Dumb Little Man | Tips for Life

As a matter of fact, you’re so comfortable with the left brain linear approach that it has probably tricked you into believing you’re not creative.

Before we talk about ways your left brain is tricking you, let’s take a moment to talk about the right brain left brain theory.

The Right Brain Left Brain Theory

The right brain left brain dominance theory goes something like this: each side of the brain controls different types of thinking and people usually prefer one to the other.

If you’re left brain dominant, your style of thinking is logical, focused and analytical. You tend to think in a linear fashion.

If you’re right brain dominant, you're intuitive, holistic and creative. You tend to think in a nonlinear fashion.

Both sides or modes of thinking are equally important and when combined can be powerful. The truth is, the brain is much more complicated than this and works in a more interconnected way.

However, this theory is still a great way to refer to the two modes of thinking because it is so widely known and the labels are now synonymous with linear and nonlinear styles of thinking. It’s a simple and effective way to refer to and visualize how we use our brains.

Why Creativity is Crucial

How we use our brains is not only crucial to our survival, it also determines whether we succeed or fail.

Our world is changing at a rapid rate and this makes it necessary to be able to think in a nonlinear fashion as well as a linear fashion.

We need use our right brains to get the “big picture,” generate creative ideas and novel approaches to think strategically.

We have to improve our brain power.

On that note, let’s take a look at how our “left brain” tricks us into thinking we are not creative.

5 Tricks Your Left Brain Plays on You

Here are five sneaky ways your left brain tricks you.

Once you know what they are, you'll have a much better chance at avoiding them.

1. Limited View

The view from inside the left brain linear approach is limiting. Think of a straight line (the line represents your thinking).

You start at a specific point (the points represent your ideas) and you build step by step on that point.  This way of thinking is organized, controlled and works well in specific situations, albeit limiting.

Now think of a circle (the circle represents your mode of thinking) with many random points (the points represent ideas) inside that circle that can be connected in novel ways.

Not as logical but many more unique connections. If you picture nonlinear in terms of a circle you can see that it opens up the possibility of unlimited creative ideas.

This type of thinking is crucial in an environment that is changing rapidly.

2. Linear = Safe

We tend to feel a certain amount of control and safety in a tried and true structure. In this case, left brain thinking provides that organized structure. We go from one step to the next.

We are very focused. The outcome is fairly predictable. It’s a safe approach. The only problem is that it’s not safe to be stuck in this mode of thinking.

Quite the contrary, it appears nonlinear thinking is becoming safer in terms of survival and being able to succeed in today’s world. Thinking outside paradigms and thinking in creative ways is proving to be a powerful skill to have.    

3. Logic

Logic is powerful. However, when we step outside of logic we can utilize the power of intuition.

Intuition pulls its information from seemingly invisible sources that we can’t point to but that we are in tune with.

When you think in a nonlinear creative fashion, intuition is your guide.

4. Part to Whole

Putting parts together to get a whole is necessary for building things. You take pieces, line them up, make a whole and then draw conclusions.

However, sometimes it is more advantageous to look at the whole first and break it down into parts.

Right brain thinking looks at the whole first. In this ever-changing world we need to get the "big picture" view first in order to maneuver life.

5. You're Not Creative

The left brain tricks you into thinking you’re not creative and can’t generate new ideas. When we get used to something, we get stuck in a pattern.

This makes it difficult to break out of a limited mode of thinking. In this case, you may identify with being logical and analytical and may be disconnected from your creative right brain.

If you’re left brain dominant, don’t fall for its tricks.

Try opening up to activities that will help you prime your creative right brain pump.

Adding creative thinking to the strength of your left brain may be the secret weapon you're looking for to succeed in today’s world.

1. Remove the clutter

Put away all those papers that are now lying in a jumble on your desk.

When you look at your desk and find it in a complete mess, this sends a negative signal to your mind-obviously a cluttered desk is not a welcoming view.

But as soon as you've managed to get it uncluttered and tidy again, you'll find the view itself provides you with some amount of positive boost-it's like your desks telling you, "It's time to work.", and is calling you by giving you that clean look!

2. Keep disturbances out

This includes locking the door of your room if possible, switching off the cell phone, and taking measures to prevent any other disturbance that you might foresee.

Now many people have told me, they're just too busy to keep their cell phones off while trying to concentrate.

If this is the case with you, keep your phone on silent mode. This will make sure you later know who called, so that you can call them back.

3. Keep distractions out

You've already made sure that others won't disturb you. But what about yourself? Keep out distractions as much as possible to prevent your own mind from straying.

This could include turning off the computer (gasp? Read on.), so that you're not able to surf the web, turning off the television, the radio, the music system etc.

Now what if you're working at the computer? Then you'll have to exert some control over yourself. Don't worry; I've made that easy. See the next point.

4. Use the ‘5-minute strategy'

This is a strategy you can use to get rid of virtually any bad habit. In relation to concentration, you can use this to stop yourself from surfing the web, chatting, leaving your work to watch TV, calling a friend and other similar distractions.

Whenever you feel the urge to, say, surf the web, tell yourself, "I'll surf the web in 5 minutes." Not surfing the web for the entire period while you're working at the computer is difficult. But 5 minutes is easy, isn't it?

Now after 5 minutes, chances are you'll forget about the urge you felt. Even if you haven't, all you have to do is to tell yourself not to give in to your urge for just 5 more minutes.

