Travelling, packing and journals

Right now I am travelling.  Apologies for my silence but I have been drinking in the beauty of Europe, the joys of meeting old friends and family and listening to new places. 

As you know I’m a believer in journaling.  The process of learning as you put pen to paper, making a note of what you have seen and heard, then reflecting on what that might mean.  It gives me the added ability to sit above what I might be thinking or feeling and recognise them as my thoughts or feelings. 

I had planned to journal often as we travelled but I haven’t been drawn to it as much as I usually am.  

It may be the journal I’ve brought with me.

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What is happening in the expat brain?

We know a lot about the brain, about how it learns and how it embeds the learning, building new neural patterns and pathways as it does so.  We know the optimal conditions for learning to be retained and remembered.

We know that this is exactly what expats need. To learn fast- and to retain the learning. 

It’s continuous learning over a whole range of aspects. From day-to-day learning like new currencies and driving rules, to spatial learning – creating the mental maps to orient themselves in their new environment, to language learning and different styles of communication, to work effectiveness with adaptations to management styles, appropriate ways to lead, influence and relate with each level of the organization – so much to learn!

The beginning of an expat assignment is continuous, non-stop, learning.

But it’s not just absorbing content –it’s also having the insight to recognise when to adapt and when to operate as you might at home. 

Neuroscience has uncovered some of the optimal conditions for learning to be retained and remembered.  How can this research help the expat brain?

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What did you just say?

Have you ever had a moment when you’ve said something you regretted?  The moment the words were out of your mouth you wished you could take them back?

I think we run an increased risk of experiencing those moments when we are living and working with another culture. 

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Journaling to increase cultural intelligence

At this time of year many of us are writing.  In journals and notebooks and blogs people are recording their hopes, dreams and plans for the New Year. 

There’s a significant amount of research which points to the power of writing with benefits ranging from increases in well-being, decreases in ill health, greater goal achievement and self efficacy. 

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