Why you should fail... more?

The trick is not to avoid opportunities that might result in failure, but rather to seek them out. Adversity is one of the strongest proponents of adaptation and change, and it's through these moments that we as individuals are able to grow.

Since the Olympics have just begun it seems befitting to give an ode to the athletes who have dedicated so much time to their craft. As we see each of them speak about their journey to the Olympics they each contribute to an idea. Persistence. These athletes have decided to represent their country in their sport, and while it may lead to an overwhelmingly positive experience, while behind it all is the looming fear of failure.

But it isn't just this final decision that demonstrates their persistence. It is the effort that goes into hours of practicing, the years of honing their talents, and the number of times they must have entered competitions to reach that level of performance. They have persisted through critiques, through injury, through multiple conflicting commitments that each threatened to end their passion. The perception changed from fear, to opportunity. Barging through each obstacle the challenges became advantages.

Without their acceptance and determination through each of these opportunities we would not have our world famous athletes today. Perhaps this is one of the reasons we are able to idolize these individuals as show the courage we all wish to have in face of the challenges undoubtedly part of every life change. Instead of shying away we should use every new fearful opportunity to overcome our worries and develop our self. Finding the challenges that make us grow should be the only fear.

The Powerful Nature of Authenticity

As I sit here today, two days after the event itself, I can still recall wonderfully the effect it had on the classroom. It was a usual two hour class, approximately half way through learning about statistical power when something struck a chord, albeit, a good one. It turned out our prof had just that day become a Godfather. His best friend's baby was born that night. You could feel the excitement from the classroom begin as muffled voices and whispers fueled the biggest smile I may have ever seen across the face of the man in front of us all. It was inescapable how this single moment brought so much appeal. The compulsion to feel his happiness was all in the authenticity.

It was the sheer joy that the event had brought this individual that could not be veiled or hidden in any way. His pride shone from ear to ear and in return the class was able to share. As we are confronted each day with societies advertising, social media, and a sheer volume of information,  I think authenticity has gained so much value. Hearing about someone's life and how they either sank or swam in that situation is in many ways a more valuable lesson to us as students and individuals than the power of an ANOVA in class (though also important!). It's moments like these, such as taking the time to catch up with a friend, or sharing time to volunteer, that's become increasingly important in our society.

Allowing yourself to be authentic and share that emotional realness with others is valuable. While it strengthens your own self-concept you also benefit those around you who get to share in the experience and open up for themselves. While we pride ourselves in individuality in Western society, perhaps it is time to shift the focus from personal success in wealth and status, to the authenticity expressed by people who propagate their own identity, and in the same swoop, allow us to connect with them on a deeper level. As the ripples begin to spread, that single genuine smile could truly impact a group of students, let alone one.

Found Nature's Beauty Recently?

We were fortunate in Toronto to receive a grand fall of snow this past week. The way nature can transform the world around us is truly beautiful. The trick is to really take the time to appreciate it.

 

There's always something special waiting just around the corner.

Two Minute Exercise That Can Change Your Day

We've all been there...

You find yourself in a rush or caught behind deadlines and your focus entirely shifts. As I write three mid-terms this week I am experiencing first hand the pressure to use every minute potentially possible to studying for my test. Similarly, I am sure that many people out there are preparing for their next task or under the gun to get that next project complete. But, why do these tasks take more precedence than, well, you? Perhaps just taking two minutes will make you pull you up from those drowning thoughts of work and center on what's really important.

The trick? Taking two minutes to think about you. What is truly important to you? It's hard to imagine that in today's society we can't spend two minutes in our busy schedule to take care of ourselves. It's seems natural to us that we spend minutes in the morning getting ready to appear better for the world, though it's almost abstract that we may regularly take a moment for ourselves, the people around us, or the environment that we live in. It's this strange idea, taking time for oneself, that perhaps we should start to focus on in society. It can be as little as a two minute breathing exercise to calm you down, or a work-out in the gym, or reading a book in the woods.