I think you've got it. You have to repeat this process till the urge goes away, which usually happens after just one 5 minute period, and two at most.

Now you can use this same strategy to make yourself do your work.

If you think you're going to have to work for an hour, it will feel overwhelming. So again, tell yourself, "For the next 5 minutes I'm going to do ___ (your task)."

This will work exactly like before. And after two or three (It's a little more in this case) such periods, your concentration will come naturally.

5. Take a break

Yes, finally-the fun part.

Our concentration wears off after every 1 to 2 hours. So rather than trying hard to pull back your concentration when you feel it slipping, take a break every once in a while. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes after working for an hour, or 10 minutes after 2 hours, whichever suits you.

During these periods our mind rejuvenates itself. So when you go back to work after any such break, it becomes a lot easier for you to concentrate.

So next time you find it difficult to concentrate, try these simple techniques. I've used them, so I know they produce results.

Have you ever considered that your own mind is sabotaging your path to happiness? While your mind may not be the sole culprit, it is a clever foe. Your brain can mislead and make you miserable...and you won't even know it.

But all is not lost. You can learn how to recognize your mind's deception and develop the right mindset. Check out this list of seemingly harmless thoughts to see if your mind is tricking you out of your happiness.

1. From now on, I'm going to do my best.
   How often have you pressured yourself to think positive after an unhappy incident or after seeing something inspirational? While pressure can sometimes provide the necessary push, commanding yourself to do your "best" doesn't give you much flexibility.
   
   We've been conditioned to believe that when we want to make an important change, we have to take a huge leap. But what if you're having a bad day? The energy is suddenly lost, everything looks bleak, and you can't talk yourself out of it.
   
   You feel like a failure.
   
   It's important to remember that the change you want requires time, persistence, and patience. So, take one small step at a time and leave room to learn from your mistakes.


2. I just need to be more like...
   It's normal to think that you should strive to be like those you admire. The problem arises when you wish you could be them.
   
   If you get too wrapped up in mimicking someone else, you'll forget to pay attention to who you are—your needs, your values, your character, your journey.
   
   By all means, learn what you can from your role models and adapt or modify ideas to fit you. But don't forget to find your own voice. Gaining self-knowledge and self-respect is invaluable to building a lasting happiness.


3. I'll just follow what the experts say.
   It's easy to think that experts can help you find your way to happiness. When you're down, their words are like beacons of hope. But that hope can be fleeting if you don't apply the lessons to real life.
   
   Experts share lessons from their own experiences. While advice helps, their words serve only as hints, not answers for your journey. It's in your own real experiences where you will piece yourself together, realize your capabilities, and find out what matters to you.
   
   Learn to trust yourself.


4. I'm so busy. I'll find more time to focus on myself...later.
   Nowadays, being really busy has become something worth bragging about or something you can't escape. However, keep living this way and finding "you" time will start looking impossible. You will probably even blame your commitments for stealing your time.
   
   But is it truly impossible for you to make time for yourself? Are you busy or is it avoidance? Are there duties you can cut out?
   
   Really look at your schedule, prioritize, and put in a little "you" time. Everything else would benefit more if you spent some time caring for your needs.


5. I'm too tired. I need a break.
   Maybe you are taking some "you" time but you don't want to think about anything too intensely. Breaks help you recharge your mind. However, there is such a thing as having too many breaks. In this case, "taking a break" becomes an excuse to escape.
   
   Thinking about your life shouldn't feel like a chore. Take advantage of the moments when your brain isn't dwelling on too many things. For starters, take 10 minutes and ask yourself what you've been doing, why you're doing it, and what will make you happier? It's worth your time.


6. Other people are just luckier than me.
   Bad luck—a popular self-reassurance when we're incapable of understanding why we're not getting what we want. It's a mild form of comfort that temporarily eases the pain but can create resentment of others.
   
   But why put your life at the hands of luck? Personally, I'm a firm believer of "you make your own luck." Do the work you know is necessary because luck can't give you your future happiness—you do.
   
   Have some more faith in yourself because your goals need you—your energy, passion, and determination—if they are to survive.


7. I can't wait until the day...
   ...when I'm happier about my life...when I'm successful...when I'm healthier...when I find my purpose in life.
   
   Daydreaming is healthy to some extent. It allows you to be creative and visualize where you want to be. It only becomes dangerous when you don't do anything about it.
   
   Don't live that happier life in your head. Good things come to those who go after them.
   
   Sure, it's not going to happen overnight. You may experience plenty of false starts and—let's face it—there's a chance you might fail. But keep going, try again or move on to the next thing. After all, isn't life about experiencing and learning from the good and the bad? Meeting new people, exploring ideas, and discovering new places?
   
   Your life won't change if you are passing the time in your dream world. Time is precious, so be in the present and get going.
   
   Want happiness? Know and believe in yourself.

Now that you're aware of these thought traps, you can safely evade them. All that's left is for you to truly believe and apply yourself. Your mind is going to be with you through thick and thin. So, if you want your mind to always work with you instead of against you, then you must find the reasons to believe in yourself.

Be aware, honest, and true to yourself. You are your own ultimate guide for your journey towards happiness. Now, go for it!

