7 Ways to Become Smarter Every Week
To be successful in business, you need a nimble mind to react to problems faster and you need to be adept at understanding whatever is thrown your way. In short, your ability to succeed is often determined by how smart you are.
With practice, anyone can increase their knowledge base, sharpen their intellect and learn new skills. There are a number of ways to boost your cognitive skills and expand your mental capacity. We should aim to spend time every day learning something new. The more we learn and the more deeply we understand, the better we can improve our brain performance and increase our capacity to learn.
The list below includes the best ways to engage your mind and grow your intelligence so you can meet the ever-mounting challenges you face. By following these seven tips, you can become a little smarter every week.
1. Spend time reading every day.
The mind is like a muscle: the more you use it the stronger it will become. Reading is an important element for developing your mind, as it’s one of the basic ways we gain knowledge and learn.
Through reading, you can discover new things and educate yourself on any topic. Reading also helps develop your creative side by engaging your imagination. Words, both spoken and written, are the building blocks of our social existence — and through words, you can go anywhere in the world.
If you’re looking to quickly grow your knowledge, one easy way is to speed up your reading so you can charge through books, written material and even online articles (like this one!). Most people read at an average rate of 250 words per minute. At that rate, it would take you about six minutes to read this article. But with speed reading, you could cut that time in half. Just remember, the goal is to help you rapidly consume more information, not just zoom past words without fully comprehending their meaning.
Play board games (e.g., Scrabble, chess, or Battleship).
Playing board games has been proven to make you all kinds of “smart.” Board games improve your logical thinking skills, enhance your learning skills, and decrease your risk of developing age-related cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
From 2008 to 2009, a pair of researchers studied 31 middle school special needs students. Sixteen of the students were given their typical math instruction, while the remainder of the students went through a 30-week chess training program in addition to their regular math instruction.
When the school year was finished, those who participated in the chess program had higher grades in math and higher standardized test scores than those who didn’t. This suggests that playing games keeps your brain sharp and helps you comprehend new information better.
Make a list of the things you’ve done.
Intelligence is often seen as a predetermined trait, which limits people’s motivation to try to change their own level of intelligence. However, studies have shown that there is a link between IQ and happiness beginning in childhood and spanning across one’s life.
When it comes to confidence, if you have a healthy self-esteem, you will be more accepting of yourself. Other people will be able to see this confidence, and will give you more credibility when you are talking about any given subject.
Making a list of the things you have completed can act as a reminder of how far you have already come in whatever you are working on. This can keep you motivated to keep moving forward with your work and continue to learn.
7. Take notes by hand, instead of using your laptop.
Scientists recommend this, and not just because you’re more likely to give in to online distractions when using your laptop. Even when laptops are used only for note-taking, learning is less effective (Mueller, P. 2013). [10]
In one experiment, [11] researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that students who wrote about their feelings about an upcoming exam for 10 minutes performed better than students who didn’t. The researchers say that this technique is especially effective for habitual worriers.
Psychologist Kitty Klein has also shown that expressive writing, in the form of journaling, improves memory and learning. [12] Klein explains that such writing allows students to express their negative feelings, which helps them to be less distracted by these feelings.
13. Reward yourself at the end of each study session.
Most schools emphasize the importance of getting a certain exam score or passing a certain number of subjects. Ironically, if you want to meet – and surpass – these standards, you’d be better off ignoring the desired outcome and concentrating on the learning process instead.
University of East London researchers have found that your brain’s overall mental processing power decreases when you’re dehydrated (Edmonds, C. 2013). [22] Further research has shown that dehydration even causes the grey matter in your brain to shrink. [23]
And if you’re taking an exam, bring a water bottle with you. Every 40 minutes or so, drink some water. This will help you stay hydrated and improve your exam performance. Plus, this also acts as a short break to refresh your mind.
