Perspective Power - Website

Conserving Cognitive Cash

Thu, 13 May 2010 12:30:03 -0500

Would you like to be able to tap a payload of mental muscle you've been squandering your entire life? Yes. Then let's talk about context...

How To Conquer The Curse of Self-Distraction

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:58:36 -0500

The biggest barrier to your success isn't lack of opportunity, it's perpetual self-distraction. Here's a technique for unhooking from your own distracting thoughts.

Actionable Value, A Vital Change Management Concept

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 12:29:35 -0500

Actionable Value; a vital concept for dealing with information overload and driving organizational change.

The Positive Power Of Negative Thinking

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:12:48 -0500

What can be done to to be done to "fix" pessimism? A better question to ask is...

The Raw Power Of A Simple Idea

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 14:55:20 -0600

I discovered something at London’s Heathrow airport last week that provides support (and scientific validation) for the ping-pong ball story from my motivational speech.

Adding Emotion To A Sales Presentation

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:13:42 -0600

Whenever I give presentation skills workshops to high-tech folks (such as software salespeople) I’m constantly reminding them to add an emotional component to their dry-as-dust technical demos.

Change Management: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:15:51 -0600

Here's a reality check: Regardless of the behavioral change you’re trying to make, if you've acquired a track record, it’s highly likely you'll continue down the same road.

Critical Thinking: Actively Seeking A Fresh Perspective

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:19:45 -0600

This wonderful optical illusion demonstrates an important point.

Critical Thinking: Why We Miss Obvious Solutions To Our Problems

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:45:05 -0600

Here is a 3 minute video that will blow your mind and, at the same time, demonstrate something about yourself you don’t know.

Change Management: Mistakes Executives Make Managing Change 2

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 07:02:24 -0600

Your goal is about more than dragging reluctant staff through a major organizational change and surviving. But rather to actively leverage your team’s experience of transition for creativity and growth.

Critical Thinking: Three People Puzzle

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:18:15 -0600

Here’s a puzzle I came across recently which demonstrates a specific error we make when problem-solving.

Change Management: Mistakes Executives Make Managing Change

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:11:31 -0600

It’s every leader’s nightmare! A vital organizational restructuring, work-flow redesign or productivity mandate faces jaw-dropping resistance from employees who should know better. Why did it happen and what can be done?

Emotional Intelligence: Turn Off Your TV!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:53:40 -0600

New research findings suggest that watching TV in a doctor's waiting room increases your stress. What about watching TV at other times?

Presentation Skills: The Raw Power Of A Story

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:00:02 -0500

A moving video from Sutter North Hospice illustrates a crucial point about the importance of storytelling. An important part of presentation skills.

Problem Solving: Insights From A Sailing Lesson

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:16:39 -0500

Whenever you have a problem, the one thing you should do before chasing off after a solution.

A New Breed Of Motivational Speaker

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 12:00:20 -0500

The internet offers a range of ways to learn about, learn from and interact with motivational speakers. If you're looking to hire or learn from a motivational speaker in an interactive way, here's a primer.

Change Management: Your Journey Towards Excellence - Vital Questions

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:57:25 -0500

Derren Brown's journey to outrageous (and well deserved) mega-success as a psychological magician contains immediately, and universally, applicable lessons for anyone who wants to excel in any field.

Motivational Speaker Swallows An Inflated Balloon...

Wed, 13 May 2009 18:32:36 -0500

That's right. I swallowed a balloon to demonstrate a mission-critical principle...

Emotional Intelligence - A Critical Element

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:34:02 -0500

If you don't understand and implement this essential step, no amount of counting-to-ten will help you handle your overly emotional states.

The Cult Of The Customer

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:57:41 -0500

Shep Hyken is an expert on customer service. I'm excited to say that his expertise has been distilled into a new book "The Cult Of The Customer"...Highly recommended!

Anatomy Of A Bad Decision - Sunk Costs

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:13:53 -0500

If this psychological pitfall (sunk costs) had been top of mind I would be $300 better off!

Decision-Making Articles

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:56:13 -0500

Introducing the first of a series of articles on decision-making. It will be posted later today...