So how did I discover these tools? It happened when I started working on my PhD. I didn’t just want to do just any kind of research, I wanted to do research that mattered. The problem was that I had no idea how to do research, never mind research that mattered. So, I decided to try and understand professors that did important work. For years, I watched and I learned, and I am proud to say that I figured it out – and it wasn’t what I expected.

Because I figured it out, I was able to produce about four times the amount of work required to complete a PhD and still spend a lot of time with my family, friends, and on my hobbies. I will now share with you some of what I learned.

Practice Self-Critical Thinking
We are all familiar with critical thinking, the act of questioning the assumptions of arguments that are put before us. Critical thinking is an invaluable skill – without it, we all become gullible and easily manipulated. The problems is that, we usually only apply critical thinking to other people’s ideas. When we apply critical thinking to our own ideas, its power reaches a whole new level. I call this self-critical thinking. Once you find a flaw with your argument, see if you can come up with a better idea. If you practice self-critical thinking, then you will find flaws in your arguments before anyone else. By practicing self-critical thinking, your intellect will amaze you.

Be Persistent
Smart, successful people don’t give up. They believe that they can do it, and so they keep trying until, finally, they succeed. You might know that Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he succeeded. What you might not know is that just about all scientists experience failure on a regular basis. They spend months, even years, trying to find answers, until finally something works out. So if you want to be smart, be persistent.

Learn to Present Your Ideas
Two people can have the same ideas, and the same views and opinions, and yet only one of them might be considered smart. We often forget that everyone is busy with their own lives; they don’t have time to think about and analyze everything we say. If we don’t sell our ideas, virtually no one will recognize their merit. So, if you want others to know that you’re smart, learn how to present your ideas.  Speak clearly, articulate your words, and most importantly, let your enthusiasm about your ideas shine through. Enthusiasm is highly contagious. Some of the most brilliant scientists spend half, yes, half, their time on presentation. If they find it worthwhile, so should you. Finally, learning to sell your ideas is not only good for your reputation, but it also can help others. If you have something to say, say it well, so that others can benefit from your message.

Finally, let me add that in order to be smart, you must also believe in yourself. We are all a lot more similar than we appear. Those who appear smarter than you simply had the rights tools and used these tools to exercise their minds. Exceptional intelligence is well within your reach.

You are smarter than you think.

Mental Boundaries Cause Us to Accept Limitations That Are No Longer There
Much behavior is controlled by the subconscious mind. The subconscious is our autopilot, and one of its functions is to keep us in our comfort zones. This actually is very beneficial in many cases. For example, it would be a waste of time to relearn menial tasks everyday, such as buttoning a shirt, so the mind maps a blueprint of actions and behaviors required to button shirts, eliminating the need to pay too much attention.

Nonetheless, there are definitely other situations where ignoring the auto-response can be the difference between success and failure. For example, trainers shackle young elephants with heavy chains using deeply embedded stakes, so that the young elephants learn to stay in their place. The training is so thorough that even when the elephants are older and more powerful, they never attempt leaving, despite having the strength to pull up the stake and walk away. Even when there’s only a small unattached metal bracelet, meaning the stake is no longer there, the powerful elephants are still hostage to their previous programming. The key is that it is no longer the stake that is holding them prisoner. Their mental barriers are really limiting their movements.

All too often, we impose needless restraints on our lives. We have been so thoroughly convinced of our limitations that we dare not question them, even in cases where those boundaries no longer exist or no longer possess the power to stop our progress. There will always be seemingly valid justifications for why you can’t start that business, give the object of your affections a call, pursue that degree, or lose weight. Those justifications only point out the size of the problem, but they ignore the size of you. Do you know how great you are?

Recognize when your subconscious is acting as the personal saboteur to your dreams and aspirations. Don’t allow the shackles of failure to bind you when the only true barrier is your mind.

Mental Boundaries Will Limit Our Potential
Mental boundaries are also a great danger to your potential. Possibilities for you are determined by your capacity to believe. While this statement may be motivating, the tragedy occurs when your belief system refuses to acknowledge your ability to achieve the seemingly improbable. It was improbable that someone fired for lacking creativity went on to found one of the most creative and magical places on earth, yet Walt Disney persisted. It was improbable that someone ousted by his own board would go on to helm another company and lead it to unprecedented heights then return to his previous company and shatter record after record, yet Steve Jobs persisted. Just because a dream is seemingly improbable, doesn’t mean that you lack the potential to bring it into manifestation. Improbable is not impossible.

Sometimes we acquire these mental barriers from other people. Roger Bannister, the first man recorded to run the 4-minute mile was told by physiologists of his time that not only was running the 4-minute mile impossible for man to do but attempting to do so was dangerous to man’s health. Obviously, they were wrong, and once Roger Bannister proved so, the world was not only stunned, but the collective mental barrier was decimated. In around 3 years from the time Roger Bannister first ran a sub-4 minute mile, 16 runners did so as well, even though no others had accomplished this feat during the previous century. This substantiates that the speed barrier was only secondary to the mind barrier. Once Roger Bannister changed the expectation of possibilities through the achievement of his high goal, the entire paradigm through which the other runners viewed the world changed accordingly. He changed their potential by shattering their mental barriers.

