What the F*^K is Neuroplasticity, Bro?

The human brain is magnificent (yes, even yours!) — one of my favorite mechanisms of the brain is Neuroplasticity. The brain is constantly rewiring and creating new connections while we live our lives. Daily Inputs and Consumption Habits determine the quality of these wires.

• People who consume meaningful, wholesome, and healthy things will have brains that are wired for positivity, harmony, and understanding.

• People who consume meaningless, inauthentic, and unhealthy things will have brains that are wired for negativity, chaos, and hate.

• People who spend time in nature, with loved ones, and participating in exercise tend to have higher quality wires and ability to build new connections. On the other hand, people who primarily spend time on their screens, away from humans, and sedentary lifestyles tend to have lower quality wires.

Zoom out and take a look around. What do you see and how does your brain interpret it? Our brains need our help in the process of Neuroplasticity — we cannot be bystanders as the brain is attacked from multiple sources of distraction.

The world doesn’t care if you build shitty connections with shitty wires, but I do. Do you care about your own wires? You Should!!!

ACTION STEP:

Take 15-20 minutes and reflect on your consumption habits and patterns. Here are the questions I ask myself when I’m reflecting:

• Am I eating clean food or dirty food? Am I drinking enough water? Am I drinking too much caffeine or alcohol?

• Am I moving my body consistently? Am I getting enough sleep? Is my home organized and clean?

• Am I spending time doing what I love? Am I connecting with other humans? Am I spending time working on my mindfulness?

• Am I learning new skills? Am I reading for 30 minutes a day? Am I spending time in nature?

• What does my screen time look like? What kind of content am I consuming on social media — is it good or negative for my future self and his goals? Am I distracted by instant gratification or am I locked into delayed gratification?

After you answer these questions and some of your own, create an action plan. Keep it simple by setting a weekly goal so you can track your data and make changes quicker. I like keeping my action plan to 3-4 things so I don’t get overwhelmed.

Sample Action Plan for PDAWG:

• No eating out this week. I got food at home that is cleaner and more helpful in pursuit of my goals.

• Train in the AM and walk the dog for 30 minutes daily + get my tired butt to bed at 9:30-10pm everyday.

• Screen time has been up lately — no need to panic, just adhere to my ideal lifestyle rules and put the phone in the other room while I focus on my work.

I encourage you to make your own reflection questions and action plans, and see what process works best for you. Remember, your brain is being pimped out by all these pixels and bright colors which results in shitty wiring. We need to prioritize better inputs and consumption habits to ensure our brains are wired for success and happiness.

Willingness to Look Stupid

One of the best ways to improve to have a willingness to look stupid and feel foolish. That is the quickest path towards mastery of any interest or domain. The ability to ask questions is imperative in gaining wisdom and knowledge.

Have no fear about asking stupid questions — it is okay to be uncomfortable and feel like a fool rather than feel the pain of avoidable mistakes. Be willing to tinker around with a topic or interest, flip it upside down, and really explore it while you ask questions to those who have expertise. Lucky for us — we have the Google search capability, so we don’t even have to feel so stupid all the time.

I’ve spent most of my life asking questions because I am curious about what makes people people and how reality is reality. When I ask someone a question, I try to come from a place of genuine interest rather than reaffirming my biases.

At the end of the day, just remind yourself that you don’t know everything about everything. Nor would that be wise, because that would take away from the things you truly care about. Leverage the tools of modern technology and explore your curiosities.

Top 5 Google Searches from Paril

1. Why does my dog keep staring at me?

2. Do dolphins have conscious awareness?

3. How to stop rambling

4. Naval Ravikant reading list

5. How to use 11% of my brain

Until next time, have a sensational week!

Paril