by Darpan Sachdeva
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
– Lord Buddha
I’ve always been intrigued by the intricacies of the human mind and its responses to various stimuli encountered in our daily lives. Whether the outcomes are favorable or unfavorable, whether we achieve success or face failure, whether we thrive financially or struggle economically, my studies and research have consistently shown a direct correlation between these outcomes and the state of our brains, or, put differently, our mindset. It is indeed possible to reprogram our brains for success.
Through years of studying successful individuals and their habits, I’ve come to the conclusion that mindset is paramount in achieving success. Our success in life hinges directly on the condition of our brains, which, in turn, is influenced by the state of our minds. Negative mental states induced by stress can diminish the function of higher-order brain regions crucial for success.
The silver lining, however, lies in cultivating qualities that foster a positive mindset. By doing so, we not only repair but also enhance the neural networks in our brains, enabling us to thrive in various aspects of our lives.
While genetics and past traumas may predispose our brains to stress, we possess the ability to rewire these maladaptive circuits. This process, known as neuroplasticity, involves changing our minds to change our brain experiences. Adopting a positive mindset not only repairs the brain but also facilitates the growth of new neurons and connections, thereby boosting cognitive abilities.
The journey to rewiring our brains for success and cultivating positivity is more straightforward than one might think, with noticeable changes occurring within 4 to 6 weeks.
Simple approaches that add little to your to-do list prove to work best:
1.Practice Positive Thoughts
Positive thinking can influence our lives. The book The Secret (and a powerful co-sign from Oprah) took this age-old concept and brought it into the mainstream. There has been much discussion in the past 2 decades about the impact positive thoughts can have. The impact not only on your future and the things you attract into your life, but also your personal well-being.
However, what people tend to forget is that positive thinking isn’t something that “just happens.” You have to actively practice positive thinking on a daily basis, and find ways to nurture optimism in your life.
2.Meditation and Other Brain-Calming Practice
Meditation has quickly taken root in the world of business and fast-paced entrepreneurial communities desperate for mental clarity.
It’s been found that meditation practices can do everything from lowering anxiety to increasing productivity. Meditation has also been found to increase feelings of self-esteem and cognitive function and can improve our brains’ ability to focus. It helps rewire brain towards success.
3.Visualization Is the Key
A 2007 Harvard Medical School study found that the simple act of visualizing five-finger piano exercises resulted in the same region of the brain expanding as when the students physically practiced the same exercises with their fingers.
The takeaway is that mental training plays a significant role in the way we practice. Both real and imagined exercises can have a positive impact on our brain’s development. So, when someone talks about visualization being a key part of their recipe for success, take them seriously. Visualization can help to rewire brain towards success.
4.Healthy Food habits for Brain
Life hackers swear by diets rich in omega-3s and healthy fats. Actually, this is the reason so many startups guzzle bulletproof coffee: the healthy fats combined with coffee result in highly productive mornings and afternoons.
Omega-3s are fatty acids that help keep dopamine levels in your brain active and increase cerebral circulation.
Avoid Processed Sugar And Artificial Sweeteners. Sugar is the culprit behind those mornings that start out productive but somehow end with a nap. Sugar gives you a burst of energy that quickly fades and leaves you feeling exhausted. Since most people have diets high in sugar, this explains the constant need for more coffee.
However, it’s also been found that artificial sweeteners like aspartame can actually inhibit your brain’s ability to function normally. This can eventually lead to neurodegeneration.
5.Exercise on A Regular Basis
An endorphin rush can do wonders for your brain, especially when it comes to solving problems or coming up with new ideas. Some of the world’s greatest mental athletes—like chess legend Bobby Fischer—swear by physical exercise.
Fischer used to play rounds of tennis between chess matches, He took long walks to reflect on game play. He insisted that exercise made it easier for him to take a step back from the game of chess and keep his thoughts moving in a positive direction.
6.Control Your Environment
According to Robert Sapolsky, a neuroendocrinology professor at Stanford University,
“Stress can not only be stopped, but reversed once the source, psychological or physical, is removed or sufficiently reduced.”
Our physical environment plays a vital role in the health of our brains.
An unhealthy, negative physical environment can often leave more of an impact than we’re willing to admit. But the good news is, it can be changed. If you’re struggling and you think your environment has something to do with it, get yourself up and out — and move someplace more positive.
7.Begin and End Your Day Positively.
Before you go to sleep at night, thank yourself for a great day. When you wake up, the first words in your head should be something like,
“I feel absolutely fantastic, glad to be alive. I know today will be successful for me.”
8.Optimism
Helen Keller said.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
The research cited makes it abundantly clear that a shift in mindset from stressed to positive generates the brain power that predicts achievement. Your success empowers a second shift, which is the shift from the thought:
– I can’t do this – to the feeling I can do anything.
Darpan Sachdeva is the CEO and Founder of Nobelthoughts.com. Driven by a profound dedication to Entrepreneurship, Self-development, and Success over an extended period, Darpan initiated his website with the aim of enlightening and motivating individuals globally who share similar aspirations. His mission is to encourage like-minded individuals to consistently pursue success, irrespective of their circumstances, perpetually moving forward, maintaining resilience, and extracting valuable lessons from every challenge.
