The Reticular Activating System (RAS) has a few internal filter processes, one of which is Deletion. Deletion is quite simply not allowing information to enter your neurology that would otherwise enter as a result of experiences noted by your five senses. Large amounts of data are instantly blocked from entering your minds to avoid sensory overload; you aren't aware that this is happening. Everyone selectively pays attention to different experiences that occur within the same environments.
I'm sure you've experienced that two people can see the same event, but each remembers different salient points, and may not agree on certain 'facts' about the event. You experience what you focus on, as does everyone else, but as mentioned in the previous sentence, we all focus on different things. Logically, you cannot focus on what you delete, can you? Therefore, you never 'see it'.
Now, if an event, a piece of knowledge or a circumstance is one that has aroused your attention, you'll pick up on everything related to it. It's like you've suddenly become a funnel for that topic and you siphon in everything you can about it. BUT if it's not on your radar screen, the opportunity can be staring you in the face and you won't see it. That's what happens when you take an interest in something, and get madly involved with it. Then, months later, when something reminds you of it, you realize that you haven't done anything with this 'passionate interest' for quite a while and you say: "Oh, yes, I used to do that. Wonder whatever happened to it?"
What happened was, you lost focus on it. Remember the conscious mind can only handle at most 114 bits of information at a given time. If you found a new 'passionate interest', even if it is within the same subject area, what you were working on gets deleted to make room for this new 'passion'. This deletion process also happens with people you know.
If you know a person in a certain context, eg. at work, and you meet up with that person at a sporting match, dressed quite differently, you may not 'recognize' that person, as your Reticular Activating System (RAS) is not associating that person with that environment.
Have you ever said: "I can't believe it, I know that person so well, but I can't think of her name". Your eyes, your visual sensory channel, are picking up the information but the information is not hitting you consciousness; it's being deleted. You're seeing them in a different place from where you are accustomed to seeing them. Now you see, you're not forgetful, you're not getting doddery, it's quite normal. Blame it on your RAS.
Seriously your RAS is doing its job very well, without its functioning like this, in your favor, you would go nutty. So in summary, focus on what you want and not, on what you don't want. Because, you have to be careful, 'someone' is listening in - and that 'someone' is your RAS. Focus, focus, focus on what you want to make your dreams come true in all areas of your life. Setting Goals helps you maintain that focus.
Gloria M Hamilten is a recognized authority in disciplines within Personal Development and People Skills for Business Professionals, such as Time Management, Negotiation Skills, Developing High-Performance Teams, Assertion Skills, Building International Rapport, Conflict Management and Resolution, Presentation and Platform Skills. Her studies in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Psychology have lead to her researching brain disorders such as ADD and its relations. She has her own training business, and conducts courses for Corporate Organizations, Sporting groups and Tertiary Educational Institutions in Australia. Her professional experience covers over 30 years of study, research, one-on-one coaching, group coaching, presentations and workshops. Her clientele includes children as well as adults. Gloria Hamilten has authored the eBook: "Practical Self-Hypnosis for Success" and many Reports and online articles. Her websites provide a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything within these genres. Visit her websites: http://www.connect4results.com http://neuro-linguistic-pro-site.com This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, or website. The author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gloria_Hamilten |  |
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