BRAIN TRAIT TO BRAIN STATE

For consistent performance and optimistic outlook, the brain learns best when positive experiences are reinforced.

This is how a brain state —confidence, happiness, self-esteem, performance— becomes a brain trait — how your brain comes to function in all circumstances.

In order to counter the negativity bias and help a brain state to become a brain trait, we need to not only activate the brain state, we need to install it.

HOW?

1. ACTIVATE THE PROCESS

• What went well?

  • Emphasize what worked. Focusing on what was successful gives your brain a hit of dopamine. This feel good chemical reinforces the desired behavior and body memory.

Then, for this positive state to become a brain trait you have to go a step further and actively install it.

2. INSTALL THE EVENT

• “ HEAL”

  • Have a beneficial experience (activate).

  • Enrich it -help it become big and lasting. Name it, relive it, review it (video).

  • Absorb it- Feel it. Visualize it. Enjoy it. Feel the reward of it. Spend 20 seconds of focus on it.

  • Link it - to what feels good. Friends, accomplishment, perseverance, hard work.

Doing this with every positive performance, event, situation will begin to lay down neural networks of positivity, reward, and success. These networks become a positive default system, a brain trait, when you approach challenging situations. You become wired for “I CAN”.