Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Sunday, 19 April 2020
Saturday, 18 April 2020
Friday, 17 April 2020
How to Think Positively to Achieve Success
How to Think Positively to Achieve Success
A lot of cynical people believe that
thinking positively is a crock. How is it possible that being obnoxiously
optimistic is going to provide you with the tools that you need to become
successful? No matter what you think it isn’t going to change the world around
you, right?
While that may be true, thinking positively
has been proven in studies to change your mind and body for the better and help
you to recognize the opportunities around you. Whether you want to believe that
blind optimism is the key to success or not, there is little dispute that being
a positive thinker enhances your quality of life and makes you more likely to
seize the opportunities that are around you and stay motivated to follow those
opportunities down a path to success.
The first thing you need to do in order to
begin to think positively is to really examine yourself and your negative
thoughts. Be honest with yourself about where these negative thoughts creep up
and begin to consume you. It is common for the human mind to overvalue negative
input over positive input, so make sure that you know yourself very well and
are willing to understand that your negative thoughts are not necessarily going
to be productive. Interrupt negative thoughts with positive thoughts and rewire
your brain so that you can think positively and achieve success.
This can be done in a number of ways. You
can begin a dialogue with yourself that you alone are invested in. Remind
yourself of all of the positive things that you have to gain and what you need
to do in order to get there. This will increase your focus and provide you with
a built-in fan base that will continue to move you forward no matter how
challenging things may be.
It is also important for you to recognize
your own belief system and the ways that it might be faulty. Each of us are
raised with certain expectations of the world that sometimes just get in the
way. Think about how you believe the world operates and consider the ways that
these beliefs are actually holding you back. If you find yourself limited by
your own perception, then it is not too late for you to change those beliefs
and focus on something much more positive and productive.
Thinking positively can help you to view
the world in a more objective light so that you are able to pick and choose the
information that will help you along the way as you begin to plan for your
successful venture. As long as you stay true to your own vision and don’t doubt
yourself, you will find that your fears are unfounded and you actually are
capable of success. Only you know what you are truly capable of, so do not
trust any other authorities if they tried to make you doubt that.
Remember,
your vision is your own, and only you can make your dreams come true.
Changing Your Physiology to Change Your Mind
Changing Your Physiology to Change Your Mind
In order to
perform your best, you need to be in the perfect state of mind.
That means
that you need to have just the right chemical balance of neurotransmitters in
order to be slightly aroused and alert but not to the point of being stressed
to distraction. During times of relaxation, you of course want to tone down
that stress to achieve a relaxed state of mind, which is also optimal for being
creative.
You can use
nootropics, brain training, visualization and more to achieve this, or you can
rely on your natural cycles and simply choose the right time to work. Our body goes through natural cycles based on what we
eat, what the weather is like and even our breathing.
But
alternatively, you could also consider actively influencing these physiological
factors in order to trigger the most desirable mental state for the given
activity.
The Role of Physiology
You can
also manipulate your physiology in order to alter your mental state and to
change the way you feel and perform at any given time.
For
example, if you wanted to be more alert and focussed, then you should avoid a heavy lunch. A heavy lunch
requires energy simply to digest and as it triggers the release of feel-good
endorphins, which also happen to be inhibitory neurotransmitters, it actually
makes your brain more sluggish.
This is one
reason that many people claim they feel more alert and focussed when they are
in a fasted state (it possibly also has to do with the release of ketones,
which are preferential for certain specific mental activities).
Conversely,
if you find yourself becoming anxious and grumpy, then consider seeking out more food in order to fix that chemical
balance.
Likewise,
if you turn the temperature down slightly, then you will also increase your
arousal. The colder you are, the faster you breathe and the faster the blood
flows through your veins. You also produce significantly more norepinephrine
and testosterone. This is why it can be such an effective tool to take a cold
shower, to jump in a plunge pool, or even just to splash cold water on your
face.
Another
good way to fight the fight or flight
response though and to restore your homeostasis/calm is to practice correct
breathing. Correct breathing technique is often referred to as ‘belly
breathing’ and it involves first relaxing the diaphragm and then allowing the
stomach to expand as the lower portion of the lungs drop into it, before
feeling up the top of the lungs and expanding the chest. This slower, fuller
breathing can modulate the response of your parasympathetic nervous system in
order to restore a sense of calm – especially if you make each breath longer
and count for 4-5 seconds on every exhale and inhale. Next time you’re about to
give a speech or do an interview, try this technique to calm your nerves.
Master Your Emotion
Many of us
make the mistake of believing that our emotions arise from our thoughts, but
more often it is our thoughts that arise from our emotions. And what do our
emotions arise from? Our feelings.
These have an evolutionary purpose remember, so they are all about driving us
toward survival – finding food, resting when we can and avoiding danger.
