Walt Disney said all of our dreams can come true — if we believe in them all the way and have the courage to pursue them. Start with maximizing your brain effectiveness.
"Your brain is like a supercomputer, and your self-talk is the program it runs on," said Jim Kwik, who runs Kwik Learning, a brain coaching firm.
Mindset is key, he adds. If you tell yourself you're not good at something, you are programming your supercomputer brain not to be. "Your mind is always eavesdropping on your self talk," Kwik said
The brain calls the shots. Maximizing brain effectiveness starts with nourishing it properly.
Tap Into The Power Of Small Habits
Like steady incremental gains in a 401(k) build wealth over time, consistency also has a compounding effect for mental power, Kwik says. Little by little, a little becomes a lot in many things.
"Tiny, consistent habits can lead to massive changes over time," Kwik said. "Start with just five minutes a day of learning a new language, musical instrument or skill," he said. "Over time, these minutes add up, and before you know it, you've made significant progress without feeling overwhelmed."
Improve Memory For Maximizing Brain Effectiveness
Two of the costliest words in business are "I forgot," Kwik said.
An efficient memory is a multiplier, he says. "You have a clear competitive advantage when you can easily recall names, product information and client details," he said.
One way to improve memory is to associate what you're trying to memorize with a visual image. Take names for example: Think of a "Mary" as holding a little lamb. Imagine drawing a "check mark" on "Mark's" forehead.
Creating a visual memory link makes it easier to remember information.
Drive Brain Function Through Refueling
What you eat matters, especially for your gray matter, says Kwik, author of "Limitless Expanded Edition: Upgrade Your Brain."
He quotes Dr. Eva Selhub, an expert in avoiding burnout, who wrote "your brain functions best when it gets only high premium fuel."
Kwik's research with experts shows that omega-3 fatty acids in foods like salmon and walnuts, or through supplements, help improve brain function.
Other foods Kwik says are associated with brain functionality include avocados, green leafy vegetables and eggs. Also drink plenty of water.
"These are essential for brain health and can improve focus and memory," Kwik said.
Reflect Daily
Schedule a daily check-in with yourself to make sure you are still on track mentally, says Hortense Le Gentil. She's an executive leadership coach and the author of "The Unlocked Leader: Dare to Free Your Own Voice."
Le Gentil's daily routine includes yoga and meditation. "I connect with my body and mind to help me understand where my priorities stand, so I can begin each day with peace and balance."
Further, she says, every morning Nike CEO John Donahoe enjoys "a workout of the mind, which includes both meditation and a gratitude practice. So does Arianna Huffington."
Every evening when Best Buy CEO Corie Barry drives home from work, she spends a few minutes reminding herself of what drives her mind. It's the goal to leave the world a little bit better in the business of daily life.
Le Gentil says what matters most is not so much exactly how you check in with yourself. That could be through your list of daily questions, affirmations or meditation.
"What matters is that you make it a daily habit or ritual," she said. Otherwise, we risk "falling back into the groove of how we've been thinking and operating, particularly when under pressure."
Be Honest With Yourself
To reprogram your brain on certain things about ourselves, the first thing is to commit to being honest with yourself. And that takes courage.
"Each of us knows when we lie to ourselves, and nobody can make the decision for us," Le Gentil said. "See the value of being honest and the value of change."
She suggests working with someone you trust, such as a coach, therapist or a spiritual leader. Ask for feedback to confirm or not that you are being honest with yourself.
"Finding help is critical to build confidence when we want to face our fears and be true to ourselves," Le Gentil said.
