When you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep at night, you have bad decision-making capability. – Dr. Daniel Amen
As a kid, I remember hearing someone say, “If you had any brains, you’d be dangerous.” Now, let’s be clear, it was not said to me … only in my hearing to some other unfortunate child.
How important is your brain?
Obviously, the human brain is very important as it governs everything we do. What we think? How we feel? How we get along with another person? From a leadership development perspective improved support of the brain will help us be better leaders.
This week, I point you to an article by brain expert Daniel Amen, M.D., Develop a Leader’s Mind. In this brief article, he identifies five essentials to optimum brain health: sleep, food, exercise, activity, and positivity.
The five essentials of brain support
Leadership is demanding.
It requires effort to accept personal responsibility, to show up in an unselfish way, to live with integrity, to push through the resistance. And then, to join with others to accomplish and achieve something that matters whether at work, home or in the community.
How do we support ourselves by supporting our brain?
- Sleep – Want to make better decisions, have forethought, impulse control, better planning, or learn from your mistakes? Get at least seven hours of sleep.
- Exercise – Want to enjoy bonding, passion, and motivation? Get the blood flowing, walk four times a week and include some muscle toning.
- Activity – Learning something new makes new connections in your brain; are you committed to lifelong learning?
- Food – Are you focused, vibrant, happy, and trim or unfocused, sluggish, sad, and overweight?
- Positivity – How well do you talk back to those negative thoughts that come uninvited?
Your brain rules your world and your world will be a better place as you support your brain in healthy ways.
Again, I encourage you to read the full article and then determine ONE thing you will do in support of your brain.
Please forward to a friend or colleague.
Pick up your copy of my new book:
THE PEOPLE PROJECT:
Your Guide to Changing Behavior and Growing Your Influence as a Leader
Leave a Reply