If you’re
having a bad day and you think the world kind of sucks, then before you do
anything rash, ask if you might be over tired (which makes us groggy but
eventually results in a fight or flight response), overly hungry or even ill which can create brain fog by
causing inflammation via the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Either way,
look after your body if you want to have the best chance of controlling your
mind and consider the context for how you’re feeling at any given time. The
reason you can’t focus might even be because your belt is digging in…
Accessing Greater Strength and Creativity Through Mental Control
Accessing Greater Strength and Creativity
Through Mental Control
If you’re
interested in the concept of heightening human performance and getting the very
most out of your brain and body, then chances are you will have come across the
subject of flow states. Flow states are a mental state synonymous with
heightened awareness and reflexes, when we are completely focussed and all
distracting thoughts melt away.
Flow states
get a lot of positive attention and
this is deserved for the most part; but they are often treated as a ‘cure all’
for our performance, along with increased mindfulness.
Right now,
all the literature regarding our mental health seems to be around ‘being in the
moment’ or focussing more.
But there
is always a danger with something like this that we will become overly enamored
with a single solution. Like a fad diet, we can end up getting carried away
with one solution and end up trying to apply it to every aspect of our lives.
Flow states
are not the answer to everything and they should not be relied upon in every
situation. And while being in your own head can be a bad thing, it can also
actually be a very good thing.
The Default Mode Network
Consider
the default mode network for instance. This is a network of brain regions that
activates in the brain when we are daydreaming, planning ahead or generally
completely detached from reality. It often sees activation when we engage in
repetitive, manual tasks and allow our mind to wander.
This is in
many ways the opposite of a flow
state, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad thing. After all, the ability to think
ahead, to imagine and to create is what makes us human… and it’s also where
many of our best ideas come from.
Einstein
was almost certainly using the
default mode network when he came up with his theory of Special Relativity. He
was working in a patent office at the time and he even credits the menial work
with helping him to flex his imaginative muscles.
So yes, be
‘mindful’ and aim for ‘flow’ but don’t forget that there are other useful mental
states out there too.
Ultimate Strength
At the
other end of the spectrum, what happens when you go passed a flow state? What happens when you become more aroused and
alert than you ever have before?
This may be
what causes a state known as ‘hysterical strength’. If you’ve heard stories of
Mothers who have lifted cars off of their trapped children, then that’s what
scientists now suspect hysterical strength to be.
Normally,
you are only capable of recruiting 30% (average) to 60% (highly trained athlete)
of your muscle fiber at once. This protects the body from harm and prevents us
from becoming completely fatigued. But when you are in a life-or-death
situation, adrenaline is released and this actually increases muscle fiber
recruitment to a large extent – studies show that even shouting in the gym can
trigger the release of enough adrenaline to cause marginal increases in
strength.
So, when
you see red and your body is awash with these hormones, it appears that you are
actually capable of tapping into immense reserves of super-human strength. It’s
not something that has been thoroughly researched or even proven, but it’s a
fascinating concept and it demonstrates just how much untapped potential our
minds and bodies are hiding.
Accelerated Learning Techniques
Accelerated Learning Techniques
From a
neurological perspective, there are few things that are better for the
development of true intelligence than to learn multiple subjects. This
encourages the use of multiple brain areas and by learning lots of different
subjects you can use them together –
thereby enhancing the interconnectivity of your brain. Learning itself triggers
the release of dopamine, BDNF and other neurotransmitters that enhance
plasticity – meaning that the more we learn, the easier learning becomes.
And having
multiple skills means we can thrive in multiple different situations. This is
one benefit of being a freelance writer – I’ve learned countless skills from
how to pick a lock to how to fix the toilet!
And if you
want to learn more, faster, then you only need apply a range of ‘accelerated
learning’ techniques. Here are some of the best…
The Feynman Technique
The Feynman
Technique is a mental model named for Richard Feynman. The aim is to learn and
to increase your depth of knowledge by making sure you can teach someone else the subject. The idea is that if you can’t
explain a subject simply, you don’t fully understand it.
To this
end, Feynman suggests a flow chart of steps.
Start with
the concept and then ‘explain like I’m five’ (ELI5). If you don’t understand,
pinpoint the gap in your knowledge. Then try using an analogy to explain that
(which actually taps into the way we understand the world – using embodied
cognition) and then simplify that concept.
Then repeat
the cycle.
Writing an
explanation of the topic you’re trying to learn can often help to this end.
DiSSS
Tim
Ferriss, author of The 4 Hour Workweek has
a different method for learning subjects more quickly. He calls this the DiSSS
method.
The phrase
is of course an acronym, which stands for:
·
Deconstructing
(what are the minimal learnable units?)
o
iNterviewing
(asking people who have already mastered the skill)
o
Reversal
(looking at the end goal – for instance, Tim recommends learning finishing
moves first in chess and then working
backwards to learn how to get to that point)
·
Selection
(which 20% of the minimal blocks should I focus attention on?)
·
Sequencing
(what is the best order to learn said blocks in?)
