What do best friends sometimes do?…they keep us focused, remind us of what’s important, protect us, and filter out unwanted “noise” in times of stress or challenge.

Guess what?… you have one of those best friends inside of your own brain!

It is called the Reticular Activating System (RAS for short), and functions as sort of a radar detector or Command center for information that is relevant and important to you. It helps you focus on that information amid all of the sensory information which bombards you on a daily basis. If you have ever been in a busy airport or stadium, with all of the concomitant background noise, and your name is called out over the loudspeaker, the RAS immediately alerts you to pay attention, and filters information between your conscious mind (hearing your name) , and your unconscious mind ( “oh that’s my name- it must be important”). One of the reasons it does this is because the RAS is concerned with anything that threatens your survival, as well as any information you may need immediately. Because this is true- it also responds to novelty- and brings your attention to anything new and different.

So what does the RAS mean for you as a leader?

The interesting thing about the RAS is that it can be programmed- you are likely already doing this unconsciously when perhaps you decide you would like to buy a bright yellow sports car- suddenly you see bright yellow sports cars all over the place- they were always there, but your brain was filtering them out as background information- once you want one- the brain knows this is relevant information, and so directs your focus.

As a leader, you can leverage this system in several ways. Because your RAS will filter out unnecessary information, it is important to focus your thoughts and attention on what it is you want, so that you will start to notice situations and opportunities that will help you to reach those goals.

Here are some exercises to try:

• Program your thoughts to detect anything new or different in everyday activities within your team or organization., such as changes in mood, productivity , relationships, motivation etc.(remember your RAS responds to novelty)
• Review long-term goals each morning to bring them back to attention. Adapt goals as necessary. These goals need to be very specific, so your conscious brain can send them on to the unconscious brain.
• Create or review short term goals daily as well.
• Because the RAS can be paralyzed by personal issues that might be taking your attention, make sure that you create plans to deal with those issues, and then place them on the “back burner”. They can be a really big “Pain in your RAS”
• Using positive affirmations at the start of your day that relate to what you would like for that day will be very helpful. ( “I want to notice all of the things my team is doing well”)
• In decision –making- focus on the positive outcome desired- focus on solution rather than problem. Don’t act on negative feelings such as fear, frustration or anger-this gives your brain a chance to pass the important information up to higher brain levels for examination.

Remember, as a leader, you are responsible for helping yourself and others to reach goals, stay motivated, be productive and engaged and function in a positive, strength-based climate. It is your job to take the 2 million bits of sensory information with which you are bombarded each moment and program your RAS to let in the 5-9 most important bits in any given moment that relate to the outcomes you want! You can do it…just get your RAS in gear!!