CHAPTER 1
Time Proficiency
"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way." – Henry David Thoreau
There is nothing worse than wasting time as it requires more time to do things again, and even worse, it can cause us to miss opportunities and annoy others. Yet, we can control how fast our brains function and our decision-making processes, and consequently improve our time efficiency and ensure that our timing is suitable.
Timely Reaction
If our minds are slow, and ponderous, we will lag behind and cause delays to the whole system. This happens when our brain 'muscles" are not exercised regularly, and they take a voluntary "holiday"; as a result we hear a part of what is being said and often miss the main message. Others react increasingly negatively, as many find this selective listening to be irritating, and some may even toy with the idea of a "disorder" label. Whereas, in fact, all is well, but the brain is just cruising without any challenge to force it out of the easy way into proper functioning.
When this happens, it is as our brains are akin to an old computer, such as a 1998 HP Pavilion, which has a slow processor of 75 MHz, limited RAM (8 MB), a slow hard drive (850 Megabyte), and very slow memory capacity (over 500 times slower than a medium priced one these days); additionally that old dinosaur has limited video and sound capacity, and the internet access is via dial-up and extremely protracted.
Such a situation is annoying and make us stand out as way behind the times to our peer groups and family. We need upgrades and to keep challenging our minds so that we can improve our mental sharpness. Using the computer analogy, it as if we cannot access broadband, Wi-Fi, HD live streaming, Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram, and connect our various devices.
Reaction Speed
We need to be in tune with our time; otherwise we are like a hummingbird looking for pollen at the wrong time and in the wrong way.
Thanks to advances in Neuroscience we can boost our mental processing speed and improve our minds' ability to think more clearly and quickly, improve reaction time and alertness and awareness. As a result, we see solutions more easily and can be react at the right time, and make quicker decisions.
This swift data transfer means that our queries can be answered almost immediately and we get responses very quickly. This is a speed-driven environment, which is made possible by more user friendly computers, tablets and smart-phones.
Tuning-up our mental faculties uses the simple techniques of brain fitness, and is available to all adults and all adult generations. It enables us to make decisions faster, remember more accurately, problem solve, recall facts, allow us to formulate thoughts more clearly, and boost our ability to expand and control our emotions so that we do not waste time on deviations or even wrong routing.
This helps older generations catch up with the younger set, and also permits younger generations get a beat on their cohorts.
We can use Brain Fitness techniques to speed thinking and clarity of thought and emotional balance. To start the process we have to trigger chemical reaction that ultimately sets a growth of new brain cells or neurons, and we can nurture this growth so that it improves our ability to process data more efficiently.
This is demonstrated by considerable research that shows our Brains are not "hardwired" in early adulthood, but are pliable, elastic and can be expanded throughout our lives. However, we must choose to exercise our minds as this growth depends on what Azar (2002) in her APA article called "Use it or lose it" basis. In other words we have to keep using our minds and upgrading them in the process as this promotes their development.
Activating Brain Cell Growth
To activate this growth of brain cells and reap the benefits of keeping out brain up-to-date, we need to activate it by using a choice of the simple following exercises that easily can become our pattern of behavior.
There are three components to trigger an internal chemical reaction, which sets off a chain reaction to grow new brain cells. Each of these components must contain novelty, be challenging and require our focus. These involve the following:
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If we visit Internet sites for Brain Training we notice immediately that these programs totally ignore the physical exercise portion, which actually is the most important as they account for 60% of brain cell renewal activation. The other programs are significant too, but together account for 40 % of new brain cell growth.
Physical Exercise
This is the most important element for brain cell stimulation. Perversely, time is the number one reason that people say they do not work out, and yet it is a major time saver. It requires very minor investment; about 20 minutes daily for four times a week. We begin to see the benefits of faster functioning brain, when we keep this up for a few months; yet many will want to do that as it is enjoyable and worthwhile.
This exercise must be novel and challenging and requires us to pay attention, and can include running, biking, swimming, golf, tennis or walking on a treadmill or outside walking the dog. Plus, we know that exercise also helps us feel better and less stressed and good for our bodies.
Mental and Intellectual Exercise
The mental and intellectual activities can be varied and range from learning a new language, playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles, doing Sudoku, reading, designing a website, develop a new social media response, painting, or any other activity that stretches our minds and requires our attention.
This component, which is usually the focus of internet sites, can be fun and enjoyable while we learn new skills or apply ourselves to challenges. It can also include a social aspect that challenges our social skill sets.
Social Engagements
Being sociable as a member of some group challenges our brains to remember names, codes, ways of behaving, views of the group, goals, and options for action and relationship skills.
We may seek out social environments that best mirror our own views, or not; even so that stimulates recollection of beliefs and values. Social engagements activate our own social and relationship skills and may challenge or reinforce our accepted way of thinking and feeling.
Brain Fitness- Keeping it up
Once we have...
