Now where was I? Because it was good!

It's been a strange week in the absent-mindedness department!
Monday it was the mislaid camera charger. Having got several people searching in the different places where I insisted it would be found - I then find it hooked over the office door handle.  Everyone seemed pleased for me!
Tuesday I discover that my red polo shirt has been stolen over-night from my washing line. I work out how with trellis and posts I can extend the height of the garden fence and improve security between me and the adjacent open plot. 
Wednesday - I find red polo shirt in the laundry basket!
Thursday, after shopping for provisions and settling back at my desk, the previously-left-behind shopping list reminds me that my salmon and mackeral need to go in the 'fridge. Three circuits of the house later and with no sign of the orange plastic bag a return trip to Sainsbury's is in prospect. Thinking I'm low on milk I check the 'fridge.  I am puzzled! I already have some salmon and mackeral? Why did I buy some more?  I was obviously experiencing some form of denial.
So I decided it would be a good idea to have a quick refresher on the causes and cures of absent mindedness.
First stage of self-diagnosis. Is my problem Retrospective remembering - forgetting whether or not I have done something?  Or Prospective remembering - forgetting to do something ahead of me? Not sure I can narrow it down really as symptons exist under both headings.
So I crack on with the research, and it comes up with some familiar results - which in itself I think is an encouraging sign!  Also encouraging is the suggestion that absent-mindedness is really just a form of intensely focused concentration! 
I particularly like the suggestions offered on howstuffworks Some very practical tips like:

Get organized.
Make lists and calendars and use them.
Have a set place to keep things and stick to it.
Keep all key information in one place.
When remembering dates, 'phone numbers etc., repeat them several times until they stick.
Focus on one thing at a time.
All useful tips on how to manage so called absent-mindeness - rather than trying to stop it.
And I think that's absolutely the right attitude.
Ask any creative genius and they'll tell you that their best thoughts come whilst in a trance. Try to find an old rocker who isn't convinced he wrote his best stuff while in "another place."
So what's all the fuss about ....we're in our own "another place"
It's legal. It's free. And we're doing our best stuff!

Is it who I think it is?

"Is it who I think it is?"
"I don't know ....who do you think I am?" is the ironic reply I've often whispered back.  But not any more. That funny in others but not in yourself senior's syndrome of insisting you recognise a stranger has now smitten me. Fortunately the lady at the checkout yesterday was good natured about it. Not so sure about her husband?
So I've been looking for a cure and it could be that help is on the way. 
In some collaborative research at Pennsylvania Uni's Penn Memory Centre (how many ironic remarks must they get in a day) they've established that memory decline is related to ageing.
Well yes I knew that - although I had forgotten?
All the evidence suggests that our anterior temporal lobes are critically involved in the retrieval of people's names.  And in experiments with photographed faces the recall level of the participants was significantly improved by passing a small electrical current through these lobes.
The scientists do point out that this is not the electro-convulsive therapy famously depicted in "One flew over the cuckoo's nest!"  Be that as it may - the equipment still won't be available for £25 alongside the tens machines at my local Llloyds Pharmacy.
So - interesting but not immediately helpful!
However, of more immediate help is an excellent workbook available from http://www.mindtools.com/ which gets you practicing the association technique for remembering faces and names. Hopefully that will cure me of calling Oz "Joe" when I'm in the office on Friday - and save me from that understanding look he gives!
I also like the help suggested by some research carried out in 2008 at the University of Michigan http://tinyurl.com/236d4d that showed that talking to people can significantly improve memory.
In one of the studies a  sample of 3600 people of representative ages, demographics etc were classified according to their frequency of social contact - how often they got out and connected with people. The participants completed the mini-mental state examination and the results clearly show improving levels of success commensurate with increasing levels of social contact. The study also reports that social isolation can have detrimental effects that are both emotional and intellectual - something referred to as the "Bowling alone" syndrome.

So there's a clear message for us here my fellow OnWeGo'ers - especially those of us in the work-from-home fraternity  - get too isolated and you may not remember your own name.
Get back out there and all those hazy and forgotten facts will come clear again.
I knew my frequent coffee breaks down at Costas were for a good reason.
I wonder if Carol Vorderman will be there again tomorrow?

Doing the unexpected!

We said good-bye to Aunty Ada yesterday - bless her!

