‘Introduction to Positive Neuroplasticity: learning to change the mind for good’ with Eric Winters | Monday April 13, 2015 | 5.30pm

Recent years have seen a surge in scientific interest in how positive emotions are fundamental to happy, productive and loving lives (Seligman M., 2006,2012; Fredrickson, B. 2009; Lyubomirsky, S. 2008). And as a result of rapid advances in brain scanning technology we now know that far from a being fixed structure, the brain continually changes as a result of experience. Such ‘experience-dependent neuroplasticity’ offers the possibility of intentionally cultivating positive inner strengths to build resilience, optimism, confidence and a sense of lasting well-being which is less dependent on external circumstances.

In a world in which increasingly pervasive advertising seeks (and succeeds!) to create a sense of dissatisfaction and the media relentlessly urges us to be anxious and fearful, finding truly effective ways to develop lasting well-being are more needed than ever.

The neuro-psychologist Rick Hanson (author of Buddah’s Brain and Hardwiring Happiness) has assembled the latest research to identify five factors, which can accelerate the brain’s ability to build realistic positivity through routine daily experiences.

In this experiential workshop participants will practice a number of techniques to develop their own positivity and will leave with simple strategies to immediately apply to daily living to change their brains for the good. They'll also learn how to build positivity in the brains of others.

About Eric Winters:

Eric is a Leadership Development facilitator and Hero Trainer with Chocks Away (www.chocksaway.com.au). His skills are supported by two Masters degrees in applied psychological disciplines and his experience in facilitating workshops spans 23 years across Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

His area of specialization is the application of positive psychology and contemporary behavioural science to assist making important changes in professional and personal life. Or as he puts it, he help people to ‘let the genie out’.

For more information contact Eric (eric@chocksaway.com.au).

‘Getting high on learning... but seriously!’ with Sandris Zeivots | Monday March 9, 2015 | 5.30pm

For decades emotions have been viewed as an obstacle in the learning environment. Only recently scholars and practitioners have started understanding the crucial role of emotions that affects the way we think, our motivation and beliefs, our attitudes and values. Meyer & Turner (2002) claim that learning is not likely to happen in the absence of emotions. While research on emotions is largely dominated by negative emotions, e.g. anxiety and stress, positive emotions have been often been left out and considered as less important human experiences. Lately positive emotions have begun to be considered as essential experiences for learning. Recent studies illuminate the essential benefits of positive emotions for learning, including broadening a learner’s thinking and attention, enhancing optimal human functioning and providing the seed for personal development. In this session, we will focus on strong positive emotions or ‘emotional highs’ and their role in learning. We will reflect on how emotional highs are ‘lived’ in different learning environments and reconsider some invisible features that may exist behind these experiences. Activities will be complemented with insights from the presenter’s journey researching emotional highs for a PhD. About Sandris Zeivots: Sandris Zeivots’ professional background is in experiential learning having facilitated personal and professional development courses for a decade. Sandris has just submitted his PhD on “Lived experience of emotional highs in experiential learning”. For further information contact Sandris on: sandris.zeivots@gmail.com.

‘Conversation as Core Business Process’ | Monday February 9, 2015 | 5.30pm

Outputs from this session

In 1996, the creators of ‘The World Café’ Juanita Brown and David Isaacs wrote a paper for The Systems Thinker titled ‘Conversations as a Core Business Process’. Read the paper here.

In a world where social media rules and complex ideas are reduced to short grabs, how can we facilitate purposeful deep and compelling conversations?

·       What conversation tools do we use and how well do they work?

·       What are the opportunities if we ‘really listen’?

·       What difference would it make if we asked the right questions?

·       What has ‘Systems Thinking’ got to do with conversations?

This session will be in a conversation format. Bring your ideas and experiences to share and join in the conversation.

Call for Guest Facilitators:

If you have an idea or know someone who has an idea for a session at a Facilitators Network meeting in 2015 please contact Greg Jenkins 0418 486 501 gregjenkins@yahoo.com

Meeting Dates and Venue Confirmed for 2015

Facilitators Network (established 1992) meetings will be held on the second Monday of every month during 2015 (except June - 3rd Monday), 5.30 - 7.30 PM, at the usual venue; University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Room 580, Level 5, Building 10, Jones St (Cnr Thomas St) Ultimo.
Dates for your diary.

9th Feb; 9th March; 13th April; 11th May; 15th June; 13th July; 10th August;  14th September; 12th October; 9th November; 14th December

 The first meeting of 2015 will be Feb 9.
No RSVP - Just turn up. Everyone welcome. Donation $5 to cover expenses.