Maximizing Your Brain’s Potential

Expanding Human Effectiveness

Presented by David Burden

Learning Points

• Explore the Mind-Body Connection.• Develop life-long brain healthy habits.• Unleash your brain power at work.

Benefits of Brain Fitness

A general state of alertness that enables us to:– Be productive – Pay attention– Listen effectively– Solve problems– Be creative and innovative– Memorize key data

Benefits of Brain Fitness – Cont’d.

• Includes skills such as:

– Emotional self regulation– Planning– Overcoming distractions

• Brain fitness is NOT about IQ.

Exploring the Mind Body Connection

• Neuroplasticity– The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural

connections throughout life.– Neuroplasticity occurs throughout adulthood.– As new things are learned and memorized, new brain cells and

synapses develop.– Brain development can be self-directed and enhanced with

healthy routines.– The more active your mind, the greater your cognitive

development.

Tips to Maximize Your Brain’s Potential

• Single task• Manage information overload• Address distractions• Match mental effort to the task• Nurture motivation

Tip 1 – Single Task

• Multi-tasking is a myth: – We are not wired to conduct multiple tasks simultaneously.

• One task at a time:– Helps to focus your attention on a goal and coordinates messages with

other brain systems to carry out the task. • More than one task at a time:

– Splits the brain and diminishes focus and attention.– Causes stress.

Tip 2 – Manage Information Overload

• Creates daily challenges for our brains, causing us to feel mentally exhausted.– Get it out of your head: make a list of key to do items.– Be organized: allows your brain to focus on the task vs. looking

for the stapler.– Manage distractions: knowing what to “filter out” and what to

“let in”.

Tip 3 – Address Distractions

• Manage your “ping” addiction.• Develop boundaries to minimize the office

drop-by.• Gain as much clarity as possible on goals and

tasks. • Keep your desk or office area organized.

Tip 4 – Calibrate Mental Effort

• Focusing the right amount of time according to the importance of the task.– What’s my objective?– What related tasks need to be completed now?– How committed am I to this?

• Make high impact, high result decisions at the top of the day while brain resources are fresher.

Tip 5 Nurture Motivation

• Our brain’s are wired to be inspired.• Motivation, passion, and creativity increase

dopamine within the brain enabling us to see the reward and take action to achieve goals.

Challenge Your Brain Stay curious and involved. Learn new mental and physical skills: e.g., take on a

new language. Challenge yourself with timed exercises. Read, write, and work on crossword or other

puzzles. Consider using websites like www.lumosity.com and www.braingle.com with structured exercises

for your brain.