Developing our emotions and our emotional intelligence is one of the most powerful ways to leverage how we use our time and energy. How much of your work is devoted to working with, responding to, and meeting with others – within your organization and outside your organization?

According to neuroscience, even before events happen the brain has already made a prediction abut what is most likely to happen, and sets in motion the perception, behaviors, emotions, physiologic responses and interpersonal ways of relating that best fit with what is predicted. In a sense, we learn from the past what to predict for the future and then live the future we expect.
- Regina Pally, The Predictive Brain

I was just reading a study called “Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation”, conducted in 2003, by Richard Davidson, Jon Kabat-Zinn and others. The conclusion of this study is that “a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function. These findings suggest that meditation may change brain and immune function in positive ways...”

In one of the earliest records of a conversation with the historical Buddha, 2,500 years ago, the Buddha was asked, “What’s the most important thing for a person walking the spiritual path”?

The Buddha replied “Good friends.” I find this to be surprising, and wonderful.

My experience is that having good friends enriches my life, and in so many ways, allows me to accomplish more, with less effort.