Do you remember the pleasant if not musty scent of your grandparent's home? Or the smells from the best vacation you ever had? Or the cities you visited or lived?
Those smells originate in the olfactory bulb which as a portion of the cerebral cortex is considered one of the most primitive portions of our brain. This is an area forming part of the limbic system responsible for emotions and memory formation.
Olfactory Memory Coaching™ is a method of coaching created by Yasemin Iris-Brown which taps into these smell or scent memories in order to create positive reinforcements and triggers to stay motivated on the path to reach your goals and to keep your motivation and energy up to achieve your objectives. These methods can be used for both individual coaching and also in a team setting to reinforce and anchor the narrative of your vision of success.
Our approach to olfactory memory coaching is based on the following principles:
Olfactory memories are powerful triggers. When we smell something that reminds us of a positive experience, it can evoke strong emotions and memories. These emotions and memories can be used to motivate and energize us.
Olfactory memories can be conditioned. Just like any other type of memory, olfactory memories can be conditioned and strengthened. By repeatedly associating a smell with a positive experience, we can create a trigger that will evoke those positive emotions and memories whenever we smell that scent.
Olfactory memories can be used to create positive reinforcements. Positive reinforcements are rewards that we give ourselves when we achieve a goal or take a positive step towards a goal. By associating a positive reinforcement with a smell, we can create a powerful incentive to stay motivated and on track.
We use these principles to develop and implement coaching programs that help our clients to: