Neuroplasticity – We can train our mindset!

Our thoughts are at the root of everything in our life. We each have the power and ability to shape our mind to work better for us and our lives – scientifically proven truth that it is possible. Let’s learn more!

The Bottom Line – We can train our mind to work for us!

• Our mind is not a fixed entity. As humans, we can train our mind, so that it makes the decisions that build and support the life we WANT, versus falling victim to demands, circumstances and (all kinds of) built-in pre-programming that runs rampant in our brain.
• Scientifically, this ability to rewire our brain is called Neuroplasticity.
• Mindset training is the process of actively transforming our brains to make choices that support the life we want. We need to put in the effort initially to carve the desired pathways, but then we will reap the benefits forever.

Riding a bike is an acquired skill, just like training our mind to make helpful decisions to support the life we want to have. The process of learning to ride a bike created neural connections that were strengthened through repeated practice. We had to put in the effort initially to create the pathways (learn to ride) and reinforce them (practice), but then we reap the benefits for the rest of our lives (being adults that can ride a bike).

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity (or brain plasticity) is the ability of our brain to modify its connections and re-wire itself physically to work differently than before. Our brain can adapt when it recognizes the need for change.

• Most of the time our brain runs on ‘default’ mode. Sources suggest that the average person makes an eye-popping 35,000 choices per day or roughly 2,000 decisions/hour. Active decision-making pulls on our energy, so default pathways are formed to lessen the energy spend and automatically make decisions based on repeated thoughts and behaviours. Our default brain will choose the easy path, the carved path every time it can to preserve energy – lets make sure we like where the path takes us time and time again.

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Why does Neuroplasticity matter to us?

• The ability of our brain to grow and reorganize is key to developing from infancy, learning new things, or recovering from brain injuries. Aside from these monumental reasons to celebrate neuroplasticity, if we work to ‘train’ our brain to operate the way we want it to, the life we want magically becomes possible and ‘easier’.

Back to Why Mindset Training matters!

• The brain is always learning – good or bad. Through mindset training we actively shape our pathways to interpret the world and make decisions in line with our values and desires. With some effort up front, we get the desired outcomes with less energy each day.

• Most of us wouldn’t question our ability to learn a new physical skill (like biking), or the need to make the initial effort required and then enjoy the benefits, like going for a long bike ride with friends and family. YET most of us are unaware of the need or don’t have the skills to make the same type of investment in our thinking ways and how we live our life.  Mindset Training requires us to put in effort at first (develop mindset training habits), so that our mind works FOR us and our lives (by default processes information and makes decisions that serve the people we want to be and the life we want to lead).

• An untrained mind leaves the door open for the circumstances and the world around us shape our thoughts, our neural pathways and ultimately our lives. Without actively working on our mindset, we give away our power! 

Why Mindset Training matters even MORE for WOMEN?

• From adolescence and through adulthood, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. This gender differences in depression result in part, from women’s tendency to ruminate more than men. Rumination involves repetitively and passively focusing on symptoms of distress and on the possible causes and consequences of these symptoms.

• Wallowing in the SHOULD-HAVE and SHOULD-BE is not self-development, it’s a self-pity event that uses our energy to hold back our growth. It is a critical skill for women to learn to manage our mind and minimize unnecessary rumination!

• We need to get away from ‘SHOULD-ING’ in judgement mode and move us to intentional thinking and planning forward rooted in our NEEDS and WANTS.

How?

Rewiring our brains sounds pretty complicated, but in reality, it is something that is entirely possible and in our control with sustained effort and healthy lifestyle. Our brain doesn’t know the different between ‘good’ and ‘bad’. It learns whatever is repeated – both helpful and unhelpful. This is where our Intentionality comes in:

1. DEFINE THE TARGET: We work to define what values we want to live by and goals we want to achieve.
2. SET THE PATHWAY: We need to work to ‘tell’ our brain what we DO desire and what DOES NOT serve us well, so it can build the supportive neural pathways.
3. REINFORCE: With consistency, we to solidify these intentional brain pathways.