Thoughts are the basis of our behavior, productivity and success. This presentation was delivered to the State of California November 2016 and the Annual Management Forum.
2. Learning Points
• Explore the Mind-Body Connection.
• Develop life-long brain healthy habits.
• Unleash your brain power at work.
3. 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
4. Benefits of Brain Fitness – Cont’d.
• Includes skills such as:
– Emotional self regulation
– Planning
– Overcoming distractions
• Brain fitness is NOT about IQ.
5. 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.
6. Tips to Maximize Your Brain’s Potential
• Single task
• Manage information overload
• Address distractions
• Match mental effort to the task
• Nurture motivation
7. 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.
8. 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”.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.