POWER OF BRAIN

BECOMING A DEEP THINKER

2010-02-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

If you want to be a deep thinker you have to get in the habit of asking deep questions. Ask them about everything. But how can we say if one question is "deeper" than another? A couple examples will help make that clear.
Suppose someone has extremely offensive opinions and likes to share them whether or not anyone asks him to. You might simply say, "What a rude person!" True perhaps, but this is shallow thinking. Deeper thinking asks why he believes what he does. Deeper still are the questions of how people form their opinions and why they feel the need to tell them to others.
A deep thinker looks beyond the immediate questions raised, and anyone can learn to do that. Identifying the more fundamental issues is not all that difficult, it's just not always a habit. Suppose, for example, you notice that a person fails because he or she makes excuses for his or her behavior. You might think that's insightful, and it may be, but what about exploring why people feel the need to make excuses and lie to themselves? You can immediately see that the second is the deeper look.
There is a good rule for these things, and it's that the more profound questions are those which can produce ideas with wider application. Knowledge about a particular man's personality, for example, may be useful, but it's limited and shallow compared to knowing principles of psychology that apply to all or most people in the world. Questioning the practices of a particular business is not nearly as deep as trying to understand or formulate principles of success applicable to all business activity.
Here's another rule: When a question or idea is an example of another, the latter is a deeper subject. For example, we can ask at what temperature water freezes, what temperature range keeps it liquid and what is it's boiling point? These are useful scientific questions, but together they are an example of the more fundamental principle that substances have three temperature dependent forms (solid, liquid, gas).

A Child's Technique

Try to occasionally ask "why?" and then like a child ask it again and again after each answer given. "Why are people forced to pay income tax?" Because otherwise they wouldn't pay. "Why not?" People would rather spend their money on other things. "What are taxes spent on?" Things that serve the public good. "But who defines the public good?" Those who vote, through the representatives they elect. "But what if the public votes for evil things? Are they still considered a public good then?"
Ask such questions often enough throughout your day. Continue doing this and it will become a habit within a few weeks. It's making these "probing" thought patterns habitual that makes you a deep thinker. Have a notepad or something to remind yourself at first, or schedule "deep thinking" time on your calendar or daily planner.

Deep Thinkers Challenge Their Very Words

Don't take for granted the language which you and others use. For example, what do the words "national defense" really mean anyhow? Protecting the borders, or the government? Or perhaps the flag, honor, the people, or the rights of the people in the country? Each of these is a very different idea, and they are not always compatible, yet most of us take for granted that we all mean the same thing when we use the words, "national defense" as well as other common expressions.
Understanding the metaphorical nature of language is essential to growing our range of thought and expression of ideas. Referring to the "memory" of a computer makes it easier to understand and communicate the concept of digital information storage. But this use of metaphor can limit our thinking as well. Saying the sun "went down," is a small example. Intellectually we know the spinning of the Earth causes this apparent effect, but our language creates the impression that the sun goes away each night and "returns" later.
Really think about the fact that the sun never sets and all sorts of new ideas pop up. Why do solar panels only work part-time if the sun never sets? Put them in space orbit and they could beam electricity down to us using microwave transmission. Who knows, a "nightless farm" might someday fly around the Earth at a thousand miles-per-hour, growing vegetables in the 24 hours-per-day sunlight that is always there. Though these ideas may not be new, they occurred to me as I wrote this, but only after mentally questioning the idea implied in the expression "the sun went down."
Try hard to recognize the representative nature of language, to see that words are only meant to point at things in reality, and are not things by themselves. This may seem obvious, but it is forgotten in common discourse.

For example, if a man says corporations are evil, another will typically and immediately try to "prove" this idea wrong, rather than attempting to see what the first man is pointing at with the words he uses. The ancient puzzle called "Zeno's Paradox," proved that motion wasn't possible. The perfect logic with which it was demonstrated had some choosing to believe that motion really is an illusion. Centuries later, philosophers, mathematicians and physicists found acceptable challenges to the paradox - flaws in the argument in other words. The lesson here is that perfect logic can fail because language is imperfect, and if we are to more fully understand the world, we have to allow for this.
To be a deep thinker, then, ask more probing questions. Ask "why" more often. Finally, use words as the valuable but limited tools they are, but try not to let words use you.

5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Intelligence

2010-02-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to think and learn will deteriorate.

Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more productivity out of the old gray matter.

1. Minimize Television Watching – This is a hard sell. People love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more often than I’d like. The problem is watching television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health benefits of exercise.

Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.

When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax.

2. Exercise – I used to think that I’d learn more by not exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate more easily.

3. Read Challenging Books – Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.

Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.

4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise – Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.

If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.

5. Take Time to Reflect – Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.

I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.

Conclusion – I hope you aren’t disappointed that none of the techniques I’ve proposed are revolutionary. But simple, unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following these 5 tips, you’ll be rewarded with increased mental acuity and retention of knowledge.

70 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR BRAIN POWER

2010-02-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

You Want More Brainpower - Not Higher IQ Scores!

Okay, maybe you want higher IQ scores too. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Intelligence Quotient as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100."

Basically, it's a test of intelligence, with 100 as the average score. There are some problems with IQ tests however.

A recent IQ test asked which of four fruits was different. It was the one with more than one seed; but what if you were not familiar with these fruits? Obviously this test is culturally biased. You are assumed to have certain knowledge, yet you are being tested for intelligence, not knowledge.

Now look at these letters: "ANLDEGN." Rearrange them and you'll have the name of a(n): Ocean, Country, State, City or Animal. This is from an IQ test I took. Hmm... There are very few oceans, so I could eliminate those - but wait a second! That's a test taking technique. An intelligence test shouldn't be testing your test-taking ability. I'm bound to score higher than a person of equal intelligence who hasn't learned simple techniques for scoring higher on multiple - choice tests.

Real Life Results Versus Scores

Now let me ask you a question. What was Henry Fords IQ? Who cares! The man was one of the most innovative people of the last century, and he did what he did by surrounding himself with intelligent people.

That practice alone has to be worth more than 20 IQ points in terms of real life results.

Real life results are what you want, right? So if you want to be more creative, learn to use creative problem solving techniques. If you want to concentrate better, there are techniques for that. Learn to speed-read and you'll have double the knowledge in the same time. After you paint your first Mona Lisa, build your first skyscraper or make your first million, what will your IQ score be? Who cares!?

Okay, an imperfect test is better than no test at all, and it is entertaining. I just took an IQ test, and although I don't think my IQ is really the 138 it showed, it was fun. If you really want to, you can try a free IQ test on my website http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com. Of course you'll score higher on a good day than a bad day, so try these tips to make it a good IQ test day:

70 Ways to Better Brainpower -
(In no particular order.)

1. Breath deep. More air in means more oxygen in the blood and therefore in the brain. Breath through your nose and you'll notice that you use your diaphragm more, drawing air deeper into your lungs. Several deep breaths can also help to relax you, which is conducive to clearer thinking.

2. Meditate. A simple meditation you can do right now is just closing your eyes and paying attention to your breath. Tensing up your muscles and then relaxing them to start may help. When your mind wanders, just bring your attention back to your breath. Five or ten minutes of this will usually relax you, clear your mind, and leave you more ready for any mental task.

3. Sit up straight. Posture affects your thinking process. Prove it to yourself by doing math in your head while slouching, looking at the floor and letting your mouth hang open. Then do the mental math while sitting up straight, keeping your mouth closed and looking forward or slightly upwards. You'll notice that it's easier to think with the latter posture.

4. Phosphotidyl Serine (PS). This supplement has been shown in clinical studies to increase lucidity and rate of learning. It activates cell-to-cell communication, helps regulate cell growth, improves the functioning of the special receptors found on cells, and prepares cells for activity. In other words, it can help your brain power. It's also thought to reverse memory decline. Phosphatidylserine has no known adverse side effects.

5.Vinpocetine. This extract, derived from an alkaloid found in the Periwinkle plant, is used as a cerebral vasodilator. It increases blood flow to the brain, which improves its oxygenation and thereby increases mental alertness and acuity. Research suggests it may also be the most powerful memory enhancer available to date.

6. Gingko Biloba. The leaves of this tree have been proven to increase blood flow to the brain. The trees are often planted in parks. My friends and I used to eat a few leaves when we wanted a brain boost. It is also inexpensive, if you buy the capsules or tea at any health food store.

7. Saint John's Wort. This is a common weed that may be growing in your yard. Although it's brain enhancing qualities are less documented (studies do show it's usefulness for treating long-term depression), many people swear by it's temporary mood-elevating effect, and our brains tend to function better when we are happy. It is inexpensive, but I used to just collect it in the yard and make tea of it. (Hyperacum Perforatum, if you want to look it up by it's botanical name.)

8. Good thinking habits. Just use a problem solving technique for several weeks and it will become a habit. Redesign everything you see for a while, and that will become a habit. You can develop many good thinking habits with some effort, and then be more resourceful effortlessly from that point on. Use the power of habit.

9. Use dead time. This is time that is otherwise wasted or just under-utilized. Driving time, time spent in waiting rooms, or even time spent raking your yard can be included in this. With a tape player and a trip to a public library, you can start to use this time to listen to books-on-tape. You may spend 200 hours a year in your car. What could you learn in that time?