Emotional Intelligence: Managing Your Emotions In "Real-Life"

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 19:44:44 -0500

Emotional Intelligence: As charming as you are, some people really won’t like you. What toxic stories do you tell yourself about that unpleasant truth? The wrong story will fill your head with buzzing mental static and drive you into self-defeating behaviors...

What Exactly Is Assessed When You Measure Your IQ?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:44:16 -0600

For the last three decades the most widely used IQ test has been the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Using this time-honored assessment, Caltech scientists (led by Dr. Ralph Adolphs) recently claimed to have unearthed brain areas responsible for aspects of human intelligence.

The Two Questions

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:07:39 +0000

Your perspective on any situation can only be "wrong" in one of two ways: You miss stuff and you make stuff up. As I began researching these two fundamental misperceptions, I noticed that, in general, the stuff you miss cripples your thinking. Conversely, the stuff you make up fuels toxic emotions...

Critical Thinking: Your Success - The Role Of Luck

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:47:18 +0000

I've just added an article to the critical thinking section of my website on the role of luck in our success. I found these research findings to be both fascinating and personally challenging...

Protected: Karen Has Some Excellent Ideas

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:06:33 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Protected: Brian Christiansen - New Initiative

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Mon, 3 Mar 2008 22:59:13 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Borders Bookstore Hits A Home Run!

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:18:42 +0000

I saw a wonderful example of customer service taken to an unexpected - and therefore attention grabbing - level over the weekend.

Are You A Fool For Feedback?

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:28:57 +0000

As I travel around the country speaking to business audiences, when it comes to feedback, I'm often struck by the unofficial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy operating in many organizations...

You Know You Are Getting Old When -

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:48:42 +0000

I was at the bank recently, talking to a financial advisor in his early thirties...

Cute Or Creepy; You Decide!

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:06:14 +0000

Archival footage of Dr. Steve Bedwell - the nationally known keynote speaker - at fourteen, performing magic on BBC TV. Cute or creepy; you decide!

If You Loved Digit Demo...

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:37:21 +0000

"Lefty Loosey" And Perspective Power

Dr. Steve Bedwell — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:08:40 +0000

How To Hire A Professional Speaker

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:05:08 -0600

Here are some simple "insider secrets" for selecting a wonderful motivational speaker for your next meeting...

Effective Action - Will "The Biggest Loser" Stay A Winner?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:52:03 -0600

An Important Question: How do you make significant changes in your life so you can achieve your goals and dreams?

Achieving Your Dreams - Don't Let Your Emotion Brain Win!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:51:03 -0600

In this article, I explain why most people - even those with clearly defined objectives - fail to achieve their goals...And teach you what to do about it.

And Then...Pull The Trigger!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:50:04 -0600

Here's a thought: If you could harness your ability to feel uncomfortable and still take action - i.e. get out of bed - to other areas of your life you'd be hugely successful at whatever you put your mind to.

That's the first time I've done that...again!!!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:49:04 -0600

Have you ever thought about the vital role that mistakes play along the path to success?

Are You A Fool For Feedback?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:48:05 -0600

Over the years, what one thing has contributed most to your success? Here's my answer...

Improve Your Memory With Perspective Power

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:47:05 -0600

If I ever have the privilege of speaking to your association or company, you'll see me attempt to memorize the location of every card in a shuffled deck of playing cards in under a minute.
This challenge sounds and, quite frankly, looks completely impossible. In truth, I have a terrible memory and so, in order to regularly pull off this demonstration, I use this Perspective Power strategy...

Emotion Brain - The Left Brain / Right Brain Myth

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:58:31 -0600

You have two brains inside your head. One of them is a bullying, delusional dictator who rants at your unconscious and screams absolute demands at the world. To tame this part of your brain, you need to start thinking about your emotions in a whole new way.

Emotion Brain - The Scream

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:57:32 -0600

To manage overly emotional states (such as anxiety, anger and guilt) it's vital you appreciate the raw power of your Emotion Brain. It's a super-sensitive early warning system which (in response to a perceived threat) will fill your head with buzzing mental static, create overly emotional states and drive self-defeating behaviors. Read this article so you don't become part of the problem you're trying to solve...

