🧭 How to Rewire Your Brain For Success

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Dr. Kevin Elko on the Brain

• How to Rewire your Brain for Success

• Great Posts of the Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

How to Rewire Your Brain for Success

Today, we are looking at the current epidemic of anxiety, stress, and fear, and will discuss how to rewire your brain for success. The idea for this post is based on what I am seeing and hearing more today than ever before.

Why is this relevant? Well, let’s look at the trends…

• Increased Anxiety and Depression Globally - During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 25% increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression according to the World Health Organization.

• Increased Anxiety in Youth - There has been a noticeable rise in anxiety among children and teenagers. About 20.5% of youth globally now struggle with anxiety symptoms, nearly doubling the figures reported before the COVID-19 pandemic according to the CDC.

• Different Risk Factors than Ever Before - New factors are playing into people’s mindsets than ever before, such as the increase in social media, fewer opportunities for resilience, and too much comparison with other people.

Now, take a look at the quote above from Dr. Kevin Elko (I posted it below):

“Happiness and success, we're not wired for it, not naturally. You have to see what we're wired for is safety. Our brain is naturally no different than our lungs, than our heart, than our skin, it wants to keep us alive so it's natural Velcro looking for what's bad.” ¹ - Dr. Kevin Elko

So what does this mean? It means your brain isn’t wired for success or happiness. Your brain is naturally geared towards safety and survival rather than happiness.

This is why you will remember more negative events than positive events because your brain is programmed to act like "Velcro for the negative." This happens because in prehistoric times, it would help you stay alert to threats and dangers. But in the modern world, it often leads to a cycle of anxiety and stress.

This is why we call it the “monkey mind.“ It’s the restless, uncontrollable thoughts that constantly shift from one subject to another, much like a monkey swinging from tree to tree.

When negative thoughts stick and positive ones slip away, it can trap you in loops of anxiety. Without self-awareness, these patterns can be especially tough in today’s world.

Understanding this wiring is crucial because it underscores why achieving happiness and success requires intentional effort to retrain your brain.

I say all this to say, don’t blame yourself if you can’t out-think your current thoughts. Your brain is designed to protect you, but to be successful today, you need to build better mental fitness habits.

• You have to work at it.

• You have to build the habits to move in the direction that you want.

• If you don't develop good habits intentionally, you will develop bad habits.

What does the science say?

1. Your brain’s stress response in anticipating new events can oftentimes be greater than the fear of the event itself.²

2. Your brain is wired for responsibility and control. Your body exhibits anxiety to help believe that it has control over situations.

3. The use of stress inoculation can help prepare you for stressful events and reduce anxiety.³

4. You can improve your attitude, emotional regulation, and focus with mindfulness and meditation.

So what can you do about this?

1. Improve your self-awareness - Being aware of your thoughts and your presence in the moment is the first step towards making meaningful changes in your life. When you are aware of your thoughts and how you are being in the moment then you can start to make the changes that you need to make. Habit to start: Journaling.

2. Work on Your Focus - Your life is controlled by what you focus on. Nothing happens without focus. To focus better, you need to work on the art of concentration, eliminating distractions, and being present. It’s a skill that we have to re-master due to the world of instant gratification and phones. Habits to start: Meditation and Mindfulness.

3. Understand your self-talk - The internal dialogue you maintain significantly shapes your perceptions and reactions. Know the phrases and dialogue that help you feel a certain way.

   • Thoughts influence feelings and emotions.

   • Thoughts, feelings, and emotions influence behaviors.

   • Thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors influence performance.

     Habit to start: Journaling.

4. Make Growth a Habit - Your mindset defines how you experience life. When you look to grow and continue to learn, you set yourself up for a happier and more fulfilling life because you focus on the journey. Habit to start: Continually learn from people of wisdom.

5. Make a plan - Having a concrete plan for when anxiety, fear, and stress arise can make all the difference. This plan could involve specific relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or a short walk. Identify what triggers your stress and use “If → Then” statements to prepare how you will handle these moments more effectively.

6. Create a Theme for 2024 - Setting a personal theme for the year can provides focused direction for you. This theme could be anything from "Year of Resilience" to "Embracing Change" or "Cultivating Joy." Let this theme guide your decisions and help in those challenging moments. It helps maintain focus, making it easier to measure progress and stay motivated.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and there’s a lot to this. It’s also much easier said than done. Start small by implementing 1-2 of these habits for only 5 minutes per day. Over time, build it. To change the way you think, you need to change what you do. We’ll be diving deeper into some of these topics in upcoming weeks.

Note: This information is not medical advice; please consult a professional for guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Sources:

1 - The True Habits, Rituals, & Discipline of High Performers with Dr. Kevin Elko | Steve Rozenberg

2 - The Social Readjustment Rating Scale by Holmes and Rahe

3 - Stress Inoculation Training by Donald Meichenbaum

Helpful Links:

• How to Reduce Anxiety and Negative Self-Talk

• How Mindfulness Improves Performance and Health

• The Art and Science of Meditation

• Habits Explained (by James Clear and Kobe Bryant)

Great Posts from the Week

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