·
Stakes
(how can you set up stakes to motivate yourself to keep learning)
The First 20 Hours
The First 20 Hours is a book by Josh Kaufman, that explains an
alternative accelerated learning method. The central conceit is to aim for a
‘target performance level’ or more specifically, to know what you want to
achieve through learning. In particular, if you want to learn to code, then
don’t set out to ‘learn to code’ which is much too vague, but instead set out
to create a specific goal. Not only
is this much more intrinsically motivating with more of an emotional drive, but
it also gives you much more structure and it shows you precisely which skills
you need to develop.
Conclusion
Combine
these methods with adequate interest and with strategies to increase brain
plasticity and you can rapidly accelerate your learning and become a far more
formidable mind.
5 Useful Tips for Managing Your Anxiety
5 Useful Tips for Managing Your Anxiety
It's estimated that almost 18 percent or 40
million adults in the United States suffer from anxiety, which makes it the
most common mental illness in the country. Anxiety can impact anyone,
regardless of the kind of life they lead. Unfortunately, many people suffer in
silence because they are ashamed to admit their struggles with anxiety. If you
are one of the millions who suffer from anxiety, here are five useful tips to
help you better manage your condition.
Tip
#1 – Watch for Your Triggers
If you know what triggers your anxiety, you
can then effectively plan your day around them. If there are times throughout
the day that you know your anxiety is likely to be triggered, plan time-outs,
or periods of exercise during these times. Having an understanding of your
danger spots can help to lessen your anxiety.
Tip
#2 – Start Exercising
Regular daily exercise has many benefits,
including helping to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of anxiety. If you
haven't made regular exercise a habit in your life, its time you start. You
don't have to spend hours in the gym, even a short walk around the block every
day can significantly impact your life and decrease your anxiety.
Tip
#3 – Take Some Time to Breathe
When your symptoms of anxiety start to rear
their ugly head, taking some time alone to breathe can be highly effective in
managing your anxiety. Deep breathing exercises can help to calm your heart and
help you instantly feel at peace. It can also aid in our ability to make
rational decisions.
Tip
#4 – Talk to Someone You Trust
You don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach
out to someone who will treat you with understanding and kindness. If you don’t
have any support at home, or with friends, then you can look up local support
groups near your home or place of business. There are always resources
available, all you have to do is reach out.
Tip
#5 – Understand That You’re in Control
While it may not feel this way when you're
in the midst of a panic attack, it is essential to understand that you have the
power of your life. Even if you feel trapped, or out of control, you have to
realize that you have control over every decision that you make in your life.
Thursday, 16 April 2020
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Accessing Greater Strength and Creativity
Through Mental Control
If you’re
interested in the concept of heightening human performance and getting the very
most out of your brain and body, then chances are you will have come across the
subject of flow states. Flow states are a mental state synonymous with
heightened awareness and reflexes, when we are completely focussed and all
distracting thoughts melt away.
Flow states
get a lot of positive attention and
this is deserved for the most part; but they are often treated as a ‘cure all’
for our performance, along with increased mindfulness.
Right now,
all the literature regarding our mental health seems to be around ‘being in the
moment’ or focussing more.
But there
is always a danger with something like this that we will become overly enamored
with a single solution. Like a fad diet, we can end up getting carried away
with one solution and end up trying to apply it to every aspect of our lives.
Flow states
are not the answer to everything and they should not be relied upon in every
situation. And while being in your own head can be a bad thing, it can also
actually be a very good thing.
The Default Mode Network
Consider
the default mode network for instance. This is a network of brain regions that
activates in the brain when we are daydreaming, planning ahead or generally
completely detached from reality. It often sees activation when we engage in
repetitive, manual tasks and allow our mind to wander.
This is in
many ways the opposite of a flow
state, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad thing. After all, the ability to think
ahead, to imagine and to create is what makes us human… and it’s also where
many of our best ideas come from.
Einstein
was almost certainly using the
default mode network when he came up with his theory of Special Relativity. He
was working in a patent office at the time and he even credits the menial work
with helping him to flex his imaginative muscles.
So yes, be
‘mindful’ and aim for ‘flow’ but don’t forget that there are other useful mental
states out there too.
Ultimate Strength
At the
other end of the spectrum, what happens when you go passed a flow state? What happens when you become more aroused and
alert than you ever have before?
This may be
what causes a state known as ‘hysterical strength’. If you’ve heard stories of
Mothers who have lifted cars off of their trapped children, then that’s what
scientists now suspect hysterical strength to be.
Normally,
you are only capable of recruiting 30% (average) to 60% (highly trained athlete)
of your muscle fiber at once. This protects the body from harm and prevents us
from becoming completely fatigued. But when you are in a life-or-death
situation, adrenaline is released and this actually increases muscle fiber
recruitment to a large extent – studies show that even shouting in the gym can
trigger the release of enough adrenaline to cause marginal increases in
strength.
So, when
you see red and your body is awash with these hormones, it appears that you are
actually capable of tapping into immense reserves of super-human strength. It’s
not something that has been thoroughly researched or even proven, but it’s a
fascinating concept and it demonstrates just how much untapped potential our
minds and bodies are hiding.
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