Using
Mind Power
The
brain weighs about three pounds. It contains about thirty
billion neurons. These act as centers of brain activity
pretty much the same way as do components of a computer.
Brain neurons are connected to each other through an elaborate
network. Altogether, some 100 trillion trillion atoms "cooperate"
in our brain's neurons and connectors.
We would all benefit if we understood that our pay envelope,
or our personnel folder does not dictate our limits, or
our education, but that these 100 trillion trillion atoms
are a more accurate gauge of those limits.
The brain is a phenomenal computer. The portion of our brain
that we use in social, business, and professional life is
impressive enough, but that is only about one-tenth of its
true capacity.
Triggering
Creative Ideas
1.
Preparation. The left-brain does its homework.
2. Absorption. The right brain images the groundwork and
the goal.
3. Incubation. A period of gestation and maturation of ideas
that take place at the subconscious level.
4. Illumination. The "Eureka!" factor. The idea
explodes into our conscious ideas and checks the final conclusion.
Verification. A logical left brain process that eliminates
extraneous ideas and checks the final conclusion.
Mental
fitness
Each
time you your mind to a task that exacts concentration,
you apply your mental, strength. You use it when you sort
through the options in a difficult decision, work through
a complex math problem, balance a checkbook, or narrow your
attention and focus it on one thing or idea and keep it
there. Mental strength is the ability to concentrate when
you want to, as hard as you want to, for as long as you
want to.
Mental
flexibility is your capacity to switch from one mode of
though to another. It's a playful process as you toy about,
find new combinations, and look in new directions. You bend
concepts, twist ideas, and put your mind in unusual postures
to explore new possibilities. Mental flexibility is artistry,
holistic thought, creativity, brainstorming, and a bit of
Zen, all rolled into one.
When
you want to put your ideas into action, you need mental
endurance. Mental staying power is the ability to sustain
an increased level of activity without getting distracted
or discouraged. Only by stretching, flexing, exerting, relaxing,
moving your mind in different ways, performing different
mental movements, does your mind get in shape.
What
makes a good mental exercise?
Solving
a crossword puzzle-Preparing for an exam-Conducting a television
interview-Improvising on stage-Studying a difficult text-Cooking
a gourmet dinner-Making up a chewing gum jingle-Visualizing
a friend's face-Recalling the last time you had ice cream-Reciting
the national anthem backwards-Naming your elementary school
teachers-Continuing the sequence: 2,4,8,16, as long as you
can-Learning a new language-Telling a convincing lie-Programming
a computer-Figuring out how a toaster works-Drawing a realistic
landscape-changing a bad mood into a good mood-Contemplating
infinity-Writing a docudrama-Recalling an important conversation
you had last month-Asking your boss for a raise-Finger painting-Controlling
your temper-Reorganizing your bedroom-Questioning authority-Designing
a better mousetrap-Explaining why the sky is blue to a four-year-old-Negotiating
a contract-Bluffing in a poker game-Playing a video game-Searching
for truth.
The
mind can do anything if…
The
mind can indeed to anything; but for most of us, it doesn't.
The reason is that we don't believe it can.
As you come to understand what your mind can do, you can
do more. Your desire then becomes powered by your expectation
and belief. Your mental "foot" is off the brake
and on the accelerator.