Emotion Brain - The Fight Or Flight Response Revisited

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:56:18 -0600

By far the largest group of people who need emotional control techniques aren't prone to flying off the handle and have never shouted at anyone in public. Here's a new look at an old idea.

Emotion Brain - Me, Myself I

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:55:24 -0600

It's an almost universally held misconception for people to believe that their overly emotional states (like fear, anger and guilt) are caused by other people and situations. Here's the truth - Part 1

Emotion Brain - The I'm A Jerk Reflex

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:54:27 -0600

Emotion Brain - Toxic Stories

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:53:25 -0600

The stories you tell yourself about (even genuinely unpleasant) situations can trigger, amplify and prolong an overly emotional responses. You can, quite literally, talk yourself into a state of intense agitation or anger...And your worst fears become self fulfilling prophecies.

How To Manage Your Emotions - The Triple-R Strategies

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:52:26 -0600

Any time you're feeling (in any way) threatened, you need a simple, step-by-step system that - at a time when everything else is trying to drown out your reason - focuses you on couple of important things. Here’s a brief outline of the very simple, mega-effective Perspective Power approach to diluting toxic emotions...

Emotional Intelligence - Book Review

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:51:20 -0600

Whether you're thinking about reading Emotional Intelligence to gain a deeper understanding of the science or simply looking for concrete strategies that will help you manage your emotional states (or the emotions of those around you) here are some things you should know...

Happier - Book Review

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:50:21 -0600

The book sets out to ask the "question of questions". How can I help myself, other people and society become happier?

How To Refuse To Make Yourself Miserable About Anything - Book Review

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:49:21 -0600

Every chapter resonates with Albert Ellis' savagely counterintuitive take on emotional control. Try these emphatic statements for size...

Primal Leadership - Book Review

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:48:21 -0600

Primal leadership is an emotionally compelling management style between "resonant leaders" and the people they lead. This book harnesses the principles of Emotional Intelligence (as described in Goleman's previous book) in the service of improving leadership skills...At least, that’s what it purports to do!

How To Solve A Problem: Part 1 - Definition

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:23:28 -0600

What's the biggest problem you need to figure out? Right now, you may not have any idea how to solve your predicament. No solutions come to mind, not even bad unworkable solutions. However, there’s one thing you do know...

And it’s the springboard to solving your most challenging problems...

How To Solve A Problem: Part 2 - Reframing

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:22:07 -0600

When dealing with a tough problem, there is one thing you must do before looking for a solution. (Virtually everybody rashly ignores this crucial step.)

How To Solve A Problem: Part 3 - Presuppose Multiple Solutions

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:21:08 -0600

Even experienced, educated executives often trip over this business blooper. It lies in wait, ready to spring out and ambush the unwary.

How To Solve A Problem: Part 4 - Mindful Forgetfulness

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:20:07 -0600

This well recognized psychological phenomenon is the secret used by those executives who leave the office with a problem and return the next day with several killer solutions - and looking rested!

What Is Perspective Power?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:55:17 -0600

The one ridiculously simple fact of life you must understand if you're ever to achieve your true leadership potential. (When you master this crucial x-factor, your staff will rave about your skills as a leader.)

Perspective Power - The Two Questions

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:16:35 -0600

Your perspective on any situation can only be "wrong" in one of two ways. And these two fundamental misperceptions cripple your thinking and fuel toxic emotions.

Perspective Power - The Success Myth

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:15:10 -0600

Avoid one of the dumbest (and most devastating) mistakes most smart people make. (This miscalculation will leave you hunched over your desk - exhausted, unfulfilled and bitter.)

Perspective Power - One Right Answer Thinking

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:14:34 -0600

This deadly-delusion will shut your eyes to screamingly obvious clues to greater innovation, productivity and success.

Perspective Power - The Overconfidence Spiral

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:13:04 -0600

Get this wrong and all the benefits of flexing your Perspective Power (razor-sharp thinking, high emotional intelligence and consistent, explosive success) will remain an unfulfilled promise!

Perspective Power - The Role Of Luck

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:12:23 -0600

What role does good, old-fashioned luck play in your success? Fortunately scientists have spent decades studying the nature of luck. I reveal all in this article...