Flexing Your Brain
I remember attending my firstschool in the United States after emigrating from the Philippines. I was soeager to attend my first American school and imagined all the possibilities instore for an exciting future ahead. I was a few weeks into my first-grade class,and we had one of those “read aloud” activities. I was still learning how tospeak English so, naturally, I struggled through the reading activity. I don’tremember exactly what the teacher said but I do remember how I felt when I understoodthat I was categorized as a “slow learner” after the reading activity. I couldhave allowed this moment to devastate me, but instead, that feeling served asfuel for me. It made me so determined to prove what I am capable of.While I still have much to learn, I’ve continued to use this fuel with almost everythingI wanted to come to into my life and it has served me very well.
A few weeks ago, I came across astory about a man named Jim Kwik that resonated with me. When he was only fiveyears old, he suffered from a head injury and he struggled with learning. As aresult, his teachers categorized him as the “boy with the broken brain.” He continued to struggle with conventionaleducation but he managed to teach himself how to read through comic books.Young Jim loved superheroes and his comic books kept his dreams to discover hisown superpowers alive. As the years wore on, he undertook a journey to learnabout his brain – why it was broken and what he could do to fix it. He foundhis passion as he discovered different learning habits, including acceleratedlearning systems and tactics to optimize his mental performance.
Today, he is recognized aroundthe world as his work and passion to help others led to several titles. Histitles include CEO of Kwik learning, international speaker, founder ofSuperheroYou.com, and social entrepreneur, just to name a few. He is well knownand sought after as a memory and speed-reading expert.
Jim Kwik’s story and teachings inspired me to pay more attention to my brain activity. I’m sharing the best lessons I’ve learned from him as they have enhanced the quality of my life tremendously. I hope it sparks a little interest your way, too. Here are his top 10 rules for optimum brain health:
1. Good Diet – weare what we eat!
2. Killing ANTS –Automatic Negative Thoughts. “Your brain is a super-computer and your self-talk is the programit will run.”
3. Exercise – “as your body moves, your brain grooves…”
4. Brain Nutrients–Avocados, blueberries, broccoli, coconut oil, eggs, green leafy vegetables,wild, deep water salmon, turmeric, walnuts, dark chocolate and water.
5. Positive Peer Groups-thisgoes along with what I’ve always taught my children; “Show me your friends andI’ll show you your future.”
6. Clean environment – remove distractions to help bring clarity and focus on what you wish to accomplish each day.
7. Sleep – this is a must to regenerate brain cells. “Your brain consolidates short to long term memory when you rest.”
8. Brain Protection– wear a helmet or avoid extreme sports altogether
9. New Learnings– “Leaders are readers…. download decades of knowledge in days.”
10. Stress management– Exercise is my stress reliever, but I also take time to meditate from 5 to 30minutes each morning to set my intentions for the day, visualize all the possibilitiesand give thanks for all my blessings.
Starting my day with exerciseand meditation helps put me in a state of joy and inspiration throughout therest of my day. I believe that having optimal brain health is the precursor tobeing able to predict our own future because you’re essentially creating it!
Knowing this gives me life! I hope this information is as useful to you as it has been to mebecause knowledge is potential, and action is power!
Editor’sNote: Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) MariaLacuesta-Siroin is the Quality Assurance Manager in the Comptroller Squadron atTravis Air Force Base, California and has extensive experience in a diverserange of leadership and educational roles.