Last week I had the pleasure of attending a workshop run by behavioural scientist Milo-Arne (Milo) Wilkinson and hosted by the women’s-led business community, Business Chicks. Focusing on the brain, its functionality and its impact on personal and professional outcomes, Milo spoke to the power of intention. Yes, scientifically the brain is a mass of 75% water, some fat and protein - in reality, it is much more. To be it, the brain is our central hub for thoughts, decisions and performance. Focusing on leveraging this organ and fulfilling its full potential is a key force for achieving goals.
With this in mind (no pun intended), here are three key take-aways that can help improve your mental performance.
1. Challenge yourself: Taking 10 minutes out of your day, three times a week to undertake a mentally stimulating and challenging task can help build mental strength and make new things a learnt experience. If you are trying to adopt a new skill or understand a new system at work, lean into this experience intently as the more you do this – the more critically it will ‘fit’.
2. Identify your best mental ‘flow’ time: As Milo puts it, the biggest decisions of life often need to happen in the first part of the day. As time goes on, us humans loose mental ‘bars’ and our mental performance deteriorates. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. If you are someone who finds they are most switched on in the afternoon, pinpoint this and capitalise. Maximum mental capacity lasts for 4 hours and attention span lasts around 50 minutes. So, block out this time and take interval breaks.
3. Restore your surge capacity: In a natural state your brain comprises of 27% positive, thrive thoughts and 73% risk control and survival thoughts. In the current state of global pandemic, it is innate that our survival thoughts have increased, and positivity has decreased. In order to thrive more and perform better, it is integral that you take time to restore your surge capacity by doing things you enjoy. Of course, if you are like me you take joy out of doing your job, however there is strong value in intentionally taking time out of your day to have some other fun. So, take your lunch break and get that walk in – your mental performance will reap benefits.
If you wish to learn more about Milo, her website is https://www.milowilkinson.com/resources
Also, if you are a woman in business, I highly recommend you become part of the community at Business Chicks. I am fortunate enough to have an employer who sees the benefit in this amazing community.
Isabelle Petrie
Consultant
T +61 3 9949 8100 D +61 3 9949 8107 M +61 402 696 393
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