How do we measure the power of our brains? How do you? Is it Is it by an IQ test? What about the ability to interact with others? Perhaps even how well you know yourself and can emotionally navigate life?
There isn’t a wrong answer. Only a right answer or answers for you. For me, I think all of the above and then some. I believe that there are at least 10 intelligences we humans possess.
- Creative (creating solutions from seemingly unrelated items or thoughts)
- Personal (Knowing yourself)
- Social (situations, working with others, etc.)
- Spiritual (Knowing our intuition)
- Sensual (Senses)
- Sexual (now you know why I indicated sense for Sensual)
- Physical
- Numeric/Mathematical
- Spatial
- Verbal
Have you learned anything new? If so, then you’ve upgraded your brain. Now give yourself a pat on the back and smile. There’s your attitude enhancement as well.
So you’re still here huh? Ok, I guess I can divulge a little more.
Let’s talk about neuroplasticity, specifically the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. If you don’t use it, you lose it has never been more relevant than it is in this context. Research has now shown us that throughout our entire life our brains can continue to change. So it looks like you CAN teach and old dog new tricks.
There are only a few months to go before my 50th birthday. Not only have I managed to retain my intelligence, I’ve increased the speed at which I can learn things. My retention rate and capacity has improved from when I was a teenager. I’m creative, enjoy solving problems, and have a general zest for life.
There are 3 main things I use to my advantage. Present Moment Awareness, Novelty, and Challenge. I am not always using all 3, but I am always using at least 2 of them. Like the song says “2 out of 3 ain’t bad”.
Let me give you a scenario that happened to me:
I had a morning appointment coming up. It was cold out, so I started my car to warm it up. Right after starting the car I got a phone call that lasted into the time I should have left to be on time for my appointment. I shut off my car somewhere in there and when the phone call was over I tried to start my car to leave. Only to find out that I had a depleted battery.
Prior to retraining my brain to be Present Moment Aware, look for Novelty, and focus on solutions to Challenges, my response would have been as follows: Become angry, frustrated, and stressed out. Then try to get a new battery in my truck somehow.
So, how would you have reacted? Called a cab, cancelled your meeting, or become angered at the bad luck as I previously would have? There aren’t any wrong solutions, but I’ll share with you what worked best for me.
My solutions and reasonings:
- Reschedule my appointment. Not only did the other party understand, but were also appreciative of me calling and wished me success in my repair endeavor.
- I rescheduled the rest of my busy day giving me 3-5 hours to get the battery changed. I could always arrange for other transportation if it looked like I wouldn’t be done in time. The challenge of getting a new battery in my car was an opportunity to research, learn, and make an informed decision.
- I went online and made a few phone calls. I researched battery manufacturers, then types of batteries, then quality, then local shops and their inventory. This made the most sense to me so that I could get the best battery for the best price from the best place. It was also fun to be able to learn several new things. Most car batteries lead acid, gel, or AGM. Now you know more new stuff too!
- I made my decision and was able to get the battery installed within my 3 hour time frame. The rest of my day went awesome as well!
How do the big 3 (Present Moment Awareness, Novelty, and Challenge) initially come into play here?
- Present Moment Awareness: I realized that my day wasn’t going according to plan and changes would have to be made.
- Novelty: Ever watched a situational comedy where things go from bad to worse? I was the star of my own sitcom. So I took a moment go giggle about it.
- Challenge: I had an appointment I was going to miss, a vehicle that wouldn’t start, and my usually busy day scheduled out. I needed to prioritize. I was kind of excited!
So, instead of being stressed out and ruining my entire day, I chose to learn something new and enjoy the process. Interested in a little exercise that you can do every day to help make your days easier and more enjoyable as well as Upgrading Your Brain?
Become more Present Moment Aware
Get a new familiar item that you can take with you everywhere every day. This could be a new watch or even a paperclip that you keep in your pocket, anything that will be new to you now and you can use to form an association with the Present Moment. Look at it often and think about the present moment. Where are you? How do you feel? What’s going on around you?
This will help you build up more of a present moment awareness in your daily life. You may even find that you’re aware of more time during the day and it doesn’t slip by quite as quickly as it used to.
Let the Novelty back into your life
As children, everything was new and exciting. Every leaf, every blade of grass, ever sound. It was all new. We were bathed by Novelty on a moment-to-moment basis. This was a big part in the formation of our brains. Try looking at a minimum of 3 things today (you can do more if you want to) and see something different or new about them. Ask questions and make it interesting. Let your mind wander about it for few moments if it helps.
For example, how about a vehicle that you see every day on your trip to work. Is it washed today? How often do they wash their car? Is there a man or woman driving? Do they look happy today? Are they paying attention? This is good for enjoyment, stress relief, and making those neurons work!
Find Challenges
Yes, you heard me, I said “Find Challenges”. What I mean by Challenge is an opportunity to figure out and/or implement a solution to a problem that will bring you a sense of accomplishment. I am talking about Challenge, NOT fear. They seem to be easily confused in our society today.
Finding solutions to challenges gives you the opportunity to make your brain work in different ways throughout the day. There’s that neuroplasticity again. Along with a sense of accomplishment you will feel for overcoming the challenge, repeated solution finding may also give you a sense of confidence in your abilities and yourself that may not have been present before.
Put it all together
Try to use Present Moment Awareness, Novelty, and Challenge together in your day to day life.
I hope this has helped you want to and begin to take control of your life! You can do it! You’re AWESOME!
That’s it! Thank you for reading! If you’re looking for more help in optimizing your own life and would like to engage my services, or have an idea for a blog post, feel free to contact me.
Wishing you happiness, health, and success!
-Gregg
