plastic brain and optimal mindset

Neuroplasticity

What is it? Breaking the word down there is Neuro which is for "neuron", being the nerve cells in our brains. Then plastic which is for the changeable and modifiable nature of the neurons. Together they form "neuroplasticity" which refers to our brains ability to change and re-organise itself. Presto! The anatomy of the brain is not fixed, it can change.

Neuroplasticity benefits

The fact that our brains are plastic should be great news for everyone. Our minds are malleable, its plastic. If people go about their lives mindfully and intentionally improving a skill, learn something, reading, going to therapy, or whatever with that knowledge I think people will be more motivated to continue. ultimately they will reap the benefits from that. Just the knowledge, that our brains can be changed, can improve performance. How amazing! In addition, if we don't regularly practice our chosen craft then our brains will make space and prune away the hard acquired neurons: "use it, or lose it". That might just motivate us be even more deliberate and disciplined. But hey, that is just our brains doing its thing. Changing itself.

In effect "we become what we repeatedly do". Every thought and action shapes our brain, it strengthens the neural path ways. Therefore we need to be mindful of what activities we engage in and the thoughts we entertain.

Neuroplasticity principles and implementation

Some of the neuroplasticity principles, and how it can implemented into my life, are the following:

  • Remind myself that my brain can change. The skills and knowledge I possess now can be developed and build upon. My brain isn't fixed, its plastic.
  • "Use it or lose it" - practice your skills everyday. Use something that you have learned a few times so that it becomes part of your long term memory. If you don't use it you will lose it.
  • Repetition - to change your brain you need sufficient repetition. Repeat until it becomes muscle memory. But don't be mindless! Experiment, pay attention, and comprehend what you're learning. This will strengthen the neural pathways.
  • "Cells that fire together wire together!" - when you perform some task that calls upon other areas of your knowledge as well it will strengthen your connections. Don't just look at concepts in isolation, see if you can connect them in a broader context. Basically I live for those AHA! moments.

Ways to increase Neuroplasticity

Not only are our brains plastic there are ways to increase our brains' neuroplasticity. Watch this video to discover some easy, actionable ways that I will be using to increase mine:

Growth mindset - what is it?

Growth mindset is the belief system that your abilities, talents and intelligence are not fixed; they can be developed and improved with deliberate practice. It also offers a different perspective on the challenges we face. When we face complex issues, and fail, we automatically think of failure as an exposure of our lack of talent and intelligence. A different way of thinking about failures is that it merely reveals our intelligence and capabilities at that given moment; it can be improved. That is a growth mindset. In the context of programming having a growth mindset is going to be the key to success. Learning to program is a monumental task. Its a deep rabbit hole that you can get lost in. Early on you will be slammed with your own inadequacies. But a reminder now then that you are learning, developing, growing, and on the road to becoming a programmer can help. Keep in mind that you are not yet a full fledged programmer, but by persisting, before long, you will be.

This graphic from Carol Dweck's book "Mindset", summarises the two different mindsets up well:

Growth mindset and my learning journey

To always just have a growth mindset can be difficult, so I will follow Jame Clear's advice: I will develop and strengthen my growth mindset through tiny actions and victories. Start small and solve problems. With time, through action, I can cultivate the desired mindset.

Next, the stories we tell ourselves is also important. We can influence our thoughts and ultimately change our lives because those very thoughts can change our brains. At times, when I face difficulty, I would have thoughts of inadequacy or not feeling capable. That is my default fixed mindset setting. But through self awareness I can capture those thoughts and change them. Essentially I need to tell myself a different story each times this happens. From time to time I need remind myself that:

"My mind is not fixed it can change; my intelligence and abilities can be developed. I need to embrace challenges and persist through obstacles because that exerted effort combined with deliberate practice is the path to mastery. Whenever I receive feedback: learn from it. See others success not as my failure but take inspiration from them and use that to propel yourself forward. The hand you are dealt with is only the starting point of your development. When you fail, remember to give yourself a "not yet" grade."