avoid gerontophobia and stay younger longer

Myths related to aging abound and many people unwittingly buy into them. Do so and you can develop gerontophobia, the fear of aging, which can diminish the joy and satisfaction that can occur along with wise maturity. Current brain research related to the aging process has revealed facts that have overturned many of these myths. Older people are not all alike. Brains actually become more different from each other as they get older. The brain can develop new cells. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to age—and many are denied that—the aging process can offer many “ups.” They're called "golden years" for a reason!

How to use the 20:80 Rule to manage stressors more effectively

Stressed? Depressed? Know someone who is? Then this is for you! What has come to be known as “stress” can be described in three general categories: Distress, Eustress, and Misstress. It’s actually your brain rather than your stomach that recognizes a stressor first. The cost to you is impacted by your own brain’s unique perception of each stressor in combination with expectations. 

How to use your sensory systems to enhance your relationships

You communicate with the world and with others through the sensory systems: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Your sensory preference (e.g., the type of sensory data that registers most quickly and intensely in your brain and that gets your attention instantly) may differ from that of others in your family or workplace. Generally you gravitate toward environments that acknowledge and reward your sensory preference. Identify your own sensory preference and learn strategies for enhancing relationships with those who have a different preference. 

How to manage loss effectively

Growing up most people learn how to acquire but not how to lose. The survivor syndrome differs dramatically from preparing for your own demise (e.g., Kubler-Ross model). Learn how to retain your memories without the sting of the emotional pain. Use the strategies presented in Taylor's Grief Recovery Pyramid model to identify, grieve, recover from, and move beyond your losses. Rather than allowing losses to keep you stuck, use what you learn to help you more forword successfully.

How to think to be

Your thoughts may be more impactful to your health and overall success in life than you may realize. The study of how your thoughts impact your brain and immune system (Psychoneuroimmunology or PNI for short) has shown that every thought you think alters your neurochemistry. What you read, watch on television, talk about with others, and think about, impacts every cell in your brain and body. It can affect the level of seasoning in your brain's chemical stew. No surprise, this can have a great deal to do with the quality of your health and success. It can also impact those who interact with you--positively or negatively.

How to embrace a larger perspective and minimize conflict

The concept of "Unity in Diversity" refers to the state of being united and being different at the same time, admittedly something of an oxymoron. Human beings often give lip service to this concept. When it comes to practical applications, however, many tend to drop the ball or miss the boat altogether. This can be especially problematic when the environment contains traditional and inherent expectations, especially in relation to family, culture, politics, religion, or you-name-it.