Battle Brain Drain

The world is finally coming around to the idea that brainpower is essential. Sure, certain muscleheads and neanderthals may still buy in to the old outdated cliches regarding those who open a book once in a while. But society has progressed to the point where brute strength doesn’t count for much any more. It certainly doesn’t command a whole lot of money! More than ever, it’s intelligence and knowledge that can take you place in today’s information age.

You can begin flexing your cerebellum at any time, with some simple tips. Theoretical smarts are one thing, but the ability to apply what you know to help solve everyday problems is what really matters these days. It’s a skill that can be learned. Try the following:

1. Put your mind to the test

Scientific tests have clearly shown that those who immediately practice the skills they’ve learned are more likely to apply that knowledge than those who, for example, read through a text, even repeatedly. The fact is people learn by doing. Read enough to understand the principles of the task at hand, and then begin learning by doing. After just a couple of runs through the process on a practical level, you’ll come to grasp intuitively what, otherwise, you’d only know theoretically, and quickly forget.

2. Read for speed

One can learn to speed the process of assimilating knowledge. The faster you can process the information that stimulates your mind, the more effective and productive your creative thinking will become. You’ll have reams of facts and information at your fingertips. Speed-reading isn’t only about raw speed. Sure, it’ll help you get through that book in a single night instead of an entire week. But it also exercises your mental processes in general. Learn to filter what you read, to separate the wheat from the chaff. Isolate the main ideas, and the overall structure of the text. Humans are not computers; you’re not going to learn to remember, photographically, every page you lay eyes on. But it is a proven fact that the human mind can be trained to read at amazing speeds, with enough practice.

3. Use supplements sparingly

Some of those memory-strengthening medications and energy supplements you hear about may have some effect, even those specially engineered for kids. But anyone who thinks they’re going to swallow a miracle pill and increase their intelligence overnight is in for a rude awakening. Supplements are precisely that—supplements to learning. And learning involves training, hard work, and repetition. Steer clear of those things that can counteract the positive effects of supplements, whether it’s cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, or narcotics, as these harmful substances can damage the brain over the course of your life.

4. Do the math

Throw that calculator aside! Ever notice how we resort to mental crutches in this age of technology? Why not challenge yourself to do those calculations in your head? Your mind is a much more powerful machine than even your desktop computer. Train your brain with simple math exercises, and you’ll see benefits across the board. Learn to think precisely and logically.

5. Think in the abstract

Learn to use logic to think in abstract and analytical fashions. Practice makes perfect, but thinking theoretically can help you learn how to attack complicated problems in real life. Any local bookstore offers countless books that will help you learn and practice logic—most of them include games and quizzes, and can be more engaging and challenging than you might suspect. Pick one up, and entertain yourself during that bus ride, or those spare moments during a snack break.

Don’t allow your brain to be drained. It’s an incredible machine, with powers you may not even be aware of yourself. Allow it to live up to its potential, by giving it a regular workout.