10 Tactics For Increasing Your Mental Ability

No idea what to do with your lfe ? Start by getting your mind going first. Scientific research shows that exercising your brain keeps your mind from stagnating and creates the "cognitive reserve" you need when facing major changes. Fill the gap created by your productivity exhaustion and get back your motivation and creativity. Try these 10 tactics for increasing your mental ability.

Reconnect with the child inside. Play with food ! Be silly !
(Created by myself with my 10-year old daughter)
As mentioned in the previous post, when you are unable to figure out the action you need to take, don't waste your time going around and around in your head. Instead of misusing your brain, train your mind to think outside the box.

Brainstorm with yourself.
Make a list : write the first word that comes to your mind, then add 20-30 other words that come to mind. Read each word and write two things about it. As you do this, ideas will start flowing.

Have a conversation with your brain.
Let your mind flow then write down one of your random thoughts. Challenge an element of the thought with the question "What do I mean by this ?" Write down the answer. Challenge an element of the answer with the same question. Repeat this Q&A for 10 minutes, next day for 15 minutes, until you get into the habit of having a half an hour conversation with your brain every day.

Use both hemispheres.
Find out which hemisphere of your brain you use most. Take this Hemispheric Dominance test for instance (a brief explanation of the questions here). As you know, right-brain persons process from whole to parts, while left-brain persons process from parts to whole. For the first, the process is random and intuitive, for the second, it is linear and logical.

Tone your left hemisphere by practicing mathematical problems, word puzzles, learning a new language… Tone your right hemisphere by reading maps, creating metaphors, painting or drawing your thoughts instead of writing them down, etc.

And also :

• Practice mindfulness.
• Break the pattern of your activities.
• Mix prose and poetry in your readings (and writings).
• Do something you've never done before.
• Go somewhere inspiring.
• Make time to play cards, video games, chess, Scrabble, any game.

Above all :

Reconnect with the child inside.
Play with food, jump rope, finger paint, read children's stories… and be SILLY ! Ridiculous "what if" scenarios are actually a powerful tool for learning to think "outside the box". And, who knows ? One of those "what ifs" could prove to be a life changing idea !

These are just some of the ways you can take to maintain and increase your mental ability. Tell us about your tacttics to think outside the box.

Next : Move Into Your Authentic Self.

Back to : No Idea What To Do With Your Life ? Rejuvenate Your Brain.

Read more :
Boost Your Productivity With Hemingway's Hack.
Kick Start Your Creative Thinking.
Let Your Mistakes Be Part Of Your Style.