10. Learn a language. Learning a new language has been shown to halt the age-related decline in brain function. It also introduces your mind to new concepts and new ways of looking at things (in English we are afraid, whereas in Spanish we have fear). It is one of the best brain exercises.

11. Rosemary. This common herb may have an effect on the brain when the scent is inhaled. We are waiting for the research, but some people swear that just sniffing rosemary wakes up their brain. It seems safe, so if you have rosemary in your spice rack, give it a try.

12. Mindfulness exercises. Concentration and clear thinking are more or less automatic once you remove distractions. Learn to stop and watch your busy mind. As you notice things that are subtly bothering you, deal with them. This might mean making a phone call you need to make, or putting things on a list so you can forget them for now. With practice, this becomes easier, and your thinking becomes more powerful.

13. Write. Writing is good for your mind in a number of ways. It is a way to tell your memory what is important, so you'll recall things more easily in the future. It is a way to clarify your thinking. It is a way to exercise your creativity and analytical ability. Diaries, idea-journals, poetry, note-taking and story-writing are all ways to use writing to boost your brain power.

14. Listen to Mozart. In a study at the University of California, researchers found that children who studied piano and sang daily in chorus, were much better at solving puzzles, and when tested, scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the non-musical group. In another study, 36 students were given three spatial reasoning tests on a standard IQ test. Just before the first test, they listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes. Before the second test, they listened to a relaxation tape. Before the third, they sat in silence. The average scores for all 36 students: 1st test: 119. 2nd test: 111. 3rd test: 110. A nine-point boost from Mozart!

15. Develop your intuition. Intuition can be an important part of brainpower. Einstein and others have relied heavily on their intuitive hunches. See Chapter 25 for tips on how to develop your intuition.

16. Avoid foods that cause subtle allergies. These can include wheat, corn, peanuts and dairy products. Watch yourself to see if you have a problem with any of these. They cause digestive problems and brain fog in some people.

17. Sleep better. As long as you get a certain amount of sleep - probably a minimum of five hours - the quality seems to be more important than the quantity. Also, short naps in the afternoon seem to work well to recharge the brain for some people.

The Secrets of Powerful Sleep
Sleep LESS and have MORE energy by optimizing your sleep patterns in order to create an abundance of energy in your life. Learn more here...

18. Caffeine. The research shows higher test scores for students who drink coffee before major exams. My chess game gets better. In other studies, it has been shown that too much caffeine leads to poorer quality decisions. Caffeine affects individuals differently, and has some nasty long-term side effects for some of us, but short-term - it works!

19. Avoid sugar. Any simple carbohydrates can give you "brain fog." Sometimes called the "sugar blues" as well, this sluggish feeling makes it hard to think clearly. It results from the insulin rushing into the bloodstream to counteract the sugar rush. Avoid pasta, sugars, white bread and potato chips before any important mental tasks.

20. Hypnosis audios. The power of suggestion is real, and one way to use it is with hypnosis tapes, CD's or downloads. This type of brain "programing" has more evidence for it than subliminals.

21. Speed reading. Contrary to what many believe, your comprehension of material often goes up when you learn to speed-read. You get to learn a lot more in less time, and it is definitely a good brain exercise.

22. Exercise. Long term exercise can boost brainpower, which isn't surprising. Anything that affects physical health in a positive way probably helps the brain too. Recent research, though, shows that cognitive function is improved immediately after just ten minutes of aerobic exercise. If you need a brain recharge, you might want to walk up and down the stairs a few times.

23. Imaginary friends. Talking to and getting advice from characters in your mind can be a great way to access the information in your subconscious mind. Imagine a conversation with a person who has a lot of knowledge in the area you want advice in.

24. Develop your creativity. Creativity gives power to your thinking. Raw computation can be done by computers now, but humans provide the creative thought that shapes our world. See Chapter 24 for tips on developing your creativity.

25. Learn more efficiently. When you decide to learn something, take notes from the start. Leave each "learning session" with a question or two in mind, to create anticipation and curiosity. Take short breaks, so there will be more beginnings and endings to your studies (Things learned at the beginning or ending of a class or session are remembered better).

26. Use techniques for clear thinking. Cluttered rooms and offices can contribute to cluttered thinking. Organize a space for mental work. Sigh, stretch, and take a deep breath before you start on a tough mental job. Plan some distraction-free time for brainstorming.

27. Brain wave entrainment. The newest brain wave entrainment products are powerful tools for altering your brain function. Some will almost immediately relax you, while others will put your brain waves in a pattern that is most conducive to analytical thinking.

Free 15-minute Brainwave Entrainment Audio
Calm your mind, reduce your stress and boost your creativity automatically with this free MP3. Learn more here...

28. Creatine. This is a compound found in meat, used by athletes to help build muscle. Now the evidence is here to show that it helps your brain as well. Proceedings B , a journal published by the Royal Society reports that the research showed improvement in working memory and general intelligence resulting from creatine supplementation. The dose used in the study was 5 grams per day. This is about the level used to boost sports performance, and is as much as you'd normally get in four pounds of meat, according to lead researcher Dr. Caroline Rae.

29. Talk. Talking is only good for the brain if you are actually exercising it, of course. Try explaining something that you don't understand very well to a friend, though, and you'll notice that the process of explaining will help you clarify your understanding.

30. Do something you enjoy. This is a way to both lower stress and rev up your brain. The key is to do something active. Watching TV doesn't count. Whether it is playing Scrabble or building birdhouses, when you are actively engaged in an activity that you enjoy, you worry less about things and you start to think better.

31. Adjust your beliefs. Believe you are smarter, and you'll become smarter. For this, affirmations may work, but even better is evidence. Make a note of your successes. Tell yourself, "Hey, that was really creative," when you do something creative. When you have a good idea, make a note of it. Gather the evidence for your own intelligence and you'll start to experience more of it.

32. Brain exercises. Do math in your mind while driving. Think of a new use for everything you see. Regular use of the brain has been shown to generate new neuronal growth, and even halt the decline of mental function that often comes with age.

33. Learn new things. This is another way to exercise the brain. It can also be done with little time investment if you use books-on-tapes while driving.

34. Walk. Exercise has been shown to benefit the brain, and walking is one of the best exercises for many. It is low impact, and the rhythmic nature of it seems to put you in a state that is very conducive to clear thinking. In fact, carry a tape recorder with you to take notes, and a twenty minute walk can be a great way to solve problems.

35. Model others. Find others that are creative, intelligent, or very productive. Do what they do, and think what they think. This is a key principle of neuro-linguistic programming. Be careful about taking their advice, though. Successful people often don't really understand why they are successful. Do what they do, not what they say.

36. Eat fish. Eating fish actually speeds up brain waves, and improves concentration. Researchers have also found an almost perfect correlation between intake of fish and lowered levels of depression in the various countries of the world. The U.S. has 24 times the incidence of depression as Japan, for example, where fish intake is much higher.

37. Avoid unnecessary arguments. When you defend a position too vigorously, especially when it is just to "win" the argument, you invest our ego into it. This is not conducive to the easy acceptance and use of new information. In other words, you put your mind in a rut, and you dig it deeper with each argument. Debate can be a valuable thing, but when the ego takes over, the mind closes a little. This is not a recipe for better thinking.

38. Laugh. The release of endorphins caused by laughter lowers stress levels, which is good for long term brain health. Laughter also tends to leave you more open to new ideas and thoughts.

39. Play. Stimulating the brain causes measurable changes in the structure of the brain. New connections are made and new brain cells are grown. Intellectual play, as well as any playing that involves hand-eye coordination stimulates the brain.

40. Do puzzles. Crossword puzzles, lateral thinking puzzles, and even good riddles are a great way to get brain exercise. You can work on them while waiting for a dentist appointment, or on the bus, if you are short on time.

41. Sing. When you are alone in your car, try singing about something you are working on. This taps into and exercises your right brain. Have you ever noticed how it is easier to rhyme when you sing than when you just speak or write? This is because the right brain is better at pattern recognition. By doing this brain exercise regularly you can train yourself to tap into the power of the right brain. This will make you a more effective problem-solver. If you doubt the distinction between the hemispheres of the brain, look at how stutterers can stop stuttering as soon as they start singing. Try it.

42. Nuts. University students in Brazil and other South American countries often eat several Brazil nuts before an exam, believing they are good for their mental power. The evidence is starting to confirm this. Other nuts that have minerals and amino acids that are beneficial to the brain include almonds and walnuts.

43. Olive oil. High in mono-unsaturated fat, olive oil has been shown to improve memory. A cheaper alternative is canola oil, but this hasn't been studied much yet.

44. Vitamin supplements. In studies, children scored higher on tests when on a regimen of daily vitamin supplements. "Experts" will tell you that if you eat a balanced diet, you don't need supplements, which, given the culture here, is really just a sales pitch for vitamins, isn't it? Who eats a perfectly balanced diet?

45. Fiber. It isn't just what goes in, but what comes out that is important to brain function. Toxic build-up in the body and brain can cause "brain fog." People often report clearer thinking as one of the benefits of curing their constipation.

46. Self awareness. This may not seem important to brain power, but it is. When you know yourself better, you can avoid the usual effects of ego and emotion in your seemingly "rational" thinking. Or you can at least take it into account. Watch yourself, especially as you explain things or argue.

47. Motivate yourself. Motivation is as important to mental tasks as it is to any other. Learn a few simple techniques for self motivation. You can start with those in Chapter 8.

48. Avoid too much stress. Neuropsychiastrist Richard Restak, M.D., form the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services, sums up the research thus: "Stress causes brain damage." Long term stress has repeated been shown to hurt the brain, not to mention the rest of the body. Learn a few stress reduction techniques if you get stressed out often.

49. Get educated. Scientists have known for a while that the less educated get alzheimer's more frequently. Education in any area seems to make the brain stronger.

50. Avoid too much fat. In laboratory studies, animals consistently learn slower when they are on a diet high in fat. Type of fat may make a difference, so you may want to stick to using olive oil and other non-saturated fats. Saturated fats have been shown to actually stunt the growth of brain cells.

51. Eat less. Overeating has the immediate effect of redirecting more blood to the digestive process, leaving less for the brain. Long term, it can cause arterial obstructions that reduce blood flow to the brain permanently. In at least one study, rats on a restricted-calorie diet had more brainpower.

52. Avoid suspect foods. There is evidence that the following foods can be bad for your brain: Artificial food colorings, artificial sweeteners, colas, corn syrup, frostings, high-sugar drinks, hydrogenated fats, sugars, white bread, and any white-flour products.

53. Eat breakfast. When kids who didn't eat breakfast started to eat it, researchers found that their math scores went up a whole grade on average.

54. Avoid diabetes. The development of diabetes coincides with a dropping of IQ scores. In other words, if you want to maintain your brain power, follow your doctors dietary recommendations for preventing or treating diabetes.

55. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect all your cells, including brain cells. Some of the foods highest in antioxidants include: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, kale, cranberries, strawberries, spinach, and raspberries. In one test, rats had age-related mental decline reversed by eating the equivalent of a 1/2 cup of blueberries per day.

56. Drink wine. In moderation, red wine can be good for the brain, it seems. It is rich in antioxidants, which protect brain cells. One glass per day for women and two for men is usually considered a safe and moderate amount.

57. Use alcohol in moderation. In a study at the University of Indiana School of Medicine, elderly light drinkers (fewer than 4 drinks per week) scored higher on tests of thinking abilities than non-drinkers. Those who drank 10 or more drinks per week scored lower. It is known that alcohol can kill brain cells, so moderation seems to be the key.

58. Folic acid. According to one study, 200 micrograms of folic acid, the amount found in 3/4 cup of cooked spinach, alleviates depression and reverses memory loss.

59. Potential brain foods. Other foods that may be good for your brain include: Avocados, bananas, lean beef, brewer's yeast. broccoli, brown rice, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, cheese, chicken, collard greens, eggs, flaxseed oil, legumes, oatmeal, oranges, peanut butter, peas, potatoes, romaine lettuce, salmon, soybeans, spinach, tuna, turkey, wheat germ, and yogurt.

60. Vitamin E. Jean Carper, in researching her book, "Your Miracle Brain," found that many brain researchers are taking 400 I.U.s of vitamin E daily. It is an antioxidant, and reduces the clogging of blood vessels, including those going in the brain.

61. Vitamin C. Taken in the form of orange juice in a study at the Texas Women's University, vitamin C increased the IQ scores of children.

62. Selenium. 100 micrograms of selenium has been shown to be a mood-elevator. Your brain almost certainly functions better when you are in a better mood. Foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts and garlic.

63. Alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid (10 to 50 milligrams daily) improves memory and protects nerve cells.

64. Inositol. This is a safe and natural substance that is often grouped with the B-vitamins. It reduces stress and promotes clear thinking. It contributes to energy production, and so can "wake you up." Animal studies show a measurable increase in physical activity for up to five hours after taking it.

65. Huperzine A. This is a compound extracted from the Chinese club moss. Researchers both in Israel and the U.S. have used it to treat alzheimer's. It improves memory and learning an seems to be very safe.

66. Ask questions. This is a great way to keep your brain in shape. Just get in the habit of asking questions often, even if it is only in your own mind. Why are taller buildings better? what is the purpose of curbs? Ask anything that comes to mind, and ponder the possible answers.

67. Sniff basil. This another of the herbs that may be good for your brain. No studies yet, but many report a brain boost from smelling basil.

68. Temperature. Many people have noted that they think better at certain temperatures. In general, it seems that being slightly cool, but not uncomfortable, is most conducive to good thinking. Try experimenting on yourself to see what temperature works best for you.

69. Use systems. From the time I was ten years old, 12 x 49 was always (12 x 50) - 12. It's easier to figure in your head this way (588, by the way). I didn't get any credit for my personal algorithms then, but they are selling these shortcuts on late-night TV now, because they work. You can find your own easier ways to do mental math or other mental tasks, or read a good book on them.

70. Make a brainpower plan. It takes about twenty to thirty days of repetition to establish new habits, many psychologists will tell you. This means that when you create your plan for better brainpower, be sure you plan to use that new problem solving technique, or eat those new brain foods for at least three weeks. You can use many of the brain boosters here and get immediate results, but it is creating new habits that will give you the most brainpower.

COURTESY:STEEV GILLMAN

SOME QUOTES

2009-12-28T04:52:00.000-08:00

- ...it doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how smart you are - if it doesn't agree with experiment it's wrong. - R.P. Feynman

- All too often we are stuffing the heads of the young with the products of earlier innovations rather than teaching them to be innovative. We treat their minds as storehouses to be filled rather than as instruments to be used. - Robert Finch

HOW TO MEDITATE : A SHORT LESSON

2009-12-28T04:49:00.000-08:00

It isn't very difficult to learn how to meditate. For beginners, a simple breath watching meditation is often recommended. An example is below. Then an even easier way follows that.

How To Meditate - Breath Watching

Relax, close your eyes and pay attention to your breath - that's the whole meditation. The idea of this meditation is to let go of your thoughts. Of course this is easier said than done, so here are some tips to make this more effective.

1. Tense to relax. If you have difficulty relaxing or letting go of the tension in some particular part of your body, it sometimes helps to first tense up and then release. Pay attention to the feeling of the tension draining away when you release, and you essentially train yourself how to relax more deeply.

2. Choose a comfortable position. Sitting with legs crossed is the most common meditation posture, but if you can remain awake, laying down works fine as well. I even enjoy doing this while standing.

3. Breath deeply through your nose. You'll notice that your diaphragm is more engaged when you breath through your nose (notice how your abdomen expands more). This brings air deep into your lungs. Let your chest expand as well.

4. Return to the breath. Your thoughts will intrude again and again.

This isn't necessarily a problem though. You just keep returning your attention to the air coming and going through your nose.

Simply meditate like this for at least five minutes, working up to twenty minutes in subsequent sessions.

How To Meditate - The Easiest Way For Beginners

The easiest way to meditate is to simply listen to a meditation CD that uses brainwave entrainment technology. These products usually have background music (or other sounds) in which beats are embedded. These "binaural beats," as they are sometimes called, affect your brainwaves, slowing them down. This quickly brings you to a meditative state with no real effort on your part.

Do they work? Yes. Having tried many different types of meditation CDs, I can report that they are powerful tools. I use them for meditation as well as sleep-inducers (just lay down while listening).

LATEST BRAIN POWER NEWS

2009-12-28T04:47:00.001-08:00

Latest Research On Meditation

You know that I am a fan of meditation for increasing brainpower. Well, the latest research shows that it not only makes your brain perform better, but may actually reduce the amount of sleep you need. This is good news for those of us who don't feel like we have the time for meditation. Perhaps we can just take the time from our sleep time if we want to.

A study at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, used the established "psychomotor vigilance task," which is used to quantify the effects of sleepiness on mental ability. Participants look at a LCD screen and press a button when they see an image pop up. Typical response time is under 300 milliseconds. Sleep-deprived people consistently take longer, or just miss the stimulus altogether.

Subjects had 40 minutes of sleep, meditation, reading, or light conversation before and after testing. All subjects tried all four pre-test activities in different tests. A 40 minute nap had already been proven to improve performance, when subjects are given an hour to get past the after-nap grogginess. The researchers were surprised to find, though, that only meditation caused an immediate improvement in performance. This was true even though none of the volunteers were experienced meditators.

Interestingly, every single subject showed improvement. When testing was done after a night without sleep, the improvement was even more dramatic. What was not determined, is why meditation improves brain performance.

GAMES WHICH INCREASE IQ

2009-12-22T07:15:00.001-08:00

1. RAK up the IQ points with a DVORAK keyboard!

It sounds like a cat choking on a hairball, but it'll help you increase your know-how! The standard (most popular) typeset is QWERTY, which came into standardization with the first typewriters (*interesting side fact that has nothing to do with this article whatsoever: "Typewriter" is the longest word you can make using only letters from the top run of your keyboard?). QWERTY is an arrangement of keys that was actually designed to slow typists down! This was because typewriters were notoriously erratic and often broke down due to people typing too fast. And so in an ironic twist of fate the most popular typeset is in fact the most inefficient one! DVORAK is one of the more efficient ones, in fact for every mile that your fingers travel on a DVORAK keyboard, they'd have traveled 4 miles on a standard QWERTY keyboard! So- learn to type faster AND increase your intelligence while doing so.

How to switch your keyboard to DVORAK and more from mwbrooks.com
All about DVORAK at Wikipedia.org

2. Cubic Cognitive Comprehension

The most misspelled (*interesting fact that has nothing to do with this article whatsoever no. 2: Misspelled is also one of the top misspelled words in the English language!) puzzle in history, Rubik's Cube was invented in the 70's by a Hungarian architect and is said to be the most sold toy in the world! It's also one of the best for getting your gray matter going. You're bound to know someone who has one stored away in a deep dark box, or thrown behind the sofa in a moment of profound frustration. If not, pick one up at your local toy store for pennies and get shuffling!

3. Sodiku.. Sodak..Sudako..Sod it!

The word sudoku derives from the Japanese phrase "Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru," which means "the numbers must be single," or "the numbers must occur only one.". Sudoku is a great and popular puzzle because the rules are so simple yet the methods to solve it can be extremely difficult. Sudokus range from easy to fiendishly difficult and there are many different kinds to try out once you get bored of the standard version.

At WebSudoku.com you can start playing immediately (for free) and adjust the difficulty too.

*Additional note: You can actually buy Sudoku themed Rubik's cubes, thus you can kill two birds with one stone!

4. Juggle your way to smarts

The left hemisphere of your brain controls your right hand and the right hemisphere of your brain controls your left hand. This means that by using your less dominant hand you are stimulating the opposite half of your brain. This is a common phenomena which explains why ambidextrous people are often more intelligent. Taking up juggling is not only a good way to show off to your friends but it will wake up parts of your mind.

WikiHow has a good guide to get you started playing with your balls (sorry couldn't resist that one).

THE MOZART EFFECT

2009-12-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

The Mozart effect is the theory that simply hearing classical music, typically Mozart, can increase your IQ or boost certain parts of your intellect. It all began with Alfred Tomatis who conducted simple experiments where he attempted to use Mozart symphonies as stimulus to cure a variety of different disorders. A later experiment was conducted where Mozart was used on students to try and increase the IQ by 8 or 9 points.

Another study was conducted where children of 3 and 4 were given 8 months of piano tutoring then given IQ tests. They typically scored 34% higher on tests of spatio-temporal reasoning than the other control groups who were given singing lessons, computer lessons or no lessons at all.

While the results and effects of the Mozart effect may have been blown out of proportion and gained a large amount of weight in the media, it is still an interesting and significant finding and shows that the IQ can be increased temporarily simply by activating certain parts of the brain passively.

TOYS THAT INCREASE YOUR IQ

2009-12-22T07:11:00.000-08:00

Lego & Meccano

By playing with constructive toys like Lego and Meccano your brain is learning how to utilize different skills. Fitting together different shaped blocks and using subtle techniques that you might take for granted like which shapes fit where and how to make something look good actually employs your analytical and spacial awareness skills. Essentially you are having fun while learning how to increase your IQ! Why not steal your kids collection for a few days and construct a Lego masterpiece or start a new Meccano project to develop your creation skills and thought processes.

Boardgames

Boardgames like Boggle and Backgammon are perfect for jogging your math and literary skills and forcing you to learn new words and sums. Just about any board game involves some degree of skill which in turn requires you to think and plan. Games like scrabble are a perfect example, where you are forced to use memory and association. Even humble Monopoly forces you to make business decisions and keep track of your incoming and outgoing assets while trying to stay ahead.

Yo-Yo or Diablo

Yo-Yo's are an almost annual fad. Most years for a few brief weeks or months there seems to be a Yo-Yo craze and then they suddenly die out again. Well fortunately Yo-Yos are pretty cheap and fascinatingly learning how to use them and do different tricks activates and improves your hand-to-eye coordination and your motor functions. Learning to do some simple tricks or using two Yo-Yos at once will activate both hemispheres of the brain at once and really give your brain a jolt. Likewise the Chinese Yo-Yo or Diablo (pictured) is a unique toy whose roots began in Carnivals and festivals. You can buy one for $30 dollars or so on e-bay and after just a couple of weeks practice you can pull off some impressive tricks. A half hours practice per day will work out the alignment of your brain and also help to improve coordination skills

DRILLS FOR YOUR BRAIN

2009-12-22T06:55:00.001-08:00

There are a whole lot of array of exercises that you can indulge in to sharpen your brain. It can be as simple as reading something new or more complex like solving a crossword puzzle or later thinking riddles. Below I give some ideas about some generic exercises for the brain which can be practiced anywhere. Later, I recommend some for enhancing specific functionality of the brain.

Easy Exercises for your Brain

The simplest of the drills could be to invent and imagine new possibilities for an object. For example take a clock. Think on ideas for improving the clock. It could like you do not have to look at it to know the time. You could think of a clock which informed you about the time and alert you of the tasks and appointments you need to attend to.

There are a lot many methods. One such is solving puzzle or riddles. These could range from very simple to complex. Lateral thinking puzzles can also help enhance creativity. For example a riddle like “ Why was Bertha not jailed even after killing many people?”. The answer – Bertha was a hurricane. Such riddles can open up your mind to think in new directions and enhance creativity.

Coming up with jokes is a great exercise. But it could be a little difficult if you do not have any experience at it. Pick a word at random and use it to come up with a joke. It could be as simple as the word “Justice”. For example “Where can you find justice always?”. In the dictionary! If you cant think of any joke, move on to another word of your choice.

Enhance Specific Functionality

Our brain has specific parts dedicated for a specific functionality. If you are weak at visualization you could enhance it by imagining to be walking in your home. Create all possible scenes in your mind till you can clearly see in your mind each and every object at your home.

To enhance concentration power, you could practice “mind” irritations. Whatever goes below the surface inhibits you from focusing. Identify such objects and list them. Meditation is one technique which is found to be helpful. But being alert and mindful is a simpler method to increase your natural power of concentration.

There are numerous memory techniques available to strengthen your memory. Practice mentally placing a host of objects in fixed locations in your house and imagine them in strangest of al places. Or imagine the person you will visit next and call them by their name in your imagination. This could help you memorize names

Creativity enhancement needs you to be a little wild. Imagine something illogical like lights which fly. To make it more effective have the sense of the image in your mind. Imagine yourself being in a market where there are lights on helium balloons. Put in a little more thinking and imagination and you could be in the company of colorful flying lights.

It is undisputed that the more you exercise your brain the more it functions and in a better manner. The more the brain is exercised, the less then chances of you becoming a victim of age related mental disorders. Better to start as early as possible with simple exercises

ENHANCING YOUR INTELLIGENCE 4 MORE TIPS

2009-12-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

1. We often prefer people who think similar to us. I believe developing friendship with people who think differently is a great idea. Talking to these people can really help change some of the beliefs that you hold. Have a variety of people like artists, doctors, construction workers as friends in your life.

2. The world has a number of things to offer to you. Cultural diversity exists everywhere in the world. Travel, social gatherings etc are few methods to get to experience other cultures. But travel doesn’t mean going to Cuba and staying in a Western hotel. It should expose you to a different environment. I had a wonderful trip to China with my kids. They quickly got accustomed to the Chinese traditions. This was the time when I realized how rigid and inflexible I had become.

3. In today’s electronic era, cell phone and email have become addictions to us. Always find time for introspection. Don’t give email more importance than yourself. Switching off the cell phone for a few hours is not a sin! Make it a rule not to spend more than an hour answering your emails. Implement the above and you will definitely have more time to think and you would be able to do good reading.

4. It is a very common tendency nowadays to do a number of things. In the end, we complete nothing perfectly. Whatever task you undertake should be done perfectly. Realize that any work, be it science or art needs one to put a dedicated effort for completion and even more effort to polish the work. People like Darwin should be a benchmark for us. No matter how much you want to undertake many projects at a time, learn to resist. Pay attention to a few and most important project would be your family.

2009-12-22T06:52:00.001-08:00

Writing.
Writing helps you in a lot of ways. It keeps your memory activated, so that it can recall things in the future. Also you can be very clear in your thoughts. You also hone your analytical and creative skills while writing. Some ways to enhance your memory power are maintaining diaries, writing poetry, essays, stories etc.

Brain exercises.
Math is a great exercise for your brain. When you see an object, think of something it can be used for, apart from what it is usually used for. If you regularly exercise your brain you develop your neurons and can stop or delay the process of mental deterioration that age causes.

Read faster.
Speed reading increases you ability to understand. But many people believe it doesn’t help. Speed reading helps you learn faster and more. A tip: when you scan always read the first and last stanzas because all the crux lies in these contents. Pick up any article and test this tip.

Work out
Exercising regularly enhances the power of your brain. Any regime that is good for your physical fitness boosts brain power too. Latest research has shown that an exercise as short as a 10 minute aerobics is sufficient to activate your brain. Hence, if you want to freshen your brain, just climb up and down your stairs a few times.

Rosemary
Many people claim that this herb has effect on the brain. No research has been done though. Just sniffing seems to stimulate your brain. It is a very safe technique, no side effects hence no harm in trying it out.

Smart learning
Always make it a habit when you learn something new. Always have some question to ask for each session of learning that you take. Take short breaks, because things at the starting and ending of a class last in your memory for a longer time.

Have conducive surroundings
Congested places and surroundings can affect your thought process. Have a conducive environment to do any mental task. Simple techniques like deep breathing, stretching can help you gear up before you begin the mental task. Always have time to divert your mind.

Creatine
Creatine, is found in meat and is used by sportspersons to help become muscular. Research has shown results which say that creatine also is beneficial to the brain. Proceedings B, a Royal Society journal has published the results. These results say that a remarkable improvement in the working memory and intelligence level was observed when a person takes creatine. The recommended dosage is 5 grams in a day. This is what most sportspersons take and can be found in 4 pounds of meet.

Talking
Talking, if done judiciously, will help you clear your understanding about things. Try to explain a concept about which you yourself do not have a clear idea. You will notice that this clears up your understanding to a large extent.

Use brain wave tools
This is the latest tool. These brain wave entertainment tools help you a lot. They can relax you quickly and some of them can make your brain start analyzing things in a different manner. You can try BrainWave stimulator software, that is a part of thesubliminal messages software package.

Indulge in what you love to do
This reduces stress and rejuvenates your brain. But it should be not something like watching TV. It should be an activity in which your are fully involved like playing scrabble or other similar games. When you indulge in what you love to do, you tend to worry less and this clears up your thought process.

Be positive
Be confident about yourself and you will become smart. Affirmations will be of great help. Always remember things you succeeded in. Note down all the creative ideas that come up in your brain. Note all things you do in a smart ways and you will grow smarter.

Follow creative people’s methods.
Always be in the company of those who are smart and productive. Observe them and do what they do. This is the basic principle behind neuron linguistic programming. But be cautious, when anyone of them advise you. Usually successful people don’t fully understand the reason of their success. Remember to follow what they do, not what they say!

Avoid getting into debates
Arguments always arouse your ego. When you are defending your view, you bring ego and not logic. This adversely affects your brain. The more you argue, the more you destabilize your brain. Arguments and debates can be value adding, but only if ego is not involved. Once ego enters, all logic fails. This certainly doesn’t help your IQ.

Avoid allergic food items.
Some food items like wheat, corn, peanuts and diary products may cause some minor allergies. Be observant to notice such effects. Some people face digestion problems and even brain fog by eating such items.

Eat fish.
It has been proven that consuming fish speeds up your brain and helps you focus for longer durations. Research has depicted a strong relation between lowering of depression and fish consumption. For instance, Japan (where fish is the staple food) has far less instances of depression than US.

You can take our IQ test to make sure that the techniques described above are working and your IQ score is improving.

RELEVANCE OF HIGH IQ

2009-12-22T06:51:00.001-08:00

What is high IQ? Is it better performance in school? Is it a good standard of life? Let examine if IQ is a relevant means to gauge one’s intellect or not.

Intellect and High IQ: Interrelated?
It is a known fact that the more your IQ score is the more intelligent a person is believed to be. But there are tests which are culturally biased. So for a person whose intelligence level is mediocre, this is a wrong means of measurement. Also, many simple techniques exist using which one can very easily boost IQ scores.

These techniques like a cup of coffee before a test may help you boost your score. Hence it is easy to adopt techniques which will modify your score. In short, you can manipulate the IQ score. I do agree that there is correlation between intellgence and IQ score, but it has its limitations.

Is lifestyle linked to High IQ?
There is no proof till date that higher intelligence leads a better lifestyle. Moreover, how do you quantify “better life”? What parameters are used to measure lifestyle?

There are people who had high IQ, yet they ended their lives voluntarily. Some of the names are Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway and Sylvia Path. Does this indicate towards a inverse relation between IQ and life? Research has shown that chances are high that people with low and high IQ would commit suicide. But these studies are only indicative. They do not pinpoint towards a reason for this phenomena.

Educational Grades and High IQ
Studies and experiments conducted lately, indicate that there did exist relation between IQ and academic performance. But it also showed that self discipline is more closely related to the grades a student secures. The more the self disciplined the child is the better is his/her performance. Yet there is no relation between IQ and discipline. These qualities are independent of each other.

There are experiments which have been conducted to understand the relation between discipline and academic performance. In these experiments the children were presented with two choices. First was that they could choose the cookie then. Second alternative was, if they do not choose cookie they could have 2 at a later stage. Those who opted the second choice had good academic grades. Thus the will power to choose the more lucrative choice, which comes through self discipline, has proven to be more influential on educational grades.

True meaning of IQ
I do agree that intelligence is a powerful tool, but remember there are far more significant tools which play an equally important role in shaping up our lives. It is only useful if applied to improve one’s lifestyle. Computing power alone is not capable of making a computer helpful. Other components are necessary to support it. Do not underestimate people with average IQ. People like Henry Ford have been successful. So be cautious when you exaggerate the importance of high IQ.

INCREASE YOUR IQ:ACT NOW

2009-12-22T06:49:00.000-08:00

If you want to improve your IQ for an important meeting that is scheduled in the near future or anything important you can certainly do so. Try the following methods:

Breathing Exercises
Deep Breathing helps: This is very easy for anyone to practice. Deep breathing opens up your brain. You help more amount of oxygen flow into your brain which relaxes the brain. It has been known that higher the oxygen amount in blood the more it is easy to relax. Most of the people do not deep breath, hence this is a quick and effective way to relax. I recommend you to breath through nose, since this helps you in breathing deeply.

Meditation: This is immensely helpful because it involves deep breathing. Meditation involves observing breathing pattern and this induces relaxation. Close your eyes and start breathing deeply for some time. Later you can breathe at your own pace. You will have a flood of thoughts coming to your mind, ignore them all and concentrate on your breathing. Practice this daily for a few minutes.

Hypnosis and self-hypnosis: Practicing hypnosis oneself can help you increase your IQ.

Exercise
Improve your posture
Sit with your back straight and keep your mouth closed. If you have a good posture you can improve your concentration and clear up your thought process. Try it yourself. When you attempt to do some math problem sleeping or mouth opened, you will notice that you don’t do it as fast as when you sit straight with your mouth shut.

Exercise :Physical activity helps regulate the blood flow into your brain. You need have a rigorous regime. An activity that is sufficient enough to pump blood will wake up your brain is good. Walking is good and aerobics is even better to enhance IQ.

Sleep: Everyone knows that sleep refreshes you. But remember to sleep deep, it’s the quality and not the quantity of sleep that will help your IQ.

Improve your Food Habits
Coffee: Experiments conducted have shown that scores can improve if you consume coffee before you take an important exam. Be cautious because the effect is short and caffeine if consumed regularly can have harmful side-effects.

Ginkgo biloba: It is available in the form of capsules, tea or leaves. Have it as you like since it increases flow of blood into your brain. This helps improve your memory and concentration capability. It is very fast and the effect is long lasting if regularly used.

Reduce Sugar: Not only sugar, but any carbohydrate if consumed more or regularly can affect your thinking capability. This is due to the insulin that the body generates to digest sugar. Avoid items like white flour, sugar, potatoes especially before anything important like a meeting or an exam.

Be concerned only with the boosting your IQ
Don’t bother yourself with debates like what is real intelligence. You should be concerned only with the results, only your score in IQ test. Test always test your intelligence albeit only at a particular point of time. You have to score higher at these points of time. So if you slept well, drank coffee or employed any of the above techniques and others to boost your IQ, you will have nothing to lose. If you inculcate some of the above, you will be alert to do your tasks perfectly.

KEEP YOUR BRAIN SHARP

2009-12-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

Workout to Build the Neural Network

We all know that regular physical exercise helps keep the body active and in good health. Similarly, mental and neurological exercises can help our mind and nervous system to be functional and healthy for a longer period of time.

Any activity like meeting new people or playing games can keep your brain active and agile. Doing it is very easy and fun filled and you can do this sitting in your home!

In this article called “Keep Your Brain Sharp” 5 exercises to keep your brain and the neurons active have been described.

The Mechanism of Memory
Brain is a seven-pound mass of highly flexible and impressionable material. Each bit of our brains is composed of thousands of connections called synapses. These switches are biologically described as your nerve cells which form a network and exchange signals whenever we think. The more this network or synaptic connections get formed, the more you improve your capability to remember and think.
E.M.Forster, the renowned novelist had said “Only connect”. He was referring to the connections that get formed in our brain, which enhances our thinking capability. We form millions of such connections every week, but these weaken over time, due to which we begin to “forget” things.

Alzheimer’s is an ailment which has many effects on the victim. Perhaps, the cruelest is the loss of memory of a person. This is because the agents which travel between neurons, called neurotransmitters do not function because they get stuckin a protein called amyloid. The nerve cells deteriorate and over a period of time parts of a person’s memory become unusable. It is not known if this effect is permanent or reversible. But the issue we have to focus on is how to strengthen and sustain the synaptic network in our brains

Memory : A distributed network.
Do not be under the impression that our brain is compartmentalized into cabinets. Instead, it is large complex structure interwined together. We surely remember any funny incident that might have happened at a party. We would also recall the person’s face, the surroundings and all such minute details of that occasion. Our brain stores such information at number of locations. There is an analogy between brain and internet. Like the internet, our brain stores and retrieves information at various information sources and retrieves from the same.

