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A high performance athlete knows the drill. They know exactly what is required to keep them at the top of their game,
They not only know the importance of looking after their body, of doing the required prep work; to eat well, to train hard and to get enough rest, they actually do it.
Because they know that’s what it takes to succeed.

So how about you?
You may or may not be a high performance athlete, but do you ever yearn to be able to do the work you love, to the level you know you’re capable of, and feel the satisfaction of achieving a job well done?

Because that is what you can look forward to by developing your own high performance brain, a brain that you invest the time, effort and energy into, so as to get the results you desire.

A high performance brain brings cognitive benefits including:
Focusing on what matters.
Effectively managing emotions to boost thinking skills, decision-making and performance.
Greater confidence and competence to elevate capability
Higher levels of productivity, well-being and happiness.

And just like an athlete works and challenges their body, you can achieve the same by working and challenging your brain. Because the more we use our brain, the better it gets.

So if you are serious about building a high performance brain (HPB), one that will serve you well into the future starting today, here are some tips to start you on your way.

1. Maintain cognitive stamina.
High performance brains enjoy a high level of brain fitness obtained through eating those foods that boost cognition. It’s about refuelling to lift your mood, improve memory and clarity of thinking by choosing a variety of fresh veggies, eating cold water, carnivorous fish three times a week, staying hydrated to keep those neurons hydrated, plus including some deeply pigmented berries, seeds and nuts and whole grains.

2. Rest easy.
HPB’s know the importance of adequate rest between training sessions and heavy intensity mental workouts. Start scheduling in regular 15-20 minute brain breaks throughout your day to rest, refresh and rejuvenate your brain so, it’s ready for the next bout of high quality focused work.

3. Schedule in vacation time.
A holiday gives your brain the opportunity to disassociate from regular routines. This is the time to explore and experiment, to produce new ideas and solutions to challenging problems. Some of our greatest insights come from uncoupling our mind from our regular thinking.

4. Practice flexibility.
A stiff or rigid body can’t absorb the knocks as well. Practice mental flexibility as a way of boosting collaboration, interpersonal relationships and reducing stress. In a world experiencing an increasing velocity of change, having a mind that is agile and flexible will provide the cognitive edge required to stay competitive and relevant.

5. Take out the trash.
Trying to operate a HPB surrounded by mental clutter and baggage doesn’t work. If you’ve been holding onto poor thinking skills, habits or self-limiting beliefs, it’s time to clear out the rubbish and focus on boosting efficiency and productivity. Upskilling your brain starts with the decision to make and embrace the necessary changes.

High performance brains can take a little time and effort to achieve, so why not join productivity expert Angela Lockwood and myself in a series of one hour webinars this November to help you take that first step from Frantic to Focus #F2F

You can find out more here

Dr Jenny Brockis

Dr Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner and internationally board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, workplace health and wellbeing consultant, podcaster, keynote speaker and best-selling author. Her new book 'Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life' (Wiley) is available online and at all good bookstores.

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