This is a very powerful way of reminding us to stay cool and effective when your brain starts to feel overwhelmed.

Zorro Circle

From Shawn Achor’s wonderful book: “The Happiness Advantage:  The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work”

‘When challenges loom and we get overwhelmed, our rational brains get hijacked by emotions.  This principle teaches us how to regain control by focusing first on small, manageable goals, and then gradually expanding our circle to achieve bigger and bigger ones’

Shawn’s principle number 5 is “The Zorro Circle”. It refers to how the legendary Zorro was able to transform from a depressed, inept man into a skilled, powerful swordsman and hero. His secret came when his teacher/master drew a circle in the dirt and told him that he would first learn to fight only from the circle and not until he had mastered the circle could he expand out.

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In order to remember this quickly before a really bad emotional hijack occurs, you need a quick response… I’ve learned to say:  “Zorro Circle” to myself.

You could say whatever suits you… the point is to remind yourself to calm down and handle one small thing first..

For all you Johnny Cash fan’s out there.. why not learn to say: “One piece at a time“: