About - Mind The Positive

Mind what your mind minds at!

Mind what your mind minds at!

In daily routine, we miss the important fact that we have the most powerful tool inside our skull, our brain. Hippocrates noted the power of the brain; “I consider that the brain has the most power for man… The eyes and ears and tongue and hands and feet do whatsoever the brain determines… it is the brain that is the messenger to the understanding and the brain that interprets the understanding” (Brain and Mind, Jeffrey M. Schwarz & Sharon Begley, p. 3). The brain, mechanically, allows our conscious experience of the world around us, from recognizing faces, to feeling joy, smelling a flower, tasting bitterness of coffee, or fingering roughness of a tree trunk.

In fact, the brain is the real physical matter, the hardware. The mind, on the other hand, is the nonphysical one, the software, which runs every nuance of every mental event. It is the mind that differs from a programmed, deterministic mechanical response that involves a mental process. That process, called as consciousness, is more than the mechanical perception and beyond perceiving and knowing; but it is knowing that you know (Brain and Mind, Jeffrey M. Schwarz & Sharon Begley, p. 5).

Given the above introduction on the mind, this platform “Mind the Positive” aims at attracting readers’ attention to the various capabilities of the brain and mind; how the mind is programmed to get attracted to the negative; how we, by our conscious intention may divert its program towards a positive attention; the importance of a positive outlook rather than a negative one; and what the tools of practice are to do so.

In essence, “Mind the Positive” refers to two meanings: The first is the fact that the mind can be trained to have a positive attention, if rephrased, as the mind is positive. The second, which this platform mainly focuses on, is to draw the attention to the positive matters around us; if rephrased, as look at the positive.

And the motto of the platform is “mind what your mind minds at!” is to attract our attention to our attention; where it is, on what matters, whether relevant with the activity at hand, or whether it is on the here and now…

Mission

Channeling information and wisdom, for balance, fulfillment and wholeness, through minding the positive.

Vision

A world where every being is in peace and balance, feeling whole.

Services

Training & Workshops

Assessment & Consultancy

Coaching & Mentoring

I came to know Shirli at High School and she was my English teacher for 4 years. However, I am not talking about traditional English class skills, such as listening, speaking, etc. She was rather giving “skills” classes. Actually I really developed many skills, thanks to her. I grew the skills of empathy, self recognition… the necessity and desire of realising myself. These are the skills that I consider today as my “spiritual survival kit”.

Surprisingly, after almost 15 years, I came across with her again, during the most particular and delicate moment of my life: pregnancy and postpartum! This made me believe once again that there are no coincidences in life. She, once again, made me recall those skills I had developed, where I could much smoothly accept whatever is going on in my life and cope with them in a positive manner. I am really grateful to have such a former teacher and a lifelong mentor.

Nerime Karakus GarimaldiSales Area Manager For MENA & India at United Barcode Systems

I had the great opportunity to work together with Shirli at the Renkli Kampus programme back in 2016. We were mentoring a group of young university students to manage a project in cooperation with an NGO to make a difference.

The project chosen was to establish standards at restaurants / cafes to serve disabled guests and the team came up with an idea of “certification” through stickers. The work included steps like designing stickers, coordinating trainings for sign language, as well as printing menus in Braille alphabet.

I very much admired Shirli’s positivity and the natural influencing skill as an output of establishing the relationship as peers / friends with “kids”. Also witnessed the youngsters appreciating the balanced relationship with her which accelerated the flow of the project reaching to the early delivery of the pilot. Even after the official timeline Shirli kept supporting the team through her networks in shopping malls and extended the reach.

Always a pleasure to see her commitment to what she does.

Kerim BeydagiGlobal Pricing Deal Desk Manager Castrol

There are some people, as soon as they get into your life, shine into your life with light and vibe, mirror you, elevate your energy and make you feel good… I experienced it all, ever since the day I met Shirli within the Career Pass Mentorship Program.

During the 6-month time, through Shirli’s mentoring, I got to earn a great friend in my journey of self development and career opportunities. She helped me realise my weaknesses -actually learnt not to say that!; rather, be aware of the qualities I may and wish to develop. Through her mentoring, I learnt to look at things from different perspectives, especially at challenging times. She emphasised the power of actively standing still and waiting for things to resolve within their own pace.

Even though, from time to time, I have difficulty realising all that she guided me with, I am learning through practice. I truly love this woman. She made me be more aware of myself, love myself, and feel more beautiful, inside and out…

Thank you for everything…

Nilhan CanKOROZO A.Ş. Purchasing Expert Istanbul, Turkey–Career Pass

Shirli… You feel her energy at the very first moment when you meet or shake hands with her. She is not only a person of a high energy; but she is a genuine friendly support. She, unconditionally and without doubt or question, would share whatever knowledge and experience she has. Therefore she is a good mentor.

