Mind INTO Matter!

Thanks to the growing research and awareness of neuroscience, we are coming to a point in which we are familiarizing ourselves with the amazing abilities of neuroplasticity –an ability that we all share. We know our brain becomes shaped by the experiences we have AND by the attention we give.

For example, if we focus on things like:

• Self-criticism
• Worries
• Hurt
• Stress

our brains will shape:

• Greater reactivity
• High-sensitivity to Anxiety and Depression
• Focus on threats and losses
• More driven towards anger, sadness, and guilt

On the other hand, if we focus on things like:

• Good events
• Pleasant feelings
• Accomplishments
• Good intentions
• Our good qualities

our brains will shape:

• Strength and Resilience

• Realistic Optimism

• Positive Mood

• Sense of Worth

In shorter words, whatever we give our attention to, the brain will absorb all that it can from it.

One thing to keep in mind is that all of us have not-so-positive thoughts. That’s because we are evolutionarily used to thinking about “what-if” situations meant for our survival. And it can be difficult paying attention to the things that will bring us more psychological satisfaction and overall well-being, while at the same time knowing there are things we may not want happening, such as:

• debt
• deaths
• divorces
• the wrong amount of cream in our coffee…

And while paying attention to certain things like these is necessary for us to simply be aware of their effect, negative experiences do still have a threshold. And that’s what we can leverage.

When negative experiences and thoughts offer no more benefits, or if the costs outweigh the benefits, and all but pain is left, the negative experiences are of no use any more.

On the other hand, positive experiences and thoughts empower us by developing resilience and strong(er) mindsets because they always have beneficial gains. By focusing on positive experiences –and sometimes maybe only on neutral experiences as a starting point– we alter our neural patterns from being fixated on negativity towards more benefits of where our attention is redirected to.

For example, if someone cuts us off in line or on the highway, our default reaction would be to get mad or irritated.

However, if we remember a time that we were in a hurry ourselves, we can focus on letting them pass and thus, make our internal wiring more resilient and geared towards positive emotions and thoughts the next time the same thing happens. When we do this over a period of time, we will eventually have “taught” our brain how to wire itself to develop a positive, and automatic, response.

Our minds develop the structure of our brain, and likewise, the brain also helps in developing the mindset.

Yet, we have more control over our minds because we are the gatekeepers (the protectors) of what goes in and what comes out; what we watch when we turn on the TV, what we listen to in the car, and especially, what we say to ourselves when we are facing challenges.

And it is through this streamline of attention that produces patterns of thinking, because it is causes neurons to fire in certain areas of our brain.

Thinking positively, learning to turn mind INTO matter, can continuously equip us with these 3 prominent neurotransmitters that will empower us to live the life we want to live, healthily and happily.

As Leaders, it is essential to understand how our minds affect our brains. We don’t need to be die-hard neuroscientists to be live-hard enablers of the world. As Leaders, we lead by exemplary behavior and that behavior starts with our minds and what we focus on. Let’s continue to give our attention to what will add value to those around us, the world, and ourselves.

Let’s lead with a positive stride into what truly matters.

🔴 Be Empowered, my friends.