If my brain was a Google map…
What if my brain was a Google map (or an Apple map or some other digital map)?
If my brain was a Google map, then I should be able to just enter in the desired location and let my brain take me there. That would be simple, right?
But is it that simple?
Well, I’m beginning to think it really is that simple. I just need to ensure optimal use of my brain.
How can I do that?
One way is to follow the advice of Faye Begeti, author of The Phone Fix:
“Create a focus warm-up routine before your deep work sessions… With repetition, your brain will associate these actions with the need to prepare for deep focus and use them as reminders to shift gear.”
It really does help!
Phil Parker, author of Get the Life You Love, Now, states that repetition needs to be both congruent and consistent, in order to activate the maximum amount of positive neurological connections, as this will make the change become permanent.
“‘Congruency’ means saying or doing something and ensuring that what you’re saying and doing matches how you are doing it.” (p.125)
That means being aware of what I’m saying and doing matches how I am doing it. Easier said than done? This is definitely more challenging. Speaking of which, let me sit up straight and drop my shoulders again.
I like to think about this as priming my brain to be optimal.
Another way of optimizing my brain is to ensure that I am clear on what is meaningful to me – so it doesn’t leave that decision to mindless chance. For example, my brain will seek out my childhood memories which have been proven to be somewhat inaccurate, or other beliefs which are based on “incomplete, outdated or biased information.” That is, if I’m letting my subconscious do the talking. So, it is best to be intentional about that.
Think about the power of writing down your goals – consciously and intentionally. This is a practice my husband and I engage in every five years or so. We write down our goals and then they miraculously become reality… which is why we have to keep coming up with new goals to work towards.
What is it about my optimal brain which makes this happen?
I think there might be a few ways in particular which help turn goals into reality – and this is how I am currently thinking about it:
In the first instance, I come up with a goal in my mind (aka. a thought). I decide this is meaningful to me.
Then I write that meaningful thought down for my brain (and me) to see it more clearly. It’s not just in my head now.
Now that my brain can see the goal clearly, it activates my reticular activating system (RAS) to look for that which I deemed meaningful, and it begins to ignore all else. This is what is known as the RAS’ habituation role (one of many) as described by Wikipedia:
“This is a process in which the brain learns to ignore repetitive, meaningless stimuli while remaining sensitive to others. A good example of this is a person who can sleep through loud traffic in a large city, but is awakened promptly due to the sound of an alarm or crying baby.”
But enough about loud traffic, crying babies, and alarms. Let’s stay focused on my goal!
I keep that goal in mind, leaning into it where I can.
I am now able to see information and opportunities which come my way which are in support of my goal. A friend shares an article or social post with me. A blog post shows up in my email. I am drawn to a LinkedIn post. Conversations further enlighten me.
And so on.
Until one day, many days later, I stop and realize I have just achieved what I had hoped to achieve. I will stand amazed and marvel at what must seem like a miracle. Once I get over the thrill of accomplishment, I know it is time to set a new goal.
I start this process all over again.
So, maybe my brain really is a Google map afterall. I better take good care of it!
Are you curious now?
Where would you like your brain to take you today?
Give it a try.
Resources
Begeti, Faye. 2024. The Phone Fix. London, UK: Head of Zeus, Ltd. p. 200 of 356
Doidge, Norman. 2016. The Brain’s Way of Healing. USA: Penguin Random House.
Parker, Phil. 2013. Get the Life You Love, Now: How to Use the Lightning Process Toolkit for Happiness and Fulfilment. UK: Hay House. p. 137
Image is a screenshot of the largest zoom out possible on Google Maps on my laptop.