1. Recollect a discussion
Try recollecting a discussion you had a day ago. Pay attention to how these memories are ingrained with other elements of the discussion like the place, the voice of person, his/her tone etc.

2. Apply.
One of the important factor for enhancing long term memory is social component. Try remembering some elements like person’s clothing, place where you had a discussion, the climate etc.

3. Add new activities to your life
a) Be flexible.
Visit a different store. Rearrange your furniture. Visit a park you have never gone.

b) Have conversation with new people.
Have a conversation with people you have never interacted with. Talk to people as varied in professions like may be librarian, sales clerk, waiter. You may know them by face, so add a name to their faces into your memory.

4. Make new friends.
The internet is the best place to do this.
The Crux:
Make it a point not to get stuck to a routine. Add variety into your life. Spice it up a little.

Lawrence Cahill, professor or neurobiology at the University of California, says, “A good intellectual diet, combined with physical exercise, is going to keep you sharper longer”.

How it happens? Duke University neurobiologist says that we enhance creation of the neuron networks by creating a rich environment all around us. This in turn boosts the formation of neurotrophins, which acts a a manure for the brains to invigorate itself.
An experiment conducted has proven this theory. This experiment was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, where in researchers bred mice in a cage devoid of anything to do or play with. As the mice grew, they were transferred to a cage which had a lot of things filled to do. There were exercise wheels and habitrils and wood chips of various colors. It was observed that the mice’s brains actually grew and expanded physically so as to assimilate the new surroundings they had been exposed to.

5. Cultivate Habits
a) Undertake some new task
Undertake a task which involves physical effort. This will enhance your computational reserves in your brain. It could be sailing if you don’t know it. If it’s winter try out skiing. There are a host of activities you do not know and can learn it to enhance your brain power

b) Reading Habit
Books can be of great help. Try to read a genre which you have never read. If you are a fiction buff, pick a biography or history book. If you are non fiction fan, read some literature. It is in a way challenging your brain.

Caution:
Do anything, but watching TV.

Humor : Motion to Emotion
The movie “Patch Adams” did show people the benefit of humor, but it is still a debated topic. But one thing is very sure: humor will not cause or hurt anyone in any possible way.

Karyn Buxman, a Missouri nurse and member of the American Association of Therapeutic Humor has stated that laughter and humor helped increase the production of a hormone called catecholamine. This resulted in the subjects being more alert and having better memory. A fake laughter can also sometimes cause a genuine smile on many lips. It has been observed that irrespective of the laugh being fake or real, motions do get transferred to emotion.

2009-12-22T06:47:00.000-08:00

The training to your brain need not be as rigorous as physical workout. “No pain, no gain” is not applicable in this case. If you want to reach a destination you always have two options. The harder one is to run and the other smart choice is to use a vehicle. Likewise, there are smarter tools available to train your brain. This article will tell you about tools which you can practice to hone your brain.

Simple Tips
Simple techniques can sharpen your brain. Take a simple tip. If you want to invest and want to forecast your earning use a rule called “rule of 72”. You can use this formula to estimate in how much time you can increase your money by 100%. The rule is: divide 72 by the rate of return on your investment. The result will give you the time span it takes to double your money. It assumes compounding of interest and that you reinvest all interest again into the same.

Another useful rule is from the real estate advisors. They say not to pay for a property if it exceeds 100 times your monthly rent. Although, not a substitute for a more complex analysis, but it is an easy tool to take decisions. If a property costs 150 times your monthly rent, you need not even think twice before deciding not to buy it.

Ask
Mathematical formulas are not the only tool you have at your disposal. Make it a habit to ask simple queries. This many times helps you reap results quicker. Many comedians, use these questions and are able to produce better jokes.

A friend says that he feels immortal since he has children. The comedian would ask, “Detect what is the mistake in this picture?”.. Soon it dawns upon you that it indicates death. You answer that you wish to have immortality by not having to die.
Some other scenarios of comedian asking questions are : “ what happens if I drag it to the upper limit?”, “ What will this look to a dog?”, “What are the words with multiple meanings that I can use?” and many more.

Methods
There are a host of problem solving techniques you could use daily and gradually they become a part of your thought process. Do not take assumptions for granted. Always question them. You can use this to solve your personal problems, where there are lot of unknown assumptions.

There are 4 possible assumptions when your kids are squabbling over TV.
1. TV is a necessity.
2. Fight is the real issue.
3. Squabbling has to end.
4. It is none of your business.

Question these and you may get the following alternatives.
1. Restrict the access and use to TV or eliminate it altogether.
2. Improve your kid’s behavior.
3. Exit and just ignore their fight.
4. Give kids a week to solve their issues or else tell them that no access to TV will be granted to them.

There are simple rules for every activity we undertake and there are also rules that life makes us see. Using this will help us make informed and logical decisions. Always evaluate if any activity you did helped you move towards achievement of your goals or if there was a better way you could have performed a task.

Over a period of time, all of us cultivate habits which get ingrained in our subconscious mind. Just examine their need. We can easily train ourselves to practice tips and techniques which will us become more efficient. Mental training of a basic level is only thing which we need to do.

GOOD IQ SCORE: MISCONCEPTIONS&TRUTHS

2009-12-22T06:40:00.000-08:00

You must have come across people who claim to have scored high in IQ tests. They flaunt their certificates to all. Usually it is believed that person is intelligent if his IQ score is high. These are absolutely illogical claims. Each IQ test differs and a high score in one such test might not be even equal to the average score of another.

Good IQ score is subjective. Raw score is what a person scores when he/she answers the questions correct. The following practices should be used to interpret or draw conclusions. Comparing two scores also needs the following methods to be used to establish if the score is really worthy or not.

Title of the IQ test
The need today is of a perfect system to compare scores from two IQ tests. It will be foolish to compare two scores solely on the basis of which is higher. You have to know what IQ test was taken by the participant.

The Level of the IQ Test
The difficulty level of the test also needs to be considered while evaluating the score. Usually, the accuracy level decreases as the level of difficulty increases. You may score different scores on test with the same name. The reason might be the difficulty level of the test. The tests are not uniform and show a variation in the level of difficulty. The developers of these tests modify the pattern depending on factors like age, education and others.

Pattern differs
It is possible for one to score differently on tests with same name, because these tests vary in their content. Suppose that you score as high as 120 in an IQ test with tested your verbal ability. This does not mean that you will score the same in another category, say logical reasoning. IQ tests, usually, test all categories, but a new trend is emerging in the industry. It is getting specialized. Hence, to evaluate a score or interpret it due consideration must be given to the area on which the IQ test focuses on.

It is possible that your scores decrease as you progress in your education. But this does not mean that your intelligence is deteriorating. There could be a whole lot of reasons which could be causing this. It could be the name of the test, the difficulty level and the pattern. It is not always the case that your highest score is your good one.

Standard Deviation : a variable factor
In the earlier stages, the mental age (MA) was the only factor that was taken into account to gauge intelligence. But it proved to be a wrong approach and hence the term intelligence quotient was introduced. Mathematically, it is defined as the ratio of mental age to chronological age multiplied by 100. A person was considered average intelligent if he/she secured a score of 100. Below it was below average and above 100 was above average intelligence. All was fine, until it was found that the standard deviation wasn’t a constant all through a person’s life.

Hence standard deviation measure for each IQ tests differs today. Some have 15 and some take it as 20. So, it would not do justice to judge two IQ test scores. This has further complicated the issue of judging what a good score is.

Sample Size and Elements
It may be easy to find instructions about the factors like test items, content, standard deviations in the manual of the IQ tests. But it is very difficult to get access and information to the guidelines which helped the people who shaped these test to research and establish these standards.

To do this, the developers aim for a perfect sample space. But there is too much variation in each individual, so a perfect sample remains a distant dream. Further, comparing IQ scores of different societies is even more difficult. Given these conditions and factors, it is impossible to claim that a score is the best even though all other factors do not vary much.

IQ Score: What is good?
It is highly impossible to say that a particular IQ score is good. Any such claim will be establishing a wrong practice. At the same time, we cannot establish a score as bad. To increase this ambiguity, it seems that even the testing industry is not much inclined to clarify this issue.

HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR INTELLIGENCE

2009-12-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

Brain is very similar to a muscle. Like muscles, brain also needs the right kind of exercise and nutrition. The more you use your brain in the right direction, the more you will enhance your ability to focus and think sharply. On the contrary, if you feed your brain the wrong chemicals you will harm its functioning and your thinking capabilities.
Listed below are 5 easy techniques to extract a little more of creativity from your gray cells.

1. Avoid Watching Television : This is perhaps very tough to convince people about. Many people including myself love to just sit in front of TV. Watching TV is not at all productive. It neither enhances your mental capability nor recharges your brain. It is very similar to having all energy drained out of your brain without reaping the benefits of exercise.

