Life Changing Tools

1. READ! - There’s no better way to expand your vocabulary than to expose yourself to more than just the evening news. Your brain works like a computer…it learns by programming. The more you read, the more “refined” that programming becomes. The daily newspaper is a great start, but more sophisticated magazines can expand your realm of knowledge quite quickly.

2. Learn something new! - This may sound like an obvious tip, but it’s very often that the world around us presents us with the opportunity to learn, but we never take the time to do it. For example, do you know why the tension exists between the Shia and Sunni Muslims in the Middle East? You hear about it on the evening news every day…but take the time to investigate it! It may only take 10 or 15 minutes, but you’ll be smarter for it.

3. Solve a difficult puzzle - I have a particular suggestion for this…why not learn to solve the Rubix Cube? Maybe you used to know the solution, but time has dulled your memory. Well, re-learn it! The solution to the Cube involves algorithms and patterns, as well as spatial reasoning. In my opinion, this guy has created a top-notch video explaining the solution:

4. Play some NINTENDO! - Actually, NintendDS…The company recently released a “game” called BrainAge, which is a clever way to make brain exercise a little more fun! It’s filled with little games, puzzles, and tests which help you to improve your mental capacity. It’s fun! So grab that NintendoDS from your kid’s room when he or she’s asleep, and play your way to a better brain!

5. Fociz! - It’s another game…but this one’s online! AND FREE! It’s a great tool…check it out!

6. Eat healthy. - The most important part of intelligence is…your brain! And if your brain isn’t healthy, how can you expect your intelligence to improve? The proper food for your brain is like gasoline for your car…put in the wrong stuff, and you’ll be going nowhere fast. Be sure to eat a good breakfast. It’s something you hear all the time, because it’s true. You need the energy to get your mind working, and the morning is the best time to start filling up with gasoline!

7. Exercise - OK, so this one is a bit of a cheat. It goes along with eating healthy, but it’s so important, it needs its own number on this list! Exercising does more to improve intelligence than you could ever know. It allows you to take in more oxygen, trains your body to function at an optimal level, and clears your mind. The more you exercise, the more you are able to take in and absorb…both physically and mentally!

8. Minimize Mindless Tasks. - There are a lot of activities we do each day which don’t exactly require our full mental abilities. These include watching TV, showering, and anything else that you do on “autopilot”. Sometimes, this can even include driving, which is a little scary (have you ever been driving along, only to realize that you don’t remember your last couple of miles? Pretty scary, huh?). These are the types of activities which involve very little mental focus and concentration. And as with anything else, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Try to spend more time doing things that involve problem solving and focus, and less TV watching.

9. No calculators! - Math is not exactly fun…and the temptation to use that calculator for everyday math problems is always hard to ignore. But next time you can manage it, do the math yourself. Even better, if you can, do it in your head! The more you do this, the easier it will become, and your intelligence will become sharper and more adaptable because of it.

10. Sleep on it. - Sleep isn’t just for physical health. It’s a major factor in your mental health as well…so don’t ignore your sleep needs, if you want to be on top of your game mentally. Think about it…the last time you woke up groggy, how mentally sharp were you? Probably wouldn’t be ready to tackle that Rubix Cube that day, huh? Find your optimum sleep pattern, and stick to it.Follow these simple tips, and you’re well on your way to improved intelligence!

Stumble it!