Executive Control (ProActivity).
Phineas Gage, born in 1823, worked on building out the railway system in the vast unpopulated landscape of the United States of America. Go west, young man!
Unfortunately, whilst drilling a hole in a rock to place an explosive, the steel rod accidentally rammed into his skull, removing most of the left side of the frontal part of his brain. Fortunately, he survived, but he slowly developed severe personality changes. He became irritable, irrational, forgetful, and ultimately a recluse.
He is remembered as the original neuroscientific patient. Why? Removing the left prefrontal cortex destroyed the neurological sites for human executive control. In other words, brain networks set aside for deep thinking about strategy and planning, and then following through on our decisions, all lies within this magical cortical real estate part of the brain.
Removing these prefrontal networks by trauma, tumour, infection or surgery, will result in the inability to fulfill a life well lived. Or a purely reactive response to unfolding events and demands. The tragedy of the tale of Gage is his psychological loss to be internally proactive. To be ahead of the curve. To think about and choose healthy, available ecosystems - to adapt, to use available resources, and to perform multiples of micro-acts of kindness.
The greatest asset a human has is their brain; and itβs unlocked value (potential) embedded in the (pre) frontal areas (just behind the forehead). Unbundle itβs potential and you will live a better life; your unique journey unfolding through your brief lifespan will take on a different flavour, a profound extraction of energy and information.
But we all need a strategy β where you can answer the seven big questions: where am I now? What is my big audacious goal? What do I need to do to get there? How to activate the means to achieve the ends? How do I measure progress? What are the intrinsic forces pushing me? What are the pushback forces?
Then apply your strategic map to the ten ecosystems: sleep, food, movement, relationships, nature, multisensory experiences, work, meditation, reading for meaning, and brain stretches. Watch how the arc your life changes, as you tweak your responses.
Letβs begin by rereading for meaning the previous texts, which can be a brain stretch! And watch this brilliant video consolidating the ideas of ProActivity, Beginning with the End in Mind, and First Things First. Thanks Steve Covey.π
Lesson). Strive To Be Proactive By Designing and Implementing A Well Thought Out Strategy.
Ps My file work book is now available and private consultations: individual or group.
A very valuable summary! Thank you
Thank you Jonathan. An amazing series. Kol Hakavod πππ