Neuroplasticity

Remembering that intensity and the hard parts are actually the points where I am learning the most. Just because I struggle with something now doesn’t mean I always will & I will actually learn faster/more effectively if I recognise that I WILL know the thing at some point.

• Meditation: teaches you to notice when your brain is going down the same pathways and helps reset the brain.
• Exercises such as goal setting, self-reflection, etc.
• Growth mindset.
• Surrounding yourself with people who inspire/motivate you.
• Taking care of your physical health (exercise, sleep).
• Learning & practicing new things, e.g. music, art, coding ;), reading a book on an unfamiliar topic, a different language.
• Not to be That Guy (I’m not a guy anyway) but psychedelics - under careful conditions, like with a spiritual guide or clinician & obviously in places where that is legal.

• Second Wind Movement - this is a guide to increasing your neuroplasticity that I thought had some good ideas.
• How to Change Your Mind - I didn’t actually watch the video but I read Michael Pollan’s book and it’s really good. There is also a Netflix doco on this.
• Benefits of Vipassana - this is an article about Vipassana meditation benefits.

I see a growth mindset as something closely linked to neuroplasticity. A growth mindset is where you consciously maintain an attitude that your skill, talent, and capacity can change/improve over time.

It is SUPER relevant because we are doing this tricky AS course where not everybody has experience with coding or is that into problem solving. Instead of feeling stink about being in that position, anyone with a growth mindset will do really well in this course.

Growth mindsets are awesome beyond the scope of this course as well. Knowing how much we can learn and achieve over time will take us all super far in whatever areas we choose. Yaass.

I saw a few comments in my research around how our beliefs about ourselves impact the people around us - especially if you’re a teacher/trying to help someone learn something. I don’t think it really surprised me but it resonates a lot.

Also something that I already “knew” but the reminder is always welcome: mistakes are not a sign of failure, they are the best opportunities to learn.

I am one of those people who, when I have my Fixed Mindset Hat on, assumes that I am learning best when I am perfect at things straight away. Which makes it frustrating when I hit parts that are new. A growth mindset will help me a lot in recognising how the hard parts are the BEST parts.

• Psychology Today: Growth Mindset this article on growth mindsets is really thorough and useful.

What I have learned about neuroplasticity and the growth mindset will strengthen my learning plan. It will be good to maintain exercises that keep my neuroplasticity nice and plasticky.