TV does make you feel tired after a few hours. Don’t you agree? Eyes hurt and crave for rest after you watch TV for a long time. You are not left with any energy and motivation to read a book.
A good way to relax is to read a book. If not a book, then listening to music is a great idea to relax. Whenever in the company of friends and family have a chat with them instead of watching television. This will utilize you mind more than when you watch television.

2. Work Out: Earlier, I used to think that reading a book is more useful than exercising. But over time I realized exercise is more helpful since it helps you learn more in the long run. A work out is a good way to cleanse your body and rejuvenate it. You will find that exercise helps you focus for longer periods of time.

3. Read books that stimulate thought: Fiction is what most prefer to read, but it is hardly useful for enhancing the thought process. Reading books which are mentally challenging will help you improve your ability to read and write. Classics will improve your vocabulary to think in English and may even change the pattern of your thinking. Never ignore the words you don’t understand. Look up for their meanings. Also put all your effort in understanding paragraphs which appear complicated. Read them again and again to understand the full depth. Cultivate this habit and you will soon be able to grasp any complicated matter.

I am sure that once you get hooked to stimulating books, you will no longer be tempted to read fiction. Learning and imbibing fresh ides is far more thrilling than reading a fiction novel.

4. Sleep Early, Rise Early: Insufficient sleep is the main cause of people not being able to focus for extended periods of time. Sleeping early and rising up early will keep you very fresh and active. Remaining awake till late in the night , you will end up waking up late and feeling lazy . Moreover, you ability to focus will also take a hit. Waking up early in the morning enhances your productivity and keeps you alert all through the day.

If you feel tired and sleepy, take a nap which is not longer than 20 minutes. Anything more will make you lethargic. Short naps do rejuvenate you.

5. Find Time to Introspect: We become so much involved in our daily life that we don’t find time for ourselves. Concentration reduces. Find time where in you are alone and can think about issues. This will help organize your thoughts and you can prioritize your tasks and duties. You will be able to make clear cut decisions and focus on the most important issues. You cluttered mind will be a lot more clear and you will know why you are doing activities when performing them.

All said and done, I am not advising that you do yoga or chant some mantra. Any technique that allows you to sit alone and think is good. Personally , I prefer talking a long walk all alone. Experiment and try out new methods to find out which one suits you the best.

Recommendation: I am sure you do appreciate the techniques that I have suggested above. Remember, it is more often that things which sound simple turn to be most relevant. The crucial part is to implement them for longer periods. Follow the above 5 and I am sure you will greatly enhance your mental abilities and ability to reproduce what you have imbibed. From time to time test your intelligence- you can take our IQ test to estimate your progress.

CREATIVE CONSEPTS

2009-12-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

New creative concepts and ideas. This is a page for everything that just doesn't fit into the other categories. This includes concepts like functional art. Imagine a field of man-made sunflowers, the faces of the flowers following the sun and collecting its energy through their solar cells. That is the kind of creative concept you'll find here.

Moving Sidewalk. There are moving sidewalks in airports, so why not ones that cross a city? Slower "feeder" sidewalks could lead up to and away from the high-speed main line that takes you at six-miles-per-hour through the city. It might even become a tourist attraction.

Subliminal Rehabilitation. If prisoners agreed to it, would there be any problem piping constant subliminal messages into their cells? They could be continually fed good thoughts, ideas, and life-changing affirmations.

Frozen Shoes. Do your feet get too hot? Have you ever put your shoes in the freezer for an hour before putting them on?

100 Bad Ideas. This is my creative concept for a hopefully funny book. The bad ideas might include putting poetry on cereal boxes, hitchhiking through Iran with a Salmon Rushdie t-shirt on, and a new super-hero doll called "Super Bin Laden."

Door To Fantasy. Have a door on the wall that doesn't actually go anywhere. Instead, when it is opened, it reveals a beautiful painting of an outdoor scene.

Disposable Pets. Breed dogs for a short life, preferably less than two years. "Genetically guaranteed short life pets." These are for those who don't want a long-term commitment.

Horrible Foods Cookbook. Want a serving of tuna fish ice cream? How about chicken pudding or anchovy soda?

Homeless To Hopeful. This comes from a creative concept I read about. Shy, non-social kids watched films that showed non-social kids like themselves joining in the activities with the other kids. They immediately began to change and join in activities with others. This is the power of an example. My idea is to create a book of true success stories in which homeless people turned their lives around, with and without help. The book would be distributed in the streets, to provide models and examples for the people living there.

BRAIN POWER PRACTICE

2009-12-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

1.Clearing The Mind When your mind is too busy to focus on the task at hand, stop and make a prioritized list. . Put the most important thing at the top and once you write down the rest, mentally set them aside. If you watch closely, you'll notice that often we are juggling so many different thoughts at once because we are afraid of forgetting something important. Putting these thoughts on paper assures us that they are remembered. It makes it easier to let them go so we can attend to the task at han

2.Training yourself to use different perspectives can give your creative output a powerful boost. Thoughts affect how you see. For example, a photo of a face can be right in front of you, but you draw what you think a face looks like, instead of what is actually there.

Good art instructors will have you turn the photo upside down, and then draw the face. This interrupts your normal mental interpretation of the face, and leaves you with nothing to do but draw the lines the way they are. Try this technique. You'll be surprised how much more accurate a drawing done this way is.

Try other ways of changing your perspective too. Look at things as a child would, or even as a dog would. Why not train yourself to try different perspectives in all areas of your life?

3.Close Your Eyes

The eyestrain from staring at a computer screen is distracting, and relieving it may help you think more clearly. There is also another reason to close your eyes for a minute now and then. Doing so has been shown to cause an almost immediate increase in "alpha" brain waves. The alpha brainwave state is known to make learning things easier, and to increase creative thought. Rest your eyes once in a while.

4.Is Ping Pong A Mind Game?

Research clearly shows now that stimulating the brain causes measurable changes in the structure of the brain. With intellectual work or mental games like Sudoku or crossword puzzles, new connections are made and new brain cells are grown. Interestingly, this has been found to be true with physical games as well, if they involve hand-eye coordination. Ping pong, juggling, and playing catch may all be good for your brain.

DID YOU KNOW

2009-12-13T06:15:00.000-08:00

1.The shortest complete sentence in the English language is "Go."
The original Levi Strauss jeans were made from hemp, a variety of marijuana plant.
2.An elephant's brain is about six times as large as a human brain. In relation to body size, however, humans have the largest brain of all the animals (about 2% of body weight).
- The human brain weighs an average of about 1.4 kilograms, or a little over three pounds. A cat's brain weighs about one ounce.
- Albert Einstein's brain was smaller than average, because he was smaller than average.
- There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.
- We now know for a fact that the brain continues to produce new neurons throughout our lives, and it does so in response to stimulation (exercise). This is referred to as brain plasticity or neuro-plasticity, and it is one of the most encouraging of these "brain facts."
-Vocabulary of average English speacking person is 5000-6000 words
- Despite the popular and long-standing belief, eating chocolate doesn't cause acne. Many scientific studies have disproven this myth.
- Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. The thobromine and caffeine in chocolate can poison a dog or, in high enough quantities, kill it.
- Gold, was just $35 per ounce as recently as 1971. - Activities involving timing and coordination cause dendrite growth in the brain. More dendrites mean more possible connections in the brain, allowing your thinking and learning to be more flexible and efficie

ART OF THINKING

2009-12-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

What do I mean by the art of thinking? It may seem that powerful thinking should simply be logical, and nothing more. The ideal thinker then, might be Spock, the "Vulcan" in the "Star Trek" television show and movies. Of course, if you watch the program, you may recall that the humans aboard the spaceship had most of the solutions and new ideas. Spock only knew how to analyze.

The most useful processes of thought need to do more than run a "logic program." After all, we need to choose what to think about, and we also sometimes need new ways to think about things. These tasks are not a matter of applying logic, but of choosing values and pursuing them creatively.

This is where the art of thinking comes into play. A definition of art: "Disciplines, or those parts of disciplines, which do not rely solely on the scientific method." This includes such arts as economic forecasting and psychological therapy, which might someday rely solely on the scientific method. However, at the moment neither these nor thinking can be described, taught, or practiced solely as a scientific method.

To understand this it might help to use another art as a metaphor. Painting, for example, can shed some light on thinking. The goal is to express something on canvas. You start with the paints, brushes, palettes and other tools. But all the best tools aren't enough.

You need to learn how to paint. You learn to draw, and perhaps learn the geometry of creating perspective in a scene. You learn how to mix the colors and how to show light reflecting. This is the science of painting.

The tools and science still aren't enough, though. You need to practice, so you paint again and again to learn how to best get various effects. Then, with the tools, the knowledge, and the practice, you are ready to create something new of your own. Perhaps. Of course there is nothing in your painting books that says, "This is what you want to say with your painting."

Here, the "art" enters. First, you choose according to your values what you will paint. Then, you find a way to express it creatively. Perfect science would get you nothing more than a photograph - less actually, since even the art of photography finds a way to show a subject from a new and creative perspective. Instead, you're relying on your intuition to find a way to show something new, some unique perspective.

How do you know how well you did? First, the painting either makes sense to you or it doesn't. Second, it makes sense to others, or not. Of course, some won't appreciate a good painting, but if nobody sees the value in your painting, it isn't likely that they are all aesthetically "blind." Feedback matters, because painting is not just about expressing yourself, but also about communicating your vision to others.