Mental Boundaries Are Rooted in a Negative Sense of Worth
Too many people die with their music still in them. Steven Covey argues that we all desire to “live, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy.” However, it is hard to achieve something substantively meaningful when you feel miserable and unaccomplished. Likewise, developing a positive self worth is part of the basis for making deposits of success in OTHER areas of your life (health, spiritual, mental, etc) if you are out of a job. That way, your measure of success and failure won’t be wholly-defined by your job situation.

I recently became aware of Sylvester Stallone’s powerful story. Early on, he found it difficult to realize his dream of becoming an actor/writer. After watching a boxing match between Mohammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, he became inspired to write the script for Rocky. He then took his script to producers; they loved the idea but were not pleased that he wanted to be the lead actor in his own star vehicle. They even offered him $325,000 for the script only. This would translate into an inflation-adjusted $1.3 million in today’s dollars. Stallone turned it down, adamant that he should star in the film. Eventually, they acquiesced to his demand at the risk of losing the script, and he was paid $35,000 to star in Rocky. Now, films that he has starred in have grossed upward of $2.6 billion worldwide, earning him both critical and commercial acclaim. He clearly made the best decision. However, suppose he had bought into the producers’ assessment of his value rather than adhering to his own sense of his worth?

A real danger of having a negative sense of worth is that you never know when you are going to get a chance to do the extraordinary. If you don’t feel worthy of the opportunity, then it is hard to capitalize on it.

Winston Churchill said “to every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour.”

Closing Thoughts
I hope you are convinced that it is not within your best interest to blindly accept mental barriers to your success. While such justifications may keep you comfortable, your reward is often in the discomfort. Don’t allow yourself to be robbed of victory due to false beliefs of who you are, what you can do, and where you can go. You possess the power to eliminate so many shackles and solve problems that enrich the world. Break free of your chains today!

Check out this list to see if you are being deceived by your own mind! I'd be willing to bet that you have been.

1. I'd be happier if I just had less to do
   Our minds often try to trick us into thinking we'd be happier if we didn't have to work. We imagine a life of leisure and deceive ourselves into thinking this kind of lifestyle would make us happy. However, the truth is that idleness often leads to boredom and depression. We are industrious, creative beings. We need challenge and accomplishment to be happy. Get up and invest yourself into something significant and you will find that your happiness factor will rise!
   


2. It's not me, it's you
   Many times our minds lead us to believe we are unhappy due to our spouse, parents or some other person in our lives. We throw blame around like food in a middle school cafeteria. Of course, it takes two to tango. As Dr. Phil asks, "How's that workin' for ya?" Generally, we are as much, if not more, to blame than others in our lives. We need to accept responsibility for our situation and do our part to make the best of it. Taking personal responsibility for our actions is the beginning of true happiness.


3. I just need to discover the secret to success to be happy
   I am convinced that there are no "secrets" to happiness or success. As much as authors, publishers and our own minds would like to convince us that shortcuts exist, they do not. Living a successful life is pretty simple. You create a vision for the future, formulate a strategy and then work hard to achieve it. There are no shortcuts or secrets to this formula. Accepting this will get you much further down the path to happiness than anything else.
   


4. If I just had...
   Our minds deceive us into thinking we'll be happy when we get the right job or the right house or the right car or whatever. There is nothing wrong with wanting better things or circumstances, but these do not automatically make us happy. They may create a temporary high, but this quickly wears off. Those wanting a lasting happiness must acknowledge that this is a bottomless pit that we can never fill.


5. I like things just the way they are and never want them to change
   Believing this is just letting yourself be set up for a fall. Life is a journey of constant change. Some of which we control and some we don't. Resisting change or trying to control the change out of life is self-defeating. It will drain you and rob you of your happiness. Change is inevitable. You must accept this and learn to go with the flow. Being adaptable is very important to your happiness.
   


6. If it hasn't happened yet for me, it never will
   Our minds often get discouraged and disillusioned when success is just around the corner for us. Colonel Sanders didn't start franchising his KFC restaurants until he was 65, forty years after he started serving chicken at his service station. Perseverance is very important in achieving happiness. Never let your mind trick you into giving up. You don't know what tomorrow holds. One more day may be all it will take to realize your dream!


7. I'll just avoid the things I don't like doing
   It is usually the difficult tasks that our minds try to trick us into avoiding. Unfortunately, these are oftentimes the very things that would result in the greatest rewards for us. What do you put off doing? Why? Procrastination and avoidance of completing important tasks or resolving nagging issues only delays your march to happiness. Attack these head-on and you will find a deep sense of gratification that will fuel your happiness.
   


8. The world is scary and something bad might happen to me
   Our minds tell us there are a lot of things beyond our control. For instance, the way that crime and terror is sensationalized on television might lead us to think that bad guys are lurking around every corner waiting to do dastardly deeds to us. However, crime rates have actually fallen in recent years. According to FBI statistics, violent crime is lower now than it was 20 years ago! Fear is a powerful emotion our brains use to get the better of us. We must seek and trust the facts to break free and be happy!


9. I'll decide when I know for sure what to do
   Over-thinking every decision will leave you stymied. Weighing the risks, analyzing the possibilities and making a plan are important, but nothing ever happens until a decision is made and action is taken. We very rarely have perfect information when making choices. Stop sweating it so much! Failure is not the end of the world. Napoleon Hill writes, "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." Don't let your mind trap you into over-analyzing everything!


