This is the fifth and final in a series of principles, that in order to live a fulfilled life and lead others successfully, requires committed, intentional, and consistent action. I will continue to give credit to Thom Shea as the person who introduced me to these 5 pillars. Each of us will have our own way to apply these to our lives. I view these pillars, as non-negotiable. Have you been convinced so far? Let’s see what you think about this one.
It is critical that we stay mentally engaged and challenged throughout our entire life. Our brains function much like muscles, in that to experience growth we must exercise. If we fail to exercise our brain atrophy will engage. The older we get the sooner atrophy sets in and the quicker we lose functionality. There are supplements we can consume to help, but the reality is growth requires hard work, dedication, and intentionality.
I have read the synopsis of studies and listened to neuroscientists who are much better at sighting evidence that being intellectually engaged and growing helps overcome cognitive decline as we age. I want to be like my great-grandmother and my mother. They were always mentally engaged. Every time I would see either of them, they had something to talk about and was wanting to know about the lives of those around them. They both quilted, crocheted, and knitted until weeks before they died. They were knowledgeable about current events and could carry on a conversation even in their last days.
There are a few tools I use to seek mental growth and engagement.
Long-Form Podcasts - These are gaining in popularity. I believe it is due to the desire for people to engage in more than just sound bites. There is an increasing hunger for a deeper understanding of thoughts, ideas, theories, and details around important aspects of our lives. One podcast that may be a good start is Huberman Lab. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.
Reading Books - Whether it is a digital or physical book, reading material that is more than just a few pages engages our brains in multiple ways that short-form cannot match. The plot/storyline is built and expanded upon, specific details are explored, and thoughts and ideas are challenged. While I appreciate audiobooks and podcasts, reading engages the mind more deeply and thoroughly as pages are turned and more senses are involved. Two leadership books I would highly recommend are Unbreakable by Thom Shea and Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Exercise - Yes, this is great for addressing the first pillar in this series (1 of 5 - Physical Health - Optional or Non-Negotiable?), and being physically fit helps engages us cognitively. The blood flow and nutrients necessary for intellectual growth are more abundantly delivered to our brain while we exercise and when our overall physical well-being is being addressed.
As we age and technology progresses, how are you going to grow in intellect? Will you find a creative way to implement Artificial Intelligence into your job or your daily life? Will you explore the concept around blockchain? Are you going to find new ways to partner with other professionals and provide improved services to your clients? Will you learn a new language?
We all have our unique ways of engaging intellectually. Even as an individual, the most effective tool you use today may be different than what you needed yesterday. Spend time being mentally challenged and engaged. Push through difficult concepts and ideas to gain a better understanding. You will find it rewarding. It provides an opportunity to have more conversations. When we speak humbly and intelligently about topics, others will be more open to our ideas. We can better understand those around us who have better expertise when we have a base of knowledge in the topics that interest them.
The key is growth, movement, and challenge. My tools for mental improvement are not going to be the same as yours. How I apply my tools will be different than yours. We are each uniquely and wonderfully designed. Stay engaged mentally and you will find it worth the time and effort.