Source:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/327754
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/become-smarter/
https://www.daniel-wong.com/2015/08/17/study-smart/
How to Become a SMARTER Person: 18 Habits to Be More Intelligent
The London School of Economics and Political Science
LSE prepares individuals with a foundation of unified knowledge to deeply understand present times, enabling them to join a community defined by a diversity of influence, excellence, and success.
About the London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world-leading social science university founded in 1895 with the aim to address global issues through research and education.
LSE strives for the betterment of society, and believes that everyone has the potential to be a leader in their field. The School offers a unique and intelligent approach to executive education, aimed at developing global leaders in business and beyond.
Whether you’re looking to gain a new skill, update your knowledge or simply explore a topic of interest, LSE’s online certificate courses offer a flexible and convenient way to learn. The courses are delivered by world-renowned academics and experienced industry practitioners, and are designed to meet the needs of busy professionals.
The London School of Economics and Political Science online courses
LSE’s online certificate courses are aimed at professionals seeking critical-thinking skills, thought leadership, and a global perspective. The highly interactive online course portfolio explores a diverse range of topics including data analysis, real estate economics, and public policy, and empowers participants with competencies needed to adapt to a dynamic business landscape.
Data analysis
The LSE Data Analysis for Management online certificate course is designed for non-technical managers and professionals to improve their data decision-making skills. The certificate course covers the fundamentals of data visualization and storytelling, as well as the theory behind different types of analytics that are used in business decisions.
Real estate economics
Throughout the Real Estate Economics and Finance online certificate course, you’ll learn the economic concepts needed to analyze real estate markets, and gain the tools used to assess investment potential. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how geographic, demographic, and market-specific factors influence property development decisions, as well as how to forecast demand in different markets.
Public policy analysis
With the Public Policy Analysis online certificate course, you’ll learn about the core concepts involved in public policy research and evaluation. The course covers topics such as policymaking, processes, and challenges, and teaches you to make recommendations to policy stakeholders. You’ll also gain the skills needed to design and implement public policy initiatives.
Why learn online with the London School of Economics and Political Science
World-class LSE faculty and renowned thought leaders bring their extensive knowledge and expertise to each course, empowering participants to think about and understand the cause of things. By collaborating with GetSmarter, a brand of 2U, Inc., LSE ensures its state-of-the-art social sciences research and insights are globally accessible. Working professionals are able to discuss solutions shaping organisations as they network and collaborate online with classmates from around the globe. These engaging, supported, online courses are certified by the United Kingdom CDP Certification Service, allowing individuals to achieve their CPD requirements while developing relevant skills for a dynamic professional landscape.
Play board games (e.g., Scrabble, chess, or Battleship).
Playing board games has been proven to make you all kinds of “smart.” Board games improve your logical thinking skills, enhance your learning skills, and decrease your risk of developing age-related cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
From 2008 to 2009, a pair of researchers studied 31 middle school special needs students. Sixteen of the students were given their typical math instruction, while the remainder of the students went through a 30-week chess training program in addition to their regular math instruction.
When the school year was finished, those who participated in the chess program had higher grades in math and higher standardized test scores than those who didn’t. This suggests that playing games keeps your brain sharp and helps you comprehend new information better.
Exercise
Studies constantly show people who exercise regularly have higher I.Q. scores. [2] In addition to maintaining a strong body, people who exercise regularly actually stimulate brain cell growth. A process called neurogenesis occurs during rigorous exercise, which increases the production of neurotransmitters. With side effects like increased dopamine, active people enjoy less stress, better concentration, and more energy.
Dr. Michael Nilsson of Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden conducted extensive research on the topic. [3] “Being fit means that you also have a good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen,” the doctor said. His research focused on over a million Swedish military men, and Dr. Nilsson found a direct correlation between physical fitness and high scores on I.Q. tests.
Resource:
https://www.getsmarter.com/universities/the-london-school-of-economics-and-political-science
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/become-smarter/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/you-these-20-things-every-day-youll-become-smarter.html