Better Brain Function Through Expectation

If you want better brain function, start by asking yourself if you are intelligent. What answer comes to mind? Consider your IQ level, but also ask how well you use your brainpower. Can you solve problems easily and creatively? Can you think clearly?

Whatever you think and feel about these questions, those thoughts and feelings will have an effect on your brain function. Some still argue that basic intelligence is unchangeable after childhood (not true), but we can all agree that some people use that brainpower better than others. Psychology plays a role.

Brain Function And Psychology

I know a man who never graduated high school, yet makes very good money in his business. Is the fact that he spent much of his childhood with wealthy kids and their families a coincidence? No.

His rich friends did not give him money, by the way, nor did they help him in his business. Ultimately, how they helped him is by altering his expectations. He expects to find a way to make a certain amount of money. He feels that a certain level of income is normal, and so his mind will always try to find a way to push him towards that level.

Here is another example of expectation altering brain function for the better. I used to read the occasional book on chess puzzles. Checkmate in four moves, the puzzle might say, and the reader has to find it. Of course, I would look until I found it, because I knew the solution was there.

However, I used to think those elegant solutions were not often possible in real games. Then, after doing enough of these puzzles, I started to look for them. I started to find them more often too. Without the expectation of finding them, I had previously settled for less worthy moves.

How do these examples relate to improving your brain function? Directly: Expect to increase your brain power, and you are far more likely to. Think of yourself as a problem solver, and you'll find more solutions. Consider yourself a creative person, and you'll express more creativity.

Changing Your Expectations

Do you think you can improve in these areas? If you are not sure, you still can. Minus the expectation, you can at least leave open the possibility, and look for the evidence. This, in my opinion, is a much better way than standing in front of a mirror repeating positive affirmations. It is also easier.

What we look for, we tend to find. This is the key to changing your expectations. You can prove this to yourself in almost any area. For example, watch for generous people for a few days, and make a mental note to yourself each time you see one. You'll start to see them all over. Then watch for greedy or selfish people for a few days, and you'll begin to see them all over. You'll get the point.

How do you apply this to increasing your brainpower? Find your successes. When you learn something new, write it down even. List problem-solving successes, and you'll start to have more of them. See how creative you already are, and you'll soon have even more creativity.

Evidence is more convincing than affirmation. Just start finding examples of progress, however large or small. Then focus on them, and remember them, and watch for more. Start doing this now, and soon you'll see that your brain function is improving.