It’s as simple as this: The less energy you spend on repetitive, distractive, or other useless or inappropriate thoughts, the more you can apply your full intelligence to any task of your choosing. This ability becomes especially crucial when times are scary or hectic! That's why David sometimes refers to a version of this program (with a bit less motivational and spiritual content, and a bit more emphasis on workplace effectiveness enhancement) as:

Usable Smarts™ — Because the better you can manage your mind, the smarter you are!

But regardless of which version of the program your group might most benefit from, David will teach the group his unique "Emotional Self-Leadership™" — ESL™ — method.

Everyone — from kings and queens and presidents to the students in your local high school — are told to prize and seek the elusive quality known as “Leadership.” David believes that the most important kind of leadership comes from within — it’s the ability to master or manage (or to “be the leader of”) one’s own thoughts and feelings. In other words, Emotional Self-Leadership™!

The group uses the harmonica to focus attention onto the breath (a stress reduction method used for thousands of years). Then they learn how to enter a relaxed state at will, during which they see how thoughts — fears or desires, memories or fantasies — produce physiological or even physical reactions, from acid stomach to harsh words. And learn to work with these thoughts before they turn into actions.

By doing so, each individual learns to recognize how thoughts produce emotions, and how to control those thoughts, and thus control the emotions they engender. And once we have better control over our emotions, our lives become more satisfying and effective, at home and on the job. It really works: Co-operation goes up, and stress levels go down!

In addition, each participant will create his or her own “Amazing Grace Action Plan,” or “Useable Smarts Action Plan,”for ongoing take-home value! We often end this workshop with a stirring and heartfelt group rendition of Amazing Grace — on the harmonica, natch!

Who can benefit from this presentation?

Just about anyone! It doesn’t matter whether you’re an entry-level customer service rep, a student, a manager, or a CEO. It doesn’t matter whether the distracting thoughts are fears about the strategic positioning of your own company, annoyance at a co-worker, or anxiety about the changing marketplace. David will present new developments in cognitive-behavioral science in the most entertaining way, to offer all attendees a new mental skill set that allows them to use their native “smarts” to the fullest extent possible.