10. I know I shouldn't , but
    Our minds try to trick us into denying the effects of our bad habits and rationalizing our behavior with flimsy excuses. This seems especially common with health issues. For example, have you heard someone say, "I know I shouldn't smoke, but it helps me keep the weight off." Or, how about, "I know I shouldn't eat this, but life just isn't worth living if I can't enjoy it." A major health issue like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes will certainly challenge your happiness. Don't let your mind get away with this trick!


11. Dreams only come true for those that are lucky
    Thomas Jefferson said, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Our minds will sometimes trick us into thinking we are victims of fate. They will lead us to believe "nothing good ever happens to me". What our brains credit as the luck of others, generally is the result of years of practice, hard work and preparation. Pursue your dream with your whole heart and you might be surprised at the "luck" that comes your way.


12. I could never
    Our brains often trick us into thinking we can't. For example, have you heard, "I could never go back to school. I don't have the money." or "I can't learn to do that. I'm too old." Don't fall for this trick! Your mind is very persuasive in the way it uses this one. It will lead you around like a dog on a leash if you let it. You are full of potential and although your circumstances might add a degree of difficulty, it is nothing that a little persistence and ingenuity can't overcome. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."
    Don't let these tricks steal your happiness!

See how our minds play tricks on us? If you identified with one or more of the cons on this list, don't despair! The truth will set you free! You now have the power to overcome these deceptions because you can see right through them. Enjoy your new found happiness!

1. Labeling
   Our minds are so used to labeling people, things, and experiences all around us that we don't even notice that it's happening.
   
   When you see someone who is a certain way, you have labels for that, and it evokes certain feelings and sometimes behaviors in you that aren't always desirable.
   
   You may sit in nature enjoying the wind, as you look at all the beautiful things, and feel what it feels like to just be there.
   
   If you do this and try to label everything, looking at a tree, making an intellectual exercise of the whole thing, you probably won't feel as good as you could being in the now.


2. Mind-Reading
   This is a big one, and one that often destroys relationships. A great example of mind reading is if you look at a friend or your significant other, and guess how they're feeling and thinking.
   
   You don't really know how they are feeling and what is going on inside of them. You think you know; but you really do not.
   
   The reason this isn't a problem at the beginning of a relationship is because you don't know anything about the person, so you don't know enough to make these assumptions.
   
   Be very aware when you're trying to mind read people, because it usually doesn't end well, unless you are psychic.


3. Guilt Tripping
   Guilt tripping basically refers to when you try to manipulate someone by making them feel guilty or any other way.
   
   A lot of people do this, because they don't know any other way to get people to do what they want to do. They don't realize that they can just tell people what they are going to do, and let other people decide for themselves.
   
   If you find yourself making others feel guilty, stop, and consider what you're doing. Imagine doing what you're doing for the next 10 or even 20 years in the future.
   
   What kind of impact will it have on your relationships?
   
   How will it affect how you will be feeling inside?


4. Predicting Catastrophe
   This is a big one.
   
   How often have you found yourself imagining the worst possible outcome just because you had something not go your way? If you’re like me, it happens more than you’d care to admit, and it doesn’t make you feel good, does it?
   
   It's not always easy to get out of the pattern if you've been doing this for a long time. It has been ingrained in you, but just having the awareness of what you're doing can help you let it go. There are a lot of healing modalities out there that are extremely effective in helping you let go patterns that are no longer helping you, such as NLP and EFT.
   
   The same applies to the people you spend time with. You may know someone who always notices the worst in everything.
   
   You tell them your grand plans and dreams, but they only tell you why you won't be able to do it, and why you shouldn't even try.
   
   If you notice yourself doing this to anyone, just let it go, because it's not worth the energy. It just makes you feel bad, and makes other people avoid you.


5. Turning Processes Into Things
   Turning processes into things happens largely because of how we use language, and it’s effective, but the problems begin when it keeps you stuck. For example, someone might say that they have trouble with their relationship, and it feels like this huge problem.
   
   Sound familiar?
   
   What they forget to become aware of is that a relationship is the process of relating to another human being, so the question isn’t how you can fix it. The question becomes how you’re relating to this other person that you don’t like, and how you want to begin changing it.
   
   Do you notice how it frees up the energy and makes it feel lighter? That is the amazing power of the language we use and your mind. We are dynamic beings, so if you feel stuck, remember that it’s not that you are literally stuck, it’s the way you are keeping yourself in the feeling of stuckness.

Now It’s Your Turn! What kind of mental mistake(s) have you bumped into in your daily life, and how did you solve it (if you did)? I’m curious to know, so share in the comments below!

I call it work as “effortless creation.” The idea is simple. Think about times when you’ve done your best work. Think about when and where you came up with your most innovative ideas. My guess is that it didn’t happen while staring into your computer at the end of a 12-hour workday.

Our most creative ideas come in unexpected moments. You might be in the shower, on a walk, or driving when that brilliant new idea hits you. In these moments, creation is effortless. There’s no strain, no effort, no real work. You can do in a matter of hours or even minutes what it might take weeks to do through “hard work.”

So the key question is: how can we experience more moments of “effortless creation”? Since they come unannounced, these moments can’t be planned or forced. But here are a few things you can do to make their appearance more likely:

• Stop Working Hard
  I realize this sounds crazy. But, if you spend your days working too hard, you drain yourself of creative energy. When this happens, a number of problems emerge. The first is that you become easily overwhelmed and exhausted. This leaves you without the energy and enthusiasm to pursue innovative new ideas. The second is that you become lost in the details of your work. After ten hours spent working on a report, book chapter, or project, you lose your ability to see the big picture. Take a break and refresh your mind occasionally each day.
  


