“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
– Albert Einstein
You can enter you genius in many different ways.
See… you have tools and resources within you, waiting to see the light of day.
So, for the times when you need your genius, here’s how to enter it.
1. Through your Breath
“Twenty percent of the oxygen you breathe is used by your brain.”
– Belisa Vranich
Breathing makes you think better. Your brain needs oxygen!
How? Breath slowly & steady. Make sure you get as much air out of your lungs as possible.
2. Through your Body
“There is fascinating data regarding neural changes induced by exercise, which span the gamut from increases in brain volume (both gray and white matter), nerve growth factors, blood flow, functional and structural connections, and even new neurons being born. Perhaps not surprisingly, this neural plasticity is accompanied by a host of cognitive benefits, a claim that has been supported by several meta-analysis studies.”
– Adam Gazzaley & Larry D. Rosen
How? Just move. Dance. Do pushups, jumping jacks, especially when you need to enter your genius.
3. Through your Imagination
“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
– Albert Einstein
Envision the future you want to experience.
Before a meeting, imagine how you want it to look like, what might happen and how you can make it better.
This is not setting up for disappointment, it’s more of a practice in active anticipation for the future, being more aware of your power to do things really well. YOu just have to know what that looks like to you.
Live in active anticipation for the future you want to create.
How? WOOP it! (Idea from “Rethinking Positive Thinking” by Gabriele Oettingen)
Follow the woop-process in your imagination:
1. Wish: What is your wish?
2. Outcome: What are the positive outcomes?
3. Obstacles: What are some inner and outer obstacles that might stand in the way if you attaining the Wish?
4. Plan: What will you do to overcome these obstacles?
After 20 years of researching the effects of what is called “Mental Contrasting” and mixing it with “Implementation Intentions”, they have found that… it works…
4. Through Positive Emotions
There is something called “The Broaden and build theory.”
In short, it proves that we get wiser, healthier and think more creatively when we experience positive emotions.
So, when you need to enter your genius zone, do something that makes you feel loved, appreciated, proud, well, excited… and see what happens with the performance.
How? Do a happy dance, call a friend, listen to music you love, do something you’re passionate about. Do something that you know will make you grounded and feeling like a billion buckies. Just make sure your method is sustainable. 🙂
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These are some of the best ways I know of to enter your genius zone.
But of course you will have your own little strategies as well.
Try them out and see what works best for you.
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With love.
– Daniel Galovan
DANIEL GALOVAN 