Funerals always provide that unique behavioural dilemna - mourning for the loved one that we've lost - whilst trying not to over-enjoy the fun of meeting up with cousins we've not seen since the last funeral. Given the ironic sense of humour enjoyed by our lot it's always a particular struggle. Yesterday wasn't a problem though. Ada's wicked sense of humour was soon in everyone's minds ...even the vicar's during the eulogy.
Looking around at my cousins I was reminded that Ada was the last of the previous generation. We are the "silverbacks" now. And as I chatted with cousins, nephews and nieces I sensed another unusual behavioural trait amongst us which I'm sure  is again unique to families at funerals. We began chatting about life today in that understated slightly disappointed way that you do. Then inevitably we started to reminisce over the great times when we were all much younger. 
And as we rolled back the years ...chins lifted .....voices rose ....eyes widened ...shoulders  straightened ...hands waved energetically ...feet jigged around.   The "silverbacks" were kids again!
There is a lot of evidence suggesting that enviroment and circumstance pre-dispose us to adopt an appropriate behaviour and demeanour.  That as we mature within our family and workgroup, we calm down, become less assertive, less ambitious. Because that is what is expected!
Then suddenly something triggers a change - like the recollections of the cousins - and we shed about 30 years of demeanour!
Psychologist Ellen Langer's famous 1979 research study at Harvard, recreated in a recent BBC TV programme showed how people could "lose years off their life" by being kept within a recreated retro-time environment.
The "engineering" explanation for this seems to be that as we stop doing things certain areas of our brain network become disconnected.  But only disconnected - and there are some widely endorsed remedies for restablishing those networks.

• Physical exercise, anything from walking to working out.
• Mental exercise maybe from your favourite on-line game.
• Then there are remedies that exercise the creative and learning areas such as painting or writing.
• If you're up for it why not get both and learn something physical like Tai Chi or Salsa - highly recommended!
• But if you're really serious about reconnecting those networks and firing up those neurons.  Go for the best remedy of all. 
• Get yourself out of that demeanour dulling, stress generating, decline inducing job you're in and change careers   - come on OnWeGo ...do the unexpected!

Keep challenging those life long beliefs

I'm going to my Aunty Ada's funeral next Wednesday. She was 95 bless her! I didn't see her much in recent years but I certainly remember visiting her when I was a kid!
And two things always instantly come to mind:
Digestive biscuits ...dipping into the ever available tin of rejects bought from the McVities biscuit factory where she worked.
Laughing ...all the time, at her often outrageous observations on people and life ...offered with essential amounts of "Eff 'ing and blinding!"
The influence others have on us when we are small was discussed in an article I read on Tuesday.  
It reported on research carried out by Notre Dame Psychology Professor Darcia Narvaez into changes in the child rearing practices that shape the people we become in later life. And makes the point that well-being and moral sense are potential casualties of some of the changes that are happening.
The full findings which will be presented later this month at Notre Dame included some that came as no surprise ...but one or two that did. 
Such as you can't spoil a baby! I'd always argued against picking them up too much, and in favour of letting them cry. Wrong answer! Apparently crying causes the release of toxic chemicals into the brain. Professor Narvaez's research say we should be comforting the baby and keeping its brain calm at a time when it is forming its personality.
Such questioning of the things we've always believed can leave you in a bit of a quandry when it comes to offering seasoned wisdom.

Because we do believe those things that we have always believed to be true. Those things that someone (usually Gran) told us before we had even asked the question. Things like:
"Appearance really does count" - Which probably explains why the current fashion to be tie less annoys me!
"It's rude to interrupt" - Yes, I do tend to yawn a bit when in conversation.
"Manners maketh the man! - Clearly reflected in my obsessional and occasionally irritating habits of:- holding doors open for people, refusing to start a meal until everyone is sat at the table, and staring aghast at people who sniff!
Yet I'm happy to offer out my wisdom without qualification. And as my daughter reminded me this week ..."as Silverback my opinions are noted!"
So maybe seasoned wisdom is about occasionally questioning those deeply held beliefs.
Not just because we share them with others. But because we listen to them ourselves  -especially those self-limiting ones. Those ones that stop you from doing new things ...just because!! 
So no disrespect Gran. But to be true to OnWeGo beliefs I think we may have to look at one or two of yours, especially  "Accept where you are in life and be grateful."
But I tell you what Gran.  Aunty Ada was absolutely right with what she taught me - Compared to McVities those other Digestives are xxxxxxg rubbish !  




 

Time to boldly go!

I've noticed an increase in "head shakers" on the road! And they all seem to be hesitant  drivers.
I first spotted it on holiday in South Devon. The roads down there have this quirky habit of suddenly narrowing to single vehicle width. It proved a bit of a challenge initially ...but I soon got the hang of it ....learning that to boldly go was the better strategy!  The locals on the other hand seemed  far less confident and very hesitant. Sometimes with fairly chaotic consequences.

Like on the first Sunday when having looked for a pub that was still serving lunch we were disappointedly leaving the car park of the fourth.  With the old Lexus barely a wheel arch out from the walled entrance ...traffic from both left and right screeched to a halt, forming an  immediate jam!    Drivers looked bewildered and indecisive.  But being a London boy weaned on Hammersmith Broadway traffic and the like ...my natural instincts and assurance took over. I assumed control  of the situation and boldly drove out through the gap. Heads shook in a mixture of respect and I suspect  some embarrassment too?
Then the second example. Leading a lengthy convoy along the same road, I pulled out to pass a land rover. It had rather carelessly parked obscuring a "Road Works" sign. It was when I drew level with the Land Rover that I spotted the red traffic signal ...just before I saw the oncoming stream of traffic. Instinctively I braked and reversed.
But the gap in the traffic that I had vacated was no longer there!  The convoy I had led was now queued in orderly fashion behind the Land Rover.  As I reversed slowly back along its line - now leading a "convoy" of cars coming in the opposite direction - I noticed successive drivers shaking their heads. I don't think it was in respect. 
I won't go into detail with the most recent incident involving a couple in Tesco's car park last Sunday. I think I'm begining to get the picture now.
Yes it seems I'm of that age! When allegedly we become less aware of situations around us. When our kids say we shouldn't be allowed out by ourselves!
But who says that this is the way of it? Because I actually see it quite differently.
I've finally realised that the rest of the world is hesitant and indecisive!
Say hello to a Reckless Wrinkly!
Still with lots to do, and sharp enough to notice there is a reducing amount of time to do it all. 
So whatever it is you want to do - new job! new home! new places to see! new love in your life!! Get reckless and boldly go for it now!  

