This presentation describes how to use brain-based principles to get the best out of yourself and others.

1. The Science of Success Using Brain-based Principles to Get the Best From Yourself and Others

2. The Brain is Hip! Discoveries made in the 1990’s have revealed more about the brain than was known for the past several centuries combined! Everyone wants to know about me…

3. What will my brain get out of this? An overview of what we believed to be true about the brain and what we know now. Factors that lead to optimal cognitive functioning The role of exercise and meditation in maximizing brain performance How to use brain science in individual coaching and managing groups or teams.

4. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? It was long held belief that the brain was completely hard-wired and therefore unable to change or adapt. “Pet Scan” before…

5. We now know that isn’t quite true. The brain can change as a result of environmental stimuli or focused, deliberate effort.

6. For example, we know that London taxi cab drivers have a larger than normal hippocampus, the area of the brain that is critical to memory. Musicians have larger motor, auditory, and spatial areas in the brain. Map of London

7. The brain is Neuroplastic. There are physical changes that occur in the brain as a result of life experiences and/or deliberate development of a particular skill. You can teach an old dog new tricks! “Pet Scan” after change!

8. Brains are not endlessly neuroplastic! Like a computer, we have “default” modes! Choosing to do something else is often an active process (with some exceptions).

9. However….The old saying, “Use it or lose it” is an important brain principle. …and how do we maintain and/or create neural connections?

11. Meditation

13. We need to exercise not only for our bodies but our brains!

14. If there was a such thing as Miracle Gro to nourish the growth of your brain cells, would you use it? BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor) “fertilizes cell growth”. Exercise releases BDNF!!

17. The brain is active!

18. Increases focus, mindfulness, and cognitive flexibility

19. Can create awareness around tendencies to be fearful, anxious, or worried.“Just in case you’re wondering, I am not relaxing…”

20. When perception and judgment are out of balance, there is the potential for chaos (too much stimuli/too many thoughts) or rigidity (being closed to new information). When balance and integration are present, the mind flows like a river. Taken from The Mindful Therapist by Daniel J. Siegel (2010)

21. Stress Response: As a result of increased awareness, options, strategies, and creative problem solving are available. Stress Reaction: Creates a feedback loop that results in maladaptive coping and additional stress.

22. I want to respond to rather than react to stress! I want my mind to flow like a river! How long do I have to meditate to get the benefits? A study done in 2010 suggested that individuals can enjoy the benefits of meditation after just 20 minutes per day!

23. The amygdala is a critical brain structure in FEAR or the flight or fight response. What was once useful in keeping us safe from life threatening dangers now serves to make us fear relatively benign situations such as a job interview!

25. Becoming aware of fears can be helpful: Name and reframe in order to tame!

28. Responding to emails first thing in the morning is extremely taxing on the brain often leading to a tired, burned-out brain.

30. The basal ganglia stores and repeats patterns. A simple example would be drinking a glass of water A more complex pattern would be riding a bicycle. It allows you to do two things at once…within limits. So if you get help from your basal ganglia, you can “multi-task.”

31. The anteriorcingulatecortex gets fired up when distractions are present! The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex inhibits distractions!

33. Inhibit distractions early on before they take on momentum.

35. You aren’t wasting precious time when you sleep. Sleep is an active process that allows your brain to order and rearrange data in your mind, much like a Disk Defragmenter works on a computer!

36. Afternoon naps can be very useful

38. Understand the impact of exercise and meditation on optimal brain functions

40. Practical solutions

42. Gives practical ideas on brain fitness based on these rules