Her Mentee (Nilhan Can) has spoken of her great mentoring performance at our closure meeting of Career Pass Mentorship Program. Later, after the mentoring process, I have had the pleasure to observe the positive impact Shirli’s mentoring “touch” had on Nilhan, the way she held on to life, embraced it, and stepped forward…

She is a person who ‘walks the talk’, when it comes to being in the present moment. She is fully attentive and aware of each moment. Therefore, when talking with her, any subject, you may feel as if time stands still, where the whole universe turns to it and focuses at it… That is why, you feel you have covered immense progress in such little time and effort.

For her professionalism, detailed, and focused attention, whatever task she takes, you can, immediately from start, sense that the outcome will be a fabulous one.

Is that plausible to say that, having anchored the concept of Mindfulness at the centre of her life, is a mere coincidence? I can say that Mind the Positive philosophy and platform is only a new beginning in her life. We will all witness where she’ll head from here. The journey goes on.

I am grateful to life, for having met you…

Kamil KasaciCareer and Life Designer, Founder of Career Pass and KariyerİST

Pictures From Our Services

“Mindfulness and Work Life” Conference

Attended the “MINDFULNESS & WORK LIFE” Conference at Istanbul Bilgi University, on May 4th, 2018; with my presentation, “Talent Management Focused Mindfulness? Or, Mindfulness Focused Talent Management?” I thank with love to the Director of Organizational Psychology Masters Program Assoc. Prof. İdil Işık and Research Assisstant Sibel Çalışkan, for their kind invite. Soon the ppt will be available at mindthepositive.com https://www.bilgi.edu.tr/tr/etkinlik/7874/ikda-yeni-yaklasimlar-semineri-calisma-yasaminda-bilincli-farkindalik/

The day I defended my PhD Thesis and received a Doctoral (Dr.) Degree,

A long 6-year-journey of phd, with its ups and downs, anxieties and joys, achievements and challenges, and with ventures into great new bondings, today I have come to the end... to set sail for new beginnings... “Proposal of a New Employee Well-Being Model: Employee Wholeness” #phd #organizationalpsychology #positivepsychology #hrm #management #employeewellbeing #employeewholeness

My new academic paper published at the International Journal of Happiness and Well-Being, January 2017.

My new paper published at the International Journal of Happiness and Well-Being “Development of a new construct of employee well-being: A qualitative study.” “Çalışan mutluluğuna ilişkin yeni bir yapının geliştirilmesi: Nitel bir çalışma.” https://lnkd.in/gMuv7xM

My new article “The New Trend in Business World: Mindfulness”, published in Turkish at Tukish Time, February 2017.

Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness, June 1st, 2016, DenizBank, Istanbul

June 1st, 2016, a one-hour workshop at DenizBank, within the Lunch & Learn activity, talking and experiencing Mindfulness, attention and awareness, intention, acceptance. Enjoyable 1 hour of training our mind to anchor to the present moment. It was full of practices on being at the present moment; how to catch the slight moment of pause between a stimuli and a reaction, so as to transform to a response rather than a reaction; and explored a glimpse of Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence, and Neuroscience.

Renkli Kampüs Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness – May 29th, 2016 – Istanbul

Among trees of Forestanbul Adventure Park – Istanbul, in a wooden hut, surrounded by peaceful and serene environment, a fulfilling 6-hour Mindfulness Based Emotional Intelligence workshop took place, with the volunteering Mentors of Renkli Kampüs (www.renklikampus.org). The focus was on Mindfulness, Neuroscience, and Emotional Intelligence, feeding the soul, mind and body. Thanks to Director of Forestanbul Gürgel Özver, for her generosity and hospitality.

Google’s Search Inside Yourself Program – Mindfulness Based Emotional Intelligence – May 18th & 19th, 2016 – Tel Aviv

An awesome experience, with fabulous people, filled with great love and kindness, in the heart of Tel Aviv; for Google's Search Inside Yourself Leadership program. Held by Wisdom Tribe, at Wix! Starting the morning with Tai Chi has been the bonus! #searchinsideyourself #mindfulness #emotionalintelligence #wisdomtribe #wix #taichi #telaviv

Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness Training – May 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31st, 2016 – Is Bank, Istanbul

The fourth week (May 31st, 2016), coming to a completion, was another 4 hours full of practices and activities, involving last two components of emotional intelligence (empathy and social awareness). The session focused on empathy, motivational resources towards attaining goals, social awareness, and social skills –what Google names it as Leadership; as well as experiencing the art of communication, the neuroscience behind empathy, and how mirror neurons connect and communicate before us connecting. The session ended with loving kindness meditation… Thanks for the amazing 4-week journey, for active motivated participation of the finance professionals, and to Murat Ürüm, for his positive initiation.

Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness Training – May 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31st, 2016 – Is Bank, Istanbul

The third week (May 24th, 2016) was another 4 hours full of activities and practices to stimulate mindfulness and the first components of emotional intelligence (self-awareness & self-management), slowing down our thoughts, actions and behavior within the fast pace of life, getting from an auto-pilot mode into auto control, leadership, and exploring the practices in business world, with example of Google’s Search Inside Yourself program.

Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness Training – May 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31st, 2016 – Is Bank, Istanbul

The second week (May 10th, 2016) was 4 hours about “positive outlook”, involving Positive Psychology, Positive Organizational Management, and Positive Perception. Activities and practices took place in relation to scientific approach to happiness, positive attention and awareness, and exploring how happiness depends on one’s deliberate conscious choice, attitude and intention. Thanks to Murat Ürüm and to the professionals of Is Bank – Credit Cards Solutions Department, for the enjoyable Tuesdays.

Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness Training – May 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31st, 2016 – Is Bank, Istanbul

As part of a 4-week Emotional Intelligence Based Mindfulness Training with Turkiye Is Bankası (Finance/Banking) employees, each week of 3 hours, attendees have explored new sets of awareness. The first week (May 3rd, 2016) was about developing our awareness on being in here and now; despite being physically at present moment, how our mind shifts between time zones –past, present, and future; and the practical tools that we may practice for anchoring our thoughts, emotions, feelings, etc. on the present moment. Thanks to Murat Ürüm, Director of Credit Cards Solution Department of Is Bank, for his positive initiation.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CONGRESS 2016 – MARCH 29TH, 2016 – ACADEMIC PAPER PRESENTATION ON EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING.

Today is the Positive Psychology Congress day! The day I presented the outputs of the qualitative results of my PhD research.

FREELANCE LECTURING AT BAHCESEHIR UNIVERSITY – MINDFULNESS ATTENTION & AWARENESS.

Another 3 hours of workshop. This time, with Engineering Graduate students at Bahcesehir University, we discussed on Mindfulness, attention, awareness, intention, attitude, acceptance, and living on autopilot and auto-control modes; explored new practices to enhance our ability to keep ourselves and mind at the here and now. I thank Didem Arslanbas Yıldız, for her invite.

OPEN 2-DAY TRAINING WITH EGITIM AKADEMI– MARCH 4 & 5TH, 2016 – MINDFULNESS & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

Where are you; at the present moment, or in the past or future? Are you having difficulty in focusing; understanding or remembering what you have read; or feeling as if your life goes on autopilot mode? We cannot stop the time, but what we can is to slow it down, increase our sense of awareness, and enjoy life. This weekend (March 4th & 5th, 2016), we have had the opportunity to train our minds and increase our quality of life, through practicing new methods of calming the inner chatter and motions in our minds; played games, and explored ways of finding beauties and splendor of life. 2-day training workshop on Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Practices has been successfully over.

OPEN 2-DAY TRAINING WITH EGITIM AKADEMI– MARCH 4 & 5TH, 2016 – MINDFULNESS & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

ACI SCHOOLS IN SUPPORT TO PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION – MARCH 9TH, 2016 – INTRO TO MINDFULNESS

Based on demand for a second workshop from the working parents, we spent a fulfilling and nourishing 3 hours workshop on Mindfulness Attention and Awareness with ACI Schools parents. We have discussed and experimented the power of attention and awareness, how our life depends on the choices we make. I thank to Sema Sanıgök, PTA Director, for her initiation and invite.

ACI SCHOOLS IN SUPPORT TO PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION – FEBRUARY 17TH, 2016 – INTRO TO MINDFULNESS

As part of voluntary community work, as support for ACI Schools PTA group, we have spent a splendid 3 hours of Mindfulness Attention and Awareness workshop with the ACI parents. As an ACI Schools parent myself, this morning was rewarding and fulfilling. I thank to PTA Director Sema Sanıgök.

METRO CITY SHOPPING MALL “Don’t get caught in traffic, but at a training” event – FEBRUARY 9th, 2016 – INTRO TO MINDFULNESS

A Mindfulness Attention and Awareness seminar workshop, within Metro City Shopping Mall’s activities – “Don’t get caught in traffic, but a training!” 2 hours full of new insights and opportunities from new awareness. Thank you to Eğitim Akademi and Metro City.

Dr. Shirli Ender Büyükbay