• Do Nothing
  This may also sound crazy. But, some of the latest discoveries in the field of neuroscience show that when we experience states like boredom, the brain shifts to a “default state.” In this state, our perception changes. Time slows down, we daydream more, and, most important, we open ourselves to new and more creative ways of thinking. This doesn’t mean that you should sit on your couch all day. But you might plan short periods for walking alone, sitting outside, or meditating to give yourself space for creative ideas to emerge.
  


• Slow Down
  Pace has a huge impact on the chances of creative moments arising. Our tendency is to go fast. We drive fast, rush through meals, and prize the idea of efficiency in the workplace. But the faster you go, the more you enter into the mental state of “hard work.” All this rush drowns out creative new solutions and ideas playing in the sub-conscious background. So one of the best ways to tap into “effortless creation” is simply to slow down. Eat more slowly, write more slowly, and email more slowly. The more you slow down the flow of life, the more you open yourself to unexpected new ideas and insights.
  


• Record Your Genius
  When your next great idea comes, go all out. Remember that you are experiencing a special state of consciousness. So allow yourself to follow the flow of inspiration. Write down everything that comes to mind. Be sure to capture the contents of your mind in this altered state of effortless creation. In a day, or even an hour, it may be gone.

These are just a few ways to shift from “hard work” to “effortless creation.” Ultimately, the goal is to use these practices to work less and create more.

I’m curious to hear more about your experience. Have you experienced moments of genius and inspiration? What helps you open up to experiencing them more often?

Here are the two main dysfunctions of the must-remember-mind:

• It Scatters our Attention – When lost in these mental to-dos, we become less efficient. Rather than devoting sustained attention to our current task, our mental energy is lost in a cycle of worry about what we didn’t do or need to do.
  


• It Diminishes our Aliveness – The more we drop into the consciousness of the must-remember-mind, the more we distract ourselves from the experience of the present moment. If you’re walking through the woods and all you can think about is that email you forgot to write, you’re cut off from experiencing what’s here and now.

How do you break out of the must-remember-mind? How can you draw your attention away from endless mental to-dos to the experience of this moment?

The answer is – you need a second brain, a brain dedicated to holding on to all those emails, tasks, and calls you can’t stop thinking about.

Enter the to-do list. It’s a simple technology. But, if used properly, the to-do list works as an extension of consciousness. It allows us to outsource the worried thoughts of the must-remember-mind so that we can enjoy the experience of the present moment.

Here are three ways to maximize the benefits of this second brain:

1. Don’t go anywhere without a list
   Wherever you go, be sure you have some way of jotting down the thoughts of the must-remember-mind. You could go old school and slip a piece of paper into your pocket. Or you could go high tech and use the “Notes” app on your iPhone (I’m also a big fan of the “Voice Memo” feature).


2. Write out your to-dos as they arise
   You might not always be able to do this. You might be in the bathroom or swimming in the ocean when your next burning to-do comes to mind. But the sooner you off load your to-dos to your second brain, the sooner you can let go of the scattered thoughts of the must-remember-mind. So the next time a mental to-do arises, make a habit of jotting it down immediately. This 10-second detour can save you hours of worry.


3. Set aside a time for to-doing
   This final step is crucial. If you simply have a list but no set time to carry out the tasks on it, you’ll worry about when you’re ever going to get these things done. So I recommend blocking out an hour or two or three (whatever you need) each day dedicated to following through on your list. You’ll be more focused during these periods because you won’t waste any mental energy trying to figure out if you’re missing anything. You’ll also find that the list keeps you on task. Rather than getting lost on Facebook, your second brain will remind you of your next task.

If you master the to-do list, you will not only experience gains in productivity. You’ll also experience the present moment more deeply and fully.

When you’re with your child at the park or strolling through your neighborhood, you will no longer need to worry about that email you forgot to send. It’s on the list. Your second brain has you covered.

It’s such an unconscious pattern that many people hardly even notice it. They certainly don’t have to think about it. But it’s there, swirling around, causing all kinds of unspoken damage —things like stress, low self-confidence and fear of taking risks to name a few.

So why not hit the delete key on negative self-talk? Here’s how:

1. Open Your Ears
   How can you improve a situation if you aren’t quite sure what it is? Before you can remove the negative self-talk, you have to sit with it and hang out. Get to know it a bit and let it be heard.
   
   This isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright painful. But, while you can consciously ignore these voices, your subconscious is at their mercy. So it’s time to bring them to the surface.
   
   Sit down with a piece of paper and start the conversation. Invite the voices to take over. Make notes and don’t try to argue or reason or counter the horrible things you are hearing. Simply be with them.
   
   But here’s the key: Set a timer. No more than 10 minutes should be spent entertaining these voices. Once the timer goes off, stand up and shake it off. Don’t fall into the rabbit hole.
   
   Keep the paper with you over the next few days. Listen closely to your mental musings. Write down the common phrases that come up—the ones that dampen your spirits and discourage you. Note that sometimes they might sound like the voices of reason. But always be skeptical. “Sabotage” is often disguised as “logic”.
   


