Neuroplasticity and How to Actually Change the Structure of Our Brains
There was a time when our understanding of that most complex of things – the human brain – was rather limited. We believed that the capacity of the human brain peaked during the late teens or the twenties and that it was basically all downhill from there on. We now know better. I for one am convinced that I am smarter, more perceptive and have better mental acuity than when I was a callow youth. My experiences shaped me and improved me. This is just what I discussed recently with James Garrett from brainbydesign.com – a hugely successful social startup. Catch the eye-opening conversation here.
Neuroplasticity and the psychology of success.
James deals with the science behind what makes people thrive – the psychology of success. His program Productive by Design consists of evidence based tools that help organizations and individuals increase creativity, productivity and joy. In the course of our conversation, we spoke about new research into neuroplasticity, and how we are discovering ways in which our brain is malleable; how it changes and adapts. We now know that what we thought of as hardwired and unchangeable could actually be altered and improved in very deliberate ways.
As James and I discuss, the brain is actually capable of responding to new sensory experiences and stimulation and has the ability to change and correct dysfunction. For instance, James speaks of hope as an action oriented word, something that is capable of bringing about actual change and not just wishful thinking. He gives us a simple example of the way in which it is possible to change that so-called hardwiring of the brain. People who think of themselves as introverted can change into more extroverted personalities if they wish to, by the simple expedient of socializing more. So it isn’t so much that extroverts socialize more; it is more that one becomes extroverted by virtue of socializing a lot!
Things that hold us back.
It is fascinating that we are still so fearful despite the fact that our environments today are the safest they have ever been. Our fears now are social fears – fears of rejection, shame and so on. It is this that holds us back from doing something new, and even making decisions that carry the least bit of risk. In our brains, familiarity equals safety, which is why so many people continue to remain in abusive relationships.
James speaks about his Deep Change Project where he has set himself the goal of overcoming his own fears. Its aim isn’t to try to banish fear or to never ever feel it; rather the aim is to transform fear into a catalyst for action rather than something that is paralyzing and constricts possibilities. He speaks of the Extinction Therapy that is used to help people with certain phobias, that uses a graduated method for reducing fears. James speaks of a scaffolded therapy setting where one is introduced to uncomfortable situations in small ways to gradually overcome fears. We also spoke about other modalities about overcoming fear such as Jia Jiang and the 100 days rejection challenge.
Don’t miss this fascinating podcast where James Garrett explains the psychology of success and how fear hampers this, and how it doesn’t have to be so. If you believe you can change your life, you can! Listen in – it will be the most rewarding time you spend today.
