Neil explores the concept of the reticular activating system (RAS) and how it can be harnessed to achieve goals more effectively. Neil explains that the RAS is a filtering mechanism in the brain that determines what information is important and worthy of attention. By setting clear goals and affirming them daily, individuals can activate their RAS to seek out and notice opportunities and evidence that align with their goals. Neil also introduces the idea of confirmations, which involve actively observing and documenting instances that support one's goals. By implementing this feedback loop of goal-setting, affirmation, and confirmation, listeners can enhance their belief systems and manifest their desired outcomes. Neil encourages listeners to try this approach and shares his own experiences of its effectiveness.

• The reticular activating system (RAS) is a small network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in attention, focus, and motivation.
• The RAS acts as a filtering mechanism, allowing only information that it considers important to pass through to the brain.
• When we have a specific belief or goal, the RAS becomes more attuned to noticing information and sensory data that align with that belief or goal.
• Setting clear outcome goals and process goals is essential for achieving success in a tutoring business.
• Using affirmations and confirmations can help strengthen beliefs and reinforce the RAS's focus on bringing more of what is considered important into one's life.

The Process

1. Set Goals:
   1. Specific – eg hours taught per week
   2. Written down
   3. Present tense
   4. What I want – not what I think someone else want for me
   5. See yourself doing the things which produce progress toward the outcome goals
   6. Have quantifiable results – eg the number of new students recruited per month
   7. Visualise taking the call from a new student and adding them to your tribe
   8. Design the perfect execution of the activity
   9. Outcome goals – e.g., to have a full roster of guitar students and a waiting list to study with me
   10. Process goals – the activities which will bring me the outcome goals
2. Read and/or re-write your outcome goals every day – the well-known idea of affirmations. Add emotion of any kind to those affirmations and kindle the interest of the RAS: if you’re excited, fearful, anxious or whatever, the emotion you use will goose the RAS and prompt it to allow what we want to be noticed. This is all well and groovy – and it works, to a point
3. CONFIRMATIONS
   1. Take note of information and sensory data which relate to your process and outcome goals
   2. Write them down, either immediately or as part of your day-end review and shutdown routine
   3. This simple act loops back to the RAS and encourages it to gather more of that good stuff
   4. Tomorrow the RAS will be even better at bringing you more of what you believe – strengthening your belief in whatever you’ve decided is significant to you 
4. Refine your goals: in light of all this confirmatory data, recalibrate your goals and update your affirmations

BEST MOMENTS

"And if we can figure that out, how do we use it to get more of what we want, to get it faster and to get it with less effort?" - Neil Cameron

"The RAS actually rejects vast amounts of sensory information, prevents it from reaching the brain. It only allows information that it considers important to pass." - Neil Cameron

"I think it's really important to read and probably rewrite your outcome goals every day. I do mine every day. This is the well-known idea of affirmations." - Neil Cameron

"If affirmations work, confirmations turn up the turbo boost. A confirmation is really taking note of information and sensory data which relate to the process and outcome goals." - Neil Cameron

"Once you've given it a go, drop me a line. I always love to hear from you guys, because I'm here to learn from you. I'm here to help, to share what I've learned so far on my journey." - Neil Cameron

VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Tutor Podcast
www.Neilcowmeadow.com

CONTACT METHOD
[email protected] 

ABOUT THE HOST
Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!