YOU are GREATER than you think!
By

Bob Marley’s great song …. ”We got a mind of our own …. Don’t let them Change ya .… or even Rearrange ya..”

Referring to stay true to yourself, don’t let others define you, and always keep groovin’ to your own beat!

2024 will be an interesting one, change, more globalization while more decentralization, turmoil, potentially another war (nothing new in human history), and some projections for higher stock market after Q2.  So how to survive that? This is what I do: build brain mussels, stay strong, very focus, flexible and healthy. 

WHERE TO START:

Embrace your uniqueness and greatness: 

Celebrate your quirks, passions, and brain – they’re what make you, well, you! 

  • Your brain contains about 100 billion neurons, which are connected by trillions of synapses (connections between neurons).
  • Your brain consumes about 20% of your body’s oxygen and energy, despite only making up about 2% of your body weight.
  • Your brain is constantly creating new neurons and connections (a process called neuroplasticity).
  • Your brain has the capacity to store up to 2.5 petabytes of information, which is equivalent to about 3 million hours of TV shows.
  • Your brain can perform more than an exaflop (1 quintillion) calculations per second – faster than some of the world’s fastest supercomputers!

Here are some great achievements by human.

  • Marie Curie, a scientist who pioneered research on radioactivity, won two Nobel Prizes, and made significant contributions to the field of medicine.
  • Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler for a computer programming language and helped lay the foundations for modern software development
  • Muhammad Ali, a boxer and activist who challenged racial stereotypes, stood up for his beliefs, and was a symbol of resilience and courage.
  • Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity and forever changed our understanding of the universe.
  • Nelson Mandela, a human rights activist and political leader who fought against apartheid in South Africa and became a global icon for peace and reconciliation.
  • Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott with her act of defiance against segregation on public transportation.

Cultivate a growth mindset: 

Believe that your abilities can be developed and improved through effort and persistence, rather than being fixed. A growth mindset emphasizes effort and persistence over innate ability, and can lead to greater achievement and resilience in the face of setbacks.

  • Visualize success: Visualizing yourself achieving your goals can increase motivation and confidence, and can help you stay on track.
  • Set specific, achievable goals: Vague or unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and demotivation. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps to increase the likelihood of success.
  • Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices like meditation can reduce stress and increase focus, which can help you achieve your goals more effectively.
  • Surround yourself with positivity: Seek out people who lift you up and support your individuality. Avoid those who try to diminish your worth or change you.
  • Nurture your curiosity: Engage in new experiences, learn new skills, and explore different perspectives. This can help stimulate your brain and create new neural pathways.
  • Challenge yourself: Push your mental limits through problem-solving, puzzle-solving, and critical thinking activities. This can strengthen your cognitive abilities and enhance your creativity.
  • Prioritize physical health: Regular exercise and a nutritious diet are essential for maintaining a healthy brain and supporting cognitive function.
  • Embrace failure:  Recognize that mistakes and setbacks are opportunities for growth and learning, rather than signs of weakness or inadequacy.
  • Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, even when you’re struggling or making mistakes.
  • Focus on gratitude: Regularly practice expressing gratitude for the good things in your life, no matter how small. This can help shift your mindset from negativity to positivity.
  • Build resilience:  Learn to bounce back from challenges and setbacks by finding the lessons and opportunities within them.

WHY? HERE IS SOME RESEARCH:

  • A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who practiced visualization were more likely to achieve their goals compared to those who did not (Oettingen, Gollwitzer, & Mayer, 2002 – ‘The Motivating Function of Thinking about the Future: Expectations versus Fantasies’).
  • A meta-analysis of studies on goal setting found that specific, challenging goals lead to higher levels of performance compared to vague or non-specific goals (Locke & Latham, 1990).
  • A meta-analysis of studies on growth mindset found that people with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere in the face of setbacks and exhibit greater resilience than those with a fixed mindset (Dweck, 2016).
  • A review of studies on mindfulness and cognitive performance found that mindfulness practice can improve attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility (Pagnoni & Cekic, 2007).
  • Practice challenging cognitive activities, like learning a new language, playing strategic games, or doing crossword puzzles, to strengthen cognitive function (Pasquali, 2017).
  • Engage in regular physical exercise, which has been shown to improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting neuroplasticity (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003).
  • Get enough sleep, as sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive performance (Walker, 2009).
  • Maintain social connections, as social interaction has been shown to promote cognitive health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline (Loneliness & Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease, 2020).
  • Consume brain-boosting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and walnuts), antioxidants (found in berries and dark leafy greens), and vitamin B12 (found in meat, eggs, and dairy).
  • Try cognitive training programs like Lumosity or BrainHQ, which are designed to improve attention, memory, and problem-solving skills through interactive games and activities.
  • Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques, which can lower stress and improve cognitive function (Jha, Krompinger, & Baime, 2007).
  • Stay mentally active throughout your lifespan by learning new things, challenging your brain, and staying engaged in hobbies and activities that you enjoy.

HOW TO DO IT:

Step 1: Positive self-talk: 

Train your brain to think positively by intentionally challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with positive affirmations.

Step 2: Problem-solving skills:

Practice creative problem-solving techniques like brainstorming, mind-mapping, and reverse thinking to develop mental flexibility and creativity.

Step 3: Opportunity mindset: 

Shift your mindset to actively seek out opportunities by being proactive, networking, and remaining open to new experiences and perspectives.

Step 4: Passion discovery: 

Identify your passions by exploring different hobbies, careers, and interests, and focus on activities that give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Can’t say enough about this. 

Step 5: Emotional regulation: 

Develop the ability to manage strong emotions by practicing mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques, which can help you respond calmly and rationally in challenging situations.

Step 6: Stress management: 

Learn stress-reducing techniques like exercise, journaling, or positive self-talk to mitigate the negative effects of stress on your brain and overall well-being.

Step 7: Social connection: 

Strengthen your social connections by prioritizing relationships, being a good listener, and engaging in meaningful interactions, as social connection is a key factor in positive mental health and brain function. Social connection has numerous benefits for the brain, including improved cognitive function, enhanced memory, and reduced stress and anxiety. Strong social connections are associated with lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults, as well as improved recovery from stress and trauma. Building strong social connections involves actively engaging with others, being a supportive and empathetic listener, and participating in activities and interests that you share with others.

Step 8: Sleep hygiene: 

Establish good sleep habits like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and screens before bed, as sleep is critical for brain function and overall health.

Wishing you HAPPINEES, and success in 2024.

#Growth #Selfvalue #Success #Survival #Mindfullness #Successprocess #Passion