Mind hacking is a method for overcoming fear, achieving serenity, and conquering my obstacles. With practice, I can effectively rewire my brain.
“My mindset allows me to conquer all my obstacles, real or imagined.”
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION
Mind hacking turns my brain into a tool for success
Conventional wisdom holds that we are born with certain traits and personalities. But for decades research has shown that our traits and personalities are very malleable. Sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through injury, and sometimes by willpower, people have the ability to change the way they think, behave, and respond.
“Mind hacking” is actively working to change the way the brain behaves to achieve an improved result. It has been in practice for thousands of years. Meditation, religion, public education, military training, and criminal punishment are all ways used to change the thought processes and the behaviors of people.
I want my brain to be better. I want to make better choices and experience more serenity. My brain will help me succeed in that goal. Just as exercise and diet will improve my body, getting into my brain’s pathways and neuro shortcuts will improve my mind, my mood, my discipline, and my focus.
My brain is the most powerful tool I have to make major life changes. I have underutilized my brain and its power. During the next 16 weeks, I am going to make fundamental changes in how I use my mind’s capabilities.
Meditation is the best method for mind hacking
Willingly making changes to how I think, feel, and respond is best done through mindfulness meditation.
Meditation is the single most powerful way to alter not just thoughts and habits, but brainwaves and physical brain structure. Meditation alters the composition of the brain’s white and gray matter. It thickens the tissues of the brain associated with attention and focus. Mindfulness meditation alters brainwaves, leading to greater awareness and control over emotions and reactions.
These are all things I need to develop. I have meditated inconsistently for years. I have learned that I need a practice that improves both my mindset and changes my physical brain. My brain can feel like a kettle on low heat and constantly simmering. When something stressful cranks up the temperature, I am apt to go from simmer to boil in a second. I’d love to train myself to bring my baseline temperament down from a constant bubbling to a lukewarm. That would reduce the flash reaction I experience when I go from stress to tantrum.
Research shows that a better-used brain lasts longer, too. It may counter age-related mental issues such as dementia, memory loss, and depression.
Mindpower is a limited resource
Another fact seems undisputed: the brain’s ability to perform at high levels is finite but trainable. Just like the human body, the brain will fatigue and mistakes will happen. Performance will be lessened and periods of rest in order to recuperate will be longer. Mindfulness meditation improves these factors through strengthening focus and increasing attention. Just as a professional athlete’s body will perform better for longer because of their training, so a well-exercised brain will perform better for longer periods of time.
Recognizing that my brain’s power is not infinite, yet is trainable, makes it possible for me to improve cognitive skills and remain in states of calm and clarity.
That is why a daily meditation practice not only trains my brain, it increases my reserve energy and mindpower.
Mind hacking changes triggers and reactions
When I take my mind of simmering, ready-to-explode mode, I have more time to respond and usually make better decisions. Meditation and mind hacking shifts decision-making to a different part of my brain, leading to more rational and considered choices.
People with PTSD and other trauma use mindfulness meditation to heal their triggering responses. It can also train the brain to respond differently to certain triggers and cues that improve well-being.
Being able to control impulses is a major thing for me since so many of my problems stem from impulse control issues. Tinkering with my brain’s response methods can make it easier for me to stay on task, achieve goals, and think before I act.
Rewire my brain to make better decisions
In my goal to go mind hacking, I want to not only restructure my brain’s physical structure and neuro paths, but I also want to improve my focus and concentration. I think that rewiring my brain will make me calmer and improve my willpower so that I can achieve the tasks I set for myself. Over time I believe this will create a positive thought loop that will make me more confident, more intelligent, more aware, and less subject to depression and emotional fatigue.
There is really nothing I can do with my body without my mind’s cooperation. Mind hacking will let me make better decisions, from a better vantage. This will lead to better results and more long-term success. With no one to mentor or train me, it is all on me to learn and execute. But I’m mostly inside my own head anyway.