Just off for a creativity nap!

Getting back into work mode has proved very difficult after the week away in South Devon. 
Sustained concentration has proved to be the problem.  Not a new one for me.  "Concentration"  was regularly mentioned in school reports in my early years, so no ...I wasn't leaping to the age conclusion. But it was odd and a little annoying that the old brain was very creative when I had switched off for my holiday  ...but then decided to switch itself off as soon as I got back to my desk to work?
Then I came across an article in Science Daily which seems to explain what is going on. In an unusual collaboration between psychology, engineering and architecture academics in Sheffied, Bradford and Germany, researchers have shown how tranquility enhances the functionality of the brain. It seems from scans that areas of the brain connect up and are in sync when enjoying such things as the soothing roar of breaking waves.

This strikes two chords with me. I fancy myself as a bit of an amateur psychologist. One of my favourite "research" projects is the link between relaxation and brain activity.  We know for example that the mind becomes more creative as we go into a state of deep relaxation or trance. Who hasn't experienced a "eureka" moment on emerging from sleep. Creativity coaches advocate that "sleeping on it!" is good for problem solving and creativity.
Buddist chanting, Shamanic drumming, tribal dancing all bring about altered state and indications are that this occurs around the Theta state when brain waves are between 4 to 7 Hz.
Hypnotherapists lead their subjects into this same state to access the sub-conscious and the deeply held beliefs and memories that sit there. Uncovering these as they resolve phobias and other behavioural change issues. 
Sportsmen and musicians getting "into the zone" relax their minds in what is an apparent accessing of a programmed code of subsequent peak performance.  
Meditation brings inner calm and strength through contemplation  ...perhaps the same is happening in prayer.
Plenty of similarity here. And then, when you think how much of the brain's space and functionality is un-used then all sorts of opportunities are imaginable!
So ....lots of reasons why meditation, power napping, walking through the park - whatever is your "switching off" habit - are to be encouraged as the ways to unlock our full mental capability.
And I guess as well I'm going to have to declutter and finally decorate my office into a more tranquil environment.
But I did say "two chords?"  The second one is ...I do indolence very well!

Maslow rules OK!

 "A much needed makeover for Maslow's Hierarchy!" When I read that article recently I was decidely unsettled.  Refresh Maslow? But I've been  preaching his "hierachy of need" theory for over 30 years. I'm a total believer!  And that's in Abraham's good old original version:

SELF-ACTUALISATION

         SELF-ESTEEM      

    SOCIAL-ACCEPTANCE   

              SECURITY             

                  SURVIVAL                 

I was reminded more than once of its continuing relevance when holidaying last week in beautiful South Devon.   An entertaining cameo reminder came when a three-generation family arrived to set up for a day on the beach.
Food, drink, chairs and windbreaks to support Survival were tirelessly ferried from the car.  Then their chosen spot was changed twice before a spot - defended at the rear by the sea wall and to the side by windbreaks - was seen to meet their  Security needs.  This was temporarily threatened by some self-interested positioning of chairs and disputes over towel ownership. But eventually this gave way to reconciling remarks like "eh this is the life!" and Social-Acceptance prevailed as Grandad and Dad teamed up to build a sandcastle for the little one. Unfortunately this became the usual contest of building skills as Self-esteem intervened.   With public approval favouring son-in-law's efforts, Grand-dad clearly saw sand-castles as unfulfilling and ultimately went off searching the cliff face for fossils and Self-actualisation!
There are several views on how Maslow hierarchy can be improved but in general they tend to either adapt or add to Self-actualisation. Personally I can understand this because for me Self-actualisation isn't so much something you achieve but a state where you are always looking for something new.

And this was the insight I gained when chatting with two very fit and well-sussed "senior" walkers.  They explained that they walk because they want to discover new places and also to progress   beyond the 638 miles they've previously walked. What they are  doing in the process is to continually re-ascend Maslow's hierachy each time they set off on new walking holiday.  Relishing the challenge of fresh Survival, Security and Social Acceptance needs ...and boosting Self-esteem and Self-actualisation to new levels.
And for us starting over again later in life and work should be seen in the same way ...as opportunity not threat. We assume a state of finality and inevitability ...perhaps because of convention and maybe courage too?
How about taking a chance on change? It beats building sand castles.