Move and Groove 49 - Transform

In junior high, my buddy and I used to do magic and juggling shows. We taught ourselves how to juggle and how to do some magic tricks and patter from all the magic books we could get our hands on.

We performed at elementary schools and also did table magic at a restaurant. It was fun interacting with kids and seeing their surprise.

Since those days, I have taught dozens of people how to juggle. It's a fun hobby and party trick.

It doesn't matter how old or agile you are - as long as you are physically able, I can teach you how to juggle three balls.

You see, if you juggle, your brain will wire you to be a juggler.

It's that simple.

How does this amazing capacity for transformation work?

Neuroscience Nugget

We used to think our brains were "fixed" after childhood. That theory has been completely turned on its head. A fascinating study by Draganski et al. (2004) in Nature watched what happened to people's brains as they learned to juggle.

After three months of training:

• Participants' brains physically grew in areas related to visual movement
• These changes occurred regardless of age
• When they stopped juggling, the changes reversed
• When they started again, the brain transformed faster than the first time

Your brain is constantly remodeling itself based on what you do repeatedly. It's like having a construction crew that works 24/7, building new neural highways for skills you practice and demolishing roads you don't use.

The ability to form and rewire new synaptic connections is called neuroplasticity.

Transformation isn't just psychological – it creates physical changes in your brain's architecture.

Pep Talk

Ready to be your brain's architect? Here's the blueprint for transformation:

Small actions create big changes when repeated consistently. Your brain responds to regular practice faster than occasional heroic efforts.

Want to become more innovative? Spend 10 minutes each day thinking creatively. Your brain will literally build new pathways for innovative thinking.

Remember, transformation goes both ways. Your brain is either growing or pruning connections right now, based on what you're doing. Make sure you're feeding it the experiences you want to become.

The best part? Your brain maintains its transformative potential throughout your life. It's never too late to learn that new language, develop that leadership skill, or reinvent yourself.

Now move, groove, and transform!

Be well,

Eric

P.S. Enjoy these resources on your journey:

• Winning at Work - our signature course on doing your best work, while feeling great at the same time. Access the promotion and get $300 off, 1 hour coaching, and surprise bonuses.
• Be Well Mind - blogs on neuroscience, sports science, and performance.
• Schedule a free call - enjoy a powerful one hour coaching session for free.
• Group Flow Checklist - improve your team's ability to enter group flow for more productivity, innovation, and joy.
• Friday Afternoon Strategy Hack - when your competition is choosing where to go for happy hour, outmaneuver them with this strategic tool.
• Calendar Coding Exercise - use this to see where you are actually spending your time and adjust to where you should be spending your time, with visual indication of success.