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| > The Practice > Practice Builder |
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| Rewire Your Brain For Success |
| by
Allyson Lewis
| 09-24-09 |
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You can become more productive, more efficient and more organized. There is breakthrough scientific evidence being published that says with training you can modify your daily behaviors to sustain positive personal change and maintain motivation to become more successful.
In this article, I will share the basics of a fascinating science that was first proposed in the 1890s and gained more popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, but is just now being written about in many books and articles that ordinary readers can understand and implement. What I am describing is the concept of "neuroplasticity." The simple definition of this term is that the brain can be thought of as changeable.
For years, scientists understood that the brain was made up of neurons that fired chemical connections to communicate, but they believed that these cells were hard-wired to accommodate specific duties. For example, the area of your brain that controlled sight was called the visual cortex and scientists believed that these cells could only be used to see. But, in an amazing turn of events, as brain imaging equipment has become more sophisticated these researchers are able to map the brain with amazing accuracy and what they are finding has surprised even them.
Here's one of the most common examples of neuroplasticity. Imagine that for the first 30 years of your life you had complete access to sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Then completely lose your ability to see. In this example, through brain imaging researchers are finding out that the specific number of neurons being used in your visual cortex region will begin to shrink and the specific number of actual neurons dedicated to your other will begin to increase. Your brain will begin to rewire itself to become more efficient. Your brain will change.
This is amazing and fascinating science for many reasons:
1) Because the brain is changeable, then we can continually grow and change for the better.
2) Through neuroplasticity, what you focus on actually changes or rewires your brain.
3) Learning new skills actually changes the brain.
4) You can modify behaviors and shape your success by choosing to learn new skills.
5) Repetition is a key element to sustaining change.
Here is a further explanation of how you can begin to rewire your brain for success.
1. Because the brain is truly plastic or changeable, then we can continually grow and change for the better.
The idea that the brain is plastic or changeable should come as no surprise to anyone. Many of you reading this article have made a mental choice to take up a hobby at some point in life. For this example, let's say as an adolescent your parents decided it would be a good idea for you to take piano lessons. At first, it seemed impossible to play the piano. You had to consciously look at the mysterious notes on the paper. Somehow your brain translated the written note into a position on the piano and finally you converted the thought of each note into a movement of energy into your fingers. As the months went by, your brain began to understand the concept of notes translating into movement and eventually if you stuck with your training, the ability to play the piano has become second nature to you.
The exciting part of this research is that now they are finding out it is never too late to grow and change. You can start at any point in your life to re-wire your brain with new skills and new knowledge. From becoming more proficient in golf, to learning how to speak a new language, your brain is ready and more than able to grow and change.
2. Through neuroplasticity, what you focus on actually changes your brain.
What you focus on actually shapes your life. That is a powerful statement, but one that has been repeated through the centuries. The Old Testament book of Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . " and Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "A man is what he thinks about all day long."
If you want to be successful you must begin to think about what has made you successful up to this point and then focus your attention on those things.
3. Learning new skills actually changes the brain.
Success craves increasing complexity and competence. A life of fulfillment seems to be a circular activity of setting new and clearly defined goals that excite and motivate, taking the time to learn a new skill set and new knowledge to attain those goals, reaching those goals and celebrating that success. Then, defining new goals that continue to challenge and draw you farther down a path of self-defined success.
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Allyson Lewis is the author of The Seven Minute Difference. She speaks about improving time-management, increasing productivity, and rediscovering purpose. Visit her Web site to find out more about her newest time-management project, The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner. She also has a blog and a Twitter account.
The author is not an employee of Morningstar, Inc. The views expressed in this article are the author's. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar. |
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