2. Reveal Limiting Beliefs
   Once you truly understand what you’re up against, it’s time to start peeling back the layers. What’s beneath this nonsense? Where did it come from?
   
   Sometimes, the source is easy to place. Some people say the voice is their father’s or grandmother’s or the voice of their third-grade teacher. But often it’s not so clear. All of your past experiences and mistakes just get rolled into a great big list of limiting beliefs—preconceived notions that keep you from moving forward in life. The beliefs are so strongly held that you actually treat them as facts. And these are the fodder for those nasty voices!
   
   Beneath every word of negative self-talk, there’s a limiting belief that blinds you to the reality of the world and tricks you into fear and doubt. Bring these beliefs into the light and do some analysis. Most won’t stand up to a critical eye.
   


3. Stop Accepting It
   The sad truth of the matter is that if we spoke to others the way we speak to ourselves, they’d probably accuse us of emotional abuse. Those awful, punishing words we throw in our own direction would simply be unacceptable if we hurled them at others. And, more than likely, we wouldn’t tolerate them coming our way from anyone else either. Yet, every day, we let them bounce around in our most sacred space—our mind—taking root and growing into complicated webs of negativity.
   
   It’s time to declare a boycott. Take a stand. Start a revolution in your head. This doesn’t have to be a big, overblown act of defiance. Simply recognize that the thought patterns you’ve been living with are no longer welcome. Evict them. “Nice to know you. Goodbye.”
   
   You may be tempted to skip this step but please don’t. Trust that there is unbelievable power in this recognition and in making the decision that something is no longer okay.
   


4. Affirm & Repeat
   The final step in this process is to develop a strategy for resistance. In the past, you’ve been complacent, letting the negative self-talk just happen. No more, my friend. From here on out, you’re going to implement some counter-measures.
   
   Since these voices are often so subtle as to go unnoticed, you need to create your own positive patterns of thought. The goal is to make these new statements just as unconscious as the current negative ones. And the best way to do that is through repetition.
   
   Create a list of four or five specific, short and simple affirmations. Try to keep them present as well, so instead of saying “I will…” say “I am…” For example:
   
   
   • I am capable of meeting this challenge.
   • I handle setbacks with grace and ease.
   • I have the strength to overcome obstacles and reach my goals.
   
   Repeat your personal affirmations as often as possible throughout the day. They are mantras that should become completely mindless over time. Whenever you notice a negative voice, push it out with your affirmation. While at first this may take conscious effort, eventually, it will become second nature.

When utilized consistently, these points will help slowly turn those voices in your head into more accepting, loving and encouraging allies. But beware that the negative ones will probably still hide in the corners, quietly waiting for the right moment to strike. So there’s never a point at which you can just tune out and consider your work done. Stay engaged. Keep working. And never let the inmates run the asylum.

1. Don't try and multitask; it can't be done.
   Our brains can only focus and concentrate on one thing at a time, this is a proven scientific fact. While you can most likely handle multiple menial tasks, anything that requires you to concentrate, reason, or decide deserves full focus.
   


2. Exercise your brain, not just your body.
   A lot of us leave learning behind when we leave school, college or university. Keep the brain fit by learning something new, whether it be a language, a new skill or musical instrument.
   


3. The world is a mystery.
   Use your brain to constantly ask questions and explore your surroundings. Continually exercise your brain by not accepting everything you see and hear: question it and free your sense of curiosity.


4. Use both hemispheres
   Use the left hemisphere of your brain to practice logical, mathematical problems in your life. Use the right hemisphere to unleash your creativity. You will know what side is dominant so make it a point to practice using your non dominant hemisphere.


5. Get to know your sleeping pattern.
   Your brain needs sleep as much as your body but everybody is different. I function on 5-6 hours you might work best on 8-9 hours.
   


6. Feed your brain decent information.
   Your brain is learning throughout the night, so give it something worthwhile to feed it. Our brain is not restoring energy whilst we are sleeping it is cutting out the noise and going over the days events and processing it; give it some great material to process.


7. If you want to learn more whilst studying, start pacing.
   If you are reading a book, start pacing. Movement gets the blood flowing and this helps oxygenate your brain. I walked my way through university and have taught my sons study walking to help them memorize information.


8. You've heard it before.
   Exercise is probably the number 1 way to increase the brains capabilities in every way possible, from memory to creativity. There's no getting around it, we all need to exercise.


9. Keep Social
   Staying socially active has been shown to keep your brain sharp well into old age.
   


10. Use the internet to keep your brain active.
    A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulated centers in the brain that controlled decision-making and complex reasoning.


11. Eat dark chocolate.
    Yes, eating dark chocolate has been shown to be beneficial for releasing an important brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine aids in learning and memory.


12. Learn a song.
    Learn the lyrics of some of your favorite songs to keep your listening skills and memory skills alive.


13. Watch brain stimulating movies.
    Movies that make you think (such as mysteries) help keep your brain and mind active.
    


14. Play video games
    This has been shown to increase cognitive abilities and can help fight Alzheimer's.


15. Practice doing things with your non-dominant hand.
    This stimulates the brain in many areas and also can be quite fun.


16. Use meditation as a way to alleviate your stress.
    There are thousands of studies about the beneficial effects of mediation and keeping your stress levels down is good for you. You lose brain cells the more stressed you feel, so controlling stress levels is important.


