So I was waiting while a DVD played in the background. Normally
I tune out and focus on my messages but this time three words
caught my attention:

“Insufficient Reward Syndrome”

Say WHAT???

(It resonated so loud with me on behalf of all entrepreneurs
everywhere that I may just have to have my hearing
tested…!) ;=)

Naturally, I had to do a little more research.

The DVD that clanged this concept into my brain was referencing a
biological neurotransmitter deficiency that prevents people from
feeling happy.

But listen to this… according to “Behavior Therapy in Dealing With
Depression” (the only source in non-medical geek speak resource I
could find), there are four factors that apply in a behavior to
positive reinforcement ratio.

The idea is that you can predict behavior based on positive
reinforcement (or lack of it). (Can you feel your entrepreneurial
cells reaching for the light yet?)

The four factors are:
1. Frequency of positive rewards
2. Amount of positive rewards
3. The duration and continuation of the rewards once started
4. The amount of effort required to produce expected behavior

In other words, if your rewards are infrequent, too conservative
and/or prone to stopping even though the behavioral demands
continue, you’re going to suffer ‘insufficient rewards syndrome’.

Even more, if the effort to perform increases, the behavior to
reinforcement ratio also increases and, if not met, also results in a
deficient rewards syndrome state.

The bottom line is that the quality of your life and health depends
on your ability to reward yourself consistently in proportion to the
effort you’re putting out. It helps you to stay motivated and in joy.

That being said, as an entrepreneur, chances are you’re focusing
on your bottom line rather than your body when you’re deciding
whether to give yourself a reward like time off, a new toy or a
frivolous expenditure.

Rewards don’t have to be expensive… but they are vital to your
well-being.

So the teaching is that you must work and play in proportion.

Because the cost of NOT giving yourself rewards as you go is far
greater to your emotional, psychological and biological health than
the cost of the reward itself in time or money.

(And at the very least, I figure it’s important that I lead by
example and I haaave had my eye on that awesome crystal singing
bowl…)  ;=)

To Rewards As Vital Keys to Your Health and Success… ~~~

Lynn

P.S.: If you want to listen to one of the rewards I like to play
during my breaks for blissful little 26 minute mini-vacations, check
out this song, Sound Is Divine, by Sheila Chandra:

http://youtu.be/K2_EkiWp1FM

Enjoy! :+)

Fall is already coming… the signs say so. There are ‘back to
school’ ads, people talking about the cooling weather in other
parts of the country and sweaters displayed in the stores (and
that’s a real brain-bender when it’s 102 degrees outside here
in Austin, TX!).

The point is that the fall season makes people hearts beat a
little faster.

There’s a quickening that happens as people get ready to settle
in for our ‘regularly scheduled’ year. It’s soon back to school
and back to work.

By the way, this means there are only 138 days left in the year
in which to complete your annual goals (we’re two-thirds
through 2011).

One other fun fact – Deepak Chopra says that 40% of our
happiness depends on engaging in activities that express our
creativity and/or make other people happy through voluntary,
intentional choices.

(To round out the happiness formula, 50% depends on whether you
see problems or opportunities in your world, and the other 10% of
your happiness is based on your living conditions.)

To see his short video on that, click here:

http://youtu.be/qKwZXhOXSa8

My intention in sharing the happiness formula is simple…

You can choose to be fully present in your life and proactively work
your goals or not – both the choice and the consequence is yours.

However, it’s a lot easier to do when the energy can help carry you
along to get your groove back… so take advantage of the quickening
energy to get a jumpstart on completing your priorities this year.

And bonus – you’ll be happier because you’re actively choosing it!

So, in order to make the most of the energy of this incoming
season, it’s important to focus on what’s important.

In fact, here are three things you can do right now:

1. Take the time to go through your priorities as you outlined
them in January to see what’s left for you to do – then
follow-through with actualizing and implementing a plan.

2. Use the longer days of daylight that we still have to get in
an extra hour on your to do list to get some new momentum going.

3. Go to www.HiddenAwareness.com and let me know your focus and
action commitment for the next 7 days – that ensures your
clarity and engages your energy to make it happen.

I look forward to getting your focus / action
commitments asap… :+)

www.HiddenAwareness.com

To Your Quickening AND Your Happiness ~

Lynn