The opening speaker for the 19th annual SF NAPO Conference (original conference post here) was Caterina Rando, business success coach and author.

She covered several subjects–this post is about what I particularly appreciated about her talk.

She had us draw an 8-sliced “pie” on a piece of paper. We then labeled each one: financial, significant relationship, health/fitness/vitality, physical environment, friends/family, recreation/rejuvenation, personal/professional/spiritual development, & career.

Then she had us put a star in the ones we felt strong in–these are our centers of power. And then a check mark in those we felt weak in–these are challenge areas.

We were then asked to choose one of the challenge areas we’d like to improve in. Her first question posed was: “Do you have a vision in that challenge area?” I could feel a collective “a-ha” resonating throughout the room of 200 people. In fact, the general consensus was that No! we do not have a vision of how we want to be in that area.

She then pointed out that we humans like to “hang out” in areas in which we feel strong, and not where we feel uncomfortable or inadequate. Thus, our centers of power become ever stronger, the challenge areas often left behind.

The first step to remedy a challenge area is to develop a vision. How do I want to see myself in that area? What does it feel like? How would I interact or respond when that area is a center of power?

The second step is to identify an action that will help make that center of power become a reality.

The third step is to DO IT! and keep reliving the vision.

(We already know I’m a huge fan of visualizing.) Which reminds me of another thing I really appreciated hearing from Caterina: she illuminated the importance of visualizing.

This is based on the understanding that there are 3 main sections of the brain. One being the reptilian brain which takes care of those basic functions like breathing and pumping blood throughout the body; one being the neo-cortex which is involved in conscious thought and language (the analyzing brain); the third being the limbic which is involved in emotion, motivation, and emotional association with memory (the emotional brain).

For visualization to work, we need both the analyzing and emotional brains pulling for us.

For example, when I state a visualization such as, “I want to fully engage with my audience when public speaking”, I am using the analytical brain. When I imagine and “feel” that state of being as already achieved, I am engaging the emotional brain.

I love this stuff! Thanks, Caterina!