17. Laugh as often as possible.
    Laughing out loud boosts the immune system and releases endorphins, the bodies feel good chemicals.


18. Think positive.
    Thinking positively is a great way to keep your brain alive. Constant negative thinking depresses the mind and goes on to literally depress the immune system. Thinking more positive thoughts is a good way to keep stress down and spur you to take action for a better life.


19. Practice gratitude.
    Practicing gratitude can increase your happiness level significantly which helps to alleviate stress which helps your whole brain and body.


20. Sex
    Sex is another great way to keep your cardiovascular system healthy which means more oxygen to your brain which keeps the brain healthy.


21. Read a great book.
    No matter what type of books you read, they are all beneficial in keeping your brain healthy and active and ward off the aging process.


22. Drink less alcohol.
    Alcohol in moderation can actually be good for the brain, however too much alcohol can kill brain cells and your ability to be able to think and reason effectively.


23. Working.
    A lot of people look forward to giving up work as we get older, however, working even in a part time job can keep the mind active. If you are retired you can do volunteer work to keep you active.


24. Keep up to date with current events and news.
    Keeping your brain fit is about feeding your mind with new information. Watching current affairs programs can help with this so long as they don't stress you out.
    


25. Listen to music.
    Listening to music that you wouldn't normally listen to is another good way to keep your brain active. Music has the ability to release positive emotions in you.


26. Dance.
    Dancing is a great all around for both mind and body. Learning s a new dance helps your cognitive skills, your spatial awareness, your social skills, your motor skills and helps keeps your body healthy.


27. Throw a ball.
    Throwing and catching a ball is great for sensory-guided movement. It can improve your brain’s visual, tactile and hand-eye coordination responses and keep them sharp well into old age.


28. Eat well.
    Eating certain types of food can really be beneficial to your brains chemistry. Avoid fatty foods and eat more vegetables and fruit. This is sound advice for brain and body.


29. Drink plenty of water.
    Drinking water helps the cells function properly and keeps you feeling hydrated from the inside out.


30. Have a cup of tea.
    Drinking tea, hot or cold, can stimulate your brain in many ways. Tea contains caffeine which can be good for you if drunk in moderation.


31. Take a trip.
    Have you always fancies traveling well it has been shown that traveling really does broaden your horizons.


32. Use your debating skills.
    Having friendly debates with friends and family can improve your logical, thinking, reasoning and creativity skills.


33. Sleep a little longer.
    Sleeping an extra few hours every now and again is good for rejuvenating your brain and help you learn faster.
    


34. Take naps.
    Taking a nap throughout the day can help keep you from feeling tired and help stave off 'brain fog'. A ten minute nap will do to help you function throughout the day.


35. Turn down the TV.
    If you watch a lot of TV turn it down to hone your listening and concentration skills.


36. Break the cycle.
    If you tend to do the same thing day in day out, try and break the pattern of your activities. Your brain relies on doing something different to keep it active, break your normal routine to do this.


37. Learn a new word.
    Learning anything new will help keep your brain healthy. Learning a new word each day is a simple way to accomplish this.
    


38. Look at old photographs.
    This is a great way to keep your memories alive and to strengthen cell connections within the brain.


39. Do something outrageous.
    Doing things we would normally never do like a bungee jump, a parachute jump, hill climbing, a helicopter ride, etc., will keep your brain alive, literally.


40. Train your brain.
    The 'cogni-fit' industry is huge and is growing every year and for good reason. Start playing some of these 'cogni-fit' games to keep your brain healthy and active.


41. Take supplements.
    Supplements like omega-3, folic acid with vitamin B-12, CoEnzyme Q10, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and an all round strong multi-vitamin supplement, has been shown to slow down the aging process. Check with your doctor before taking supplements.


42. Mindfulness.
    A simple mindfulness exercise is to just sit and relax and pay attention to your breathing. This helps to promote relaxation, keep your mind focused, helps with concentration and does the body a world of good.


43. Develop critical thinking skills.
    Critical thinking involves you asking questions of yourself and the world around and looking for evidence of your assumptions.


44. Become a philosopher.
    Not literally, but start thinking about the bigger questions in life. This develops your brain on many levels. More than likely you will never come up with a definitive answer to the big questions but it keeps your brain and mind active.


45. Make your own affirmations.
    Affirmations are a great way to keep your mind focused on your life goals. When you use affirmations you are also using your imagination, and activating other regions in your brain which can help with memory, creativity and even releasing feel good chemicals.


46. Thinking outside the box.
    I always thought this was a strange saying as you cannot really think outside the box when you are always living inside the box of knowledge. However over the years I have come to realize it really means thinking without using your reasoning skills to look for alternatives and it can be a great way to keep your mind active.


47. Sing out loud.
    Singing is a great way to help you focus and get rid of stress. People who sing out loud feel happier as they are not internalizing thoughts but focusing on an ext renal action, their voice. It also aids memory.

Scientists now know that our brains continuously make new neurons throughout our lives and it does this in response to the what we do in our lives. Neurons are important for transmitting and making connections with other cells. If we lose the neurons, we lose the power to think properly, to use our creativity, to learn, to memorize effectively, basically our brains slowly die. Exercise and brain stimulation is one of the best ways to keep making these new neurons. Using some of the examples above you will keep your brain healthy and active for years to come.