PAINTING WITH THOUGHTS

Want to improve your art of thinking? Start with better tools. Just as a better paintbrush can help produce a better painting, better reasoning skills, or more observation, or more experience can lead to more useful, valuable, and even beautiful thoughts. Your intuition, which guides you in the use of these other tools, should be developed. But good tools are not enough.

You need knowledge. Knowing more things gives you more options in combining those things into new ideas. Practice gives you more skill in doing this as well. Expand the base of your knowledge then, and practice thinking of new ideas. But tools, knowledge and practice are still not enough.

Like a painter, you need to start with your values to decide where to apply your thinking. What is worth thinking about? Then you need to look at your thoughts and ask if they make sense. You also need to throw them out there into the public sphere - at least among friends - to see if they make sense to others. Do at least some people understand the picture you are painting with your words?

By the way, talking to others is a form of thinking (at least it can be). Just as the communication between the various parts of your brain creates new ideas, so does the interplay of two minds in a conversation. Good conversation can be an important part of the art of thinking.

What else? Like a painter, you should experiment. You should mix those "paints" up differently from time to time, just to see what you get.

You should try a new type of canvas (think on paper, in poetry, in stories?), or a new subject matter.

You should watch the process of your own thoughts, learn from it, and adapt accordingly. Much of what you learn will be at a level below consciousness. To use this, even as you guide your thoughts consciously, you have to allow for the intuitive as well. It is in this interplay between the conscious and unconscious that the art of thinking really

MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHTS

2009-12-13T04:12:00.000-08:00

Motivational thoughts help you take action. I'm not talking about positive thinking or repeating motivating quotes. These have their place in shaping your attitude and thinking, but what motivates each of us is unique. You need to have your own thoughts - those which are most effective at getting you going

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein

The above quote is a good one, and it may well help you look at the positive side of a situation, but what if it just doesn't get you excited? In that case, you need to apply a little brainpower and make the idea your own. You need to make it a truly motivational thought for YOU.

YOUR OWN MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT

What does "making it your own" mean? It means experimenting with a good thought until you find a way to use it in your own recipe for motivation. For example, suppose you are in a difficult situation and you just don't feel like dealing with it. Then you play around with the idea of opportunity coming from difficulty, and you discover that it pulls you out of your slump to think about yourself in the future, explaining to a friend how you turned the difficult situation to your advantage.

That is making it your own motivational thought. Of course, it might be more motivating to imagine yourself being interviewed someday about how you overcame this difficult time. Whatever kind of thinking works for you is what you should be doing.

SELF MOTIVATION

Experiment and see what works. For myself, I find that more than just thinking a thought, if I explain it to someone, I get excited. This is my own recipe. If I feel unmotivated about writing, for example, all I have to do is explain an idea I have for some article to my wife. By the time I have done that, I am very motivated to work.

Get creative in your motivational experiments. If thinking about being poor makes you get up and get to work, then that is a great motivational thought. If a visual thought is more motivating than a mental conversation, then use that. See a picture in your head that gets you going. If when people say you can't do something, you do whatever it takes to prove them wrong, then think about them saying you can't.

If you have a truly uninspiring task you have to do, try promising yourself some reward for completion that means something to you. Hold that thought in your mind to keep you motivated. A bowl of ice cream or a trip to the beach may be more powerful motivational thoughts than any famous quotes.

FREE OR CHEAP BRAIN BOOSTERS

2009-12-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

Free Or Cheap Brain Boosters

Here are a couple natural brain boosters you may find for free.

Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, and the trees are often planted in parks. Friends and I used to eat a few leaves when we wanted a brain boost. It is also inexpensive to buy the capsules or tea at any health food store.

Saint John's Wort is a common weed that may be growing in your yard. Its brain enhancement qualities are less documented, but studies do show its usefulness for treating long-term depression. Also, many people swear by its temporary mood-elevating effect, and our brains tend to function better when we are happy.

It's normally inexpensive if you buy it from a health food or nutritional supplement store. Some people collect it in the yard or woods (it grows as a weed in many places), and make tea of it. (Hypericum Perforatum is the botanical name.) I feel happier and more mentally alert for about two hours after drinking the tea. Anecdotal evidence, to be sure, but it seems safe enough to try (chop up a tablespoonful to make the tea).

Note: There are contraindications to taking St. John’s Wort for those on some prescribed medications, so check with your doctor.

Rosemary may have an effect on the brain when the scent is inhaled. Some people swear that just sniffing rosemary wakes up their brain. I'm waiting to see research on this, but in the meantime, what can it hurt to try it? If you have rosemary in your spice rack, go give it a sniff.

BERRY:

We have known for a while that blueberries and strawberries have many beneficial things in them, including antioxidants that help protect brain cells. Now, recent research has shown that rats fed on these fruits have better coordination, better concentration, and better short-term memory. I'll let you know when and if new research shows similar effects in humans. In the meantime, don't forget that bilberries, a type of blueberry, have already been shown to improve eyesight in humans.

Note:

You can see this isn't a scientific journal, but a practical guide to brainpower. I'll often cite the latest studies, but I'll also discuss safe techniques and brain-boosters which have only experience and anecdotal evidence to recommend them. Bottom line: I don't want to leave anything out. Also, scientific research sometimes only happens because enough people have tried something and found that it works.

HOW FASCINATION HELPS CREATE GENIUS

2009-12-11T03:58:00.000-08:00

Some people are asking questions about the brain harmonics audio so I have answered some of the questions below:

Basically the brain harmonics audio is something you listen to, and is by far the easiest and laziest way to get a 160 IQ. All you do is listen to the sound, and your IQ will shoot up in no time. It's like a mental pump which puts your brain into mental states conducive to intelligence increase.

Also, it is NOT a meditation and there is NO voice speaking in it. All you have to do is listen to it passively and let the discoveries of science increase your IQ into the stratosphere.

For today, as promised, our topic for discussion is going to be about fascination and how it links to genius intelligence. Fascination might sound as fascinating as boring, but bear with me here, because if you really want to be a genius and have super high intelligence, this information is more valuable than GOLD.

A great secret I talked about last time is that fascination is a direct link to the subconscious mind. So the more fascinated we become in wanting to be a genius, the more that genius wants to be revealed to us. This is because the genius ideas come from the subconscious mind.

But why is this the case?, and how can we go about manipulating this process so we can become a genius in the quickest time possible?

Well, the answer is actually weird.

Fascination on its own does not bring you closer to genius. When you are fascinated about your dreams or the good things that happened in the past, nothing is going to happen, ever. Yes, you read that right. NOTHING.

However, when you decide and become fascinated IN THE PRESENT, you are LIVING IN THE MOMENT. And when you LIVE IN THE MOMENT, you FREE YOURSELF from the LIMITATIONS, CROOKEDNESS and PROBLEMS OF THE PAST so that you can develop completely unique ways of thinking.

And this is where the real genius of Einstein, Tesla, Kant, Gates, Bonaparte etc etc etc etc comes into play:

*********

When you live in the moment and take a genuine interest in
life in general the subconscious mind will take over and give
you the much need inspiration, ideas and GENIUS that you
need when you act towards your goals.

*********

There are no ifs, and there are no buts to this rule. What you see above is law. Read it again and then read it again because BILLIONS of people are going to die without knowing it or realising its true value!

You see, every single person out there has a goal, a wish or a desire to achieve something in life. 99% of those people will do absolutely nothing to achieve that something, and therefore get nothing in return. What a complete and colossal loss!

The majority of people fail because they were trying to win the game of life without even bothering to buy a ticket to take part!!!

You see, you buy a ticket to take part and direct life when you live in the moment and the now. Here's why: to go from A to B, you have to go FROM A to B. You dont go to B straight away. You have to go from A!!

Let me explain it further. To drive 100 miles to another city, you do not see the whole 100 miles journey in your eye vision all at once. You simply see THE IMMEDIATE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE PRESENT.

What's more is that in order for you to travel the 100 miles, you HAVE TO GIVE YOUR MENTAL FOCUS AND ATTENTION ONLY TO THE ROAD DIRECTLY AHEAD OF YOU. I never see the whole road or the whole journey or EVEN
THE END GOAL!!! I only see the immediate road ahead of me!!

And there lies the secret.

Your mind controls and defines your life just as it allows you to direct the car, so the mind needs to BE IN THE PRESENT, and BE IN THE MOMENT if we are to go along the road of life successfuly and reach our goals.

So to end this e-mail, STOP THINKING AND FANTASISING about how life is going to be in 2-3-5-10 years time. And start LIVING your life and LIVING in the moment. Stop now, and smell the roses around you, and be fascinated
for existence as whole. Learn to do this automatically and not consciously.

By being busy mentally focusing on your goals, you are simply losing your mental traction and going off course, because you didn't realise you had to go FROM HERE to there.

Just remember your goals for 3-5 minutes every day, and live in the moment and act towards you goals in the moment for the rest.

And THAT is the difference between somebody with a high IQ who dies with it having achieved 0.00000 in his life. And someone who becomes a genius with his high IQ.