The brain is the most complex piece of kit in the universe, yet we hardly pay any attention to how it operates, let alone how to optimize it. We need to build better habits of mind.
Luckily, we are in a golden age of neuroscience. Recent advances have allowed us to look inside the brain in an unprecedented way.
We’ve learned more in the past 2 decades about how the brain actually works than in the previous 2,000 years.
We now know how to literally change our brains. We owe it to ourselves to do so with purpose and intentionality.
Both out of curiosity and also for my work as a strategic advisor, I’ve spent the last 10 years reading and researching in the areas of evolutionary psychology, behavioral economics, happiness studies, sleep science, habit formation, peak performance, and neuroscience. Now, I’m packaging all of that knowledge for what I call “Neuro-Optimization” into infographics like this one, but also a forthcoming newsletter and eventually an online course.
The bio-hackers out there will flash on the word “optimization” and assume that it only relates to becoming “better” – better leaders, employees, athletes, parents, spouses. But I want you to think hard about what you want to *optimize for*; certainly, these tips and tricks will improve your performance, but I’d be even happier if you use these tools to increase your levels of happiness and contentment – what Aristotle called “Eudaemonia”. So come for the life-hacking, but stay for the promise of finding greater well-being – through neuroscience.
I want people to understand their biology so that they can use it like a technology. That knowledge can and should be harnessed to help people lead more fulfilling and successful lives.
You don’t need performance-enhancing drugs to perform better and be happier. You just need to learn how to work with the drugs we naturally have coursing through our brain and body.
So follow me on a weekly Brain Boot Camp, where I promise to share with you the best science-backed strategies for success and happiness.