There’s nothing more energizing than facing a challenge — and rising to the occasion — to remind ourselves just how truly powerful and effective we human beings can be.
During an especially demanding period several years ago, I was invited to make a presentation at a national medical convention. I also wanted to participate in a business-related golf tournament, even though I hadn’t picked up a golf club in years. These events surfaced at a time when I was in the process of developing a long-range strategic plan for an upcoming company presentation.
Something had to give, but what? The questions were more obvious than the answers. Could I do it all? Could I do it all well? How would I deal with the emotional and physical challenges that awaited me? Should I simply choose to do less?
Once I clarified the challenge, I consulted with Herman M. Frankel, M.D., and Jean Staeheli. I was familiar with their groundbreaking mental training work and extraordinary success with Olympic and other world-class athletes, patients facing surgery, and others confronting life crises and crossroads. I was curious whether I could successfully apply their techniques to achieve my business-related goals, as well as to my goal of quickly enhancing my golf game.
I discovered firsthand that mental activity can change brain structure and function, and that intentional mental activity can change brain structure and function as intended. In other words, we can change the physical structure of our brains through mental rehearsal just as we can through repeated physical rehearsal. The brain makes no distinction between physical practice and mental practice, so long as the mental training is done effectively.
In the weeks that followed my initial work with Frankel and Staeheli, I applied the mental training techniques that had supported many of their other clients to achieve optimal performance under stressful circumstances. The effort paid off. My medical convention presentation exceeded my expectations. The golf tournament, not only did I have a wonderful time, I played well enough to help my team win a first place trophy. The strategic plan was equally successful.
My experience convinced me just how powerful the connection between our brains and our bodies can be. We possess much greater control over our mental states than most of us realize. Ordinary situations in our lives provide hundreds of opportunities every day to exercise that power. When we do, we seize an opportunity to enhance the quality of our health — and our lives.
Cynthia Stamper Graff is president of Lindora, California’s number one medical weight control system. Lindora has 43 Southern California locations, including Valencia and Santa Clarita.
To learn more about Lindora, call 1-800-LINDORA or visit www.lindora.com .