Wednesday, January 27, 2016

My Interview on "Inspire Nation"


I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Michael Sandler for the "Inspire Nation" podcast on the subject of "How to Upgrade Your Brain for Greater Success, Happiness and Well-Being."

Michael and I had a great conversation about the potential that all of us have for upgrading our brain at any age, with the basis being the research that Donna Wilson and I uncovered when writing our book, Positively Smarter: Science and Strategies for Increasing Happiness, Achievement and Well-Being. We talked about a broad range of subjects, from the importance of the Body-Brain connection to the innate talent paradigm to the effect that a positive state of mind has on our ability to be successful. The podcast is available in 151 countries.

The audio show is currently available on iTunes at this link. For those who don't have iTunes or who have an Android phone, the podcast can be accessed here.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Let’s Keep Positive Practical Learning Front of Mind in 2016!


by Guest Blogger Donna Wilson

Happy 2016! I look forward to engaging with educators throughout the year at conferences, seminars, and other events.

For my first post of the new year, I'd like to stress something that every educator should keep front of mind for 2016: the now-proven principle that virtually every human brain has the potential to learn and change throughout the lifespan. In fact, researchers are reporting that learning actually changes the structure and function of your brain.

Whether you are traveling to exciting new destinations in 2016, learning new teaching strategies, reading a book, playing a new game, or stretching your mind in a new job, YOU are a learning machine.

In the past, it was thought that brain development stopped sometime during our youth. At one time, it was said to be the age of 12. In the last several decades (with an emphasis on early childhood), there has even been confusion leading the uninformed to say that important development ceases even earlier. However, it is now known that adults can  create new brain cells and make connections across their entire lifespans. So, it is critically important to keep learning.