Whatever makes you happy deserves at least some time in your day. And we all know that being happy is a great step in the right direction to changing the world around us in a positive way.

How Your Thinking Can Physically Change Your Body

We have all been there at one point. We wish that the way to muscle was simply through our ability to think about going to the gym instead of the time required itself. Interestingly, this idea may not be as far-fetched as originally thought. Though published some time ago, research by Alvaro Pascual-Leone et al. (1995) demonstrates that thinking about a process activates the same neural circuitry as if the process were actually being conducted itself. What does this mean? Well, even if you weren't to perform the activity, simply thinking of the activity would build the neural circuits required for it and enhance your ability to perform that action.

Pascual-Leone et al. (1995) established this by measuring the brains motor areas in two groups of students, one asked to physically play a sequence of piano keys, while another was told to practice the same amount of time but only in thought. Using trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) Alvaro was able to map the dimensions of the motor area after the training was complete. Here, even students who only mentally rehearsed the schedule on the piano led to enhancements in the area of motor cortex designated for the motor task.

Though simple in nature, as an aspiring neuroscientist this study brings about ideas of amazing benefits. For example, imagine stroke patients who may be able to regain functional control of their paralyzed limbs simply by thinking about the action in the re-development of neural circuits. For a simpler example, imagine being able to learn to manipulate regions of your brain through mental practice to enhance your ability in certain aspects of your intelligence. Though I am personally not familiar with the true possibilities of these ideas nor of recent research in this field, the opportunities for changing the brain through mental processes seems almost magical.

On my other blog, Neurosimplicity (http://neurosimplicity.blogspot.ca/) , I will attempt to see if I can work on being ambidextrous simply by practicing mentally and taking sample writings every week. Check it out if you are curious about the results! In the meantime, simply imagine the possibilities if we as humans are able to change our brains simply by thinking about an action or perhaps even a thought pattern! Perhaps this will soon be related to cognitive behavioural therapy in application. In the meantime, the possibilities seem endless.

References:
1. Pascual Leone, P., Nguyet, D., Cohen, L. G., Brasil-Neto, J. P, Cammarota, A., Hallett, M. (1995) Modulation of muscle responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation during the acquisition of new fine motor skills. Journal of Neurophysiology, 74(3), 1037-1045.

A Surprising Vacation Courtesy of Your Daily Routine

How in the world can we get away from work, school, and the world at large when you can't get find the time for a vacation? It seems that many of us are awaiting anxiously for the nearest holiday to kick back and finally give ourselves some time to rest and spend a week away.But, I think you might be surprised to find that vacation you crave is a little closer in time, and closer to home, than you thought before. Here's why.

The one beneficial factor that comes from the normality of our everyday routine is that it makes any deviation from this routine special. Yes, think about it, when was the last time you decided to take a trip around the block, or even to the local store, only to find that something has changed and draws your attention? Now, imagine yourself a little further, reaching the next community or even another district. It's likely you haven't been here as often. Then take a one mindful step further outside of the city and into a whole new world. Consider this just one step in the many that can bring you around the globe where your vacation ideas originally conspired to find.

This small step outside of the city may bring you outside your comfort zone, but already into a whole new identity and a place of relaxation. To get away from the world doesn't require a vacation away, but simply time away from the world that we are limited to explore. Simply hours away might be experiences you've never known. For me, I can't wait until the next moment I spend dog sledding or snow shoeing in the countryside which is offered only hours away from Toronto, Ontario. It is time like this, due to my school routine at the University of Toronto, that I am rarely able to enjoy and yet conversely will cherish all the more.

Though we all seek a vacation that's far away, it doesn't hurt to consider some time spent within your own backyard. It's here that you might find a vacation you can take each weekend, and a piece of adventure a little closer to home.

Why can't you fail?

While I garner a little anxiety even creating this post, there are undoubtedly many other individuals proceeding in their life with the fear of failing the present task they are working on. It seems pervasive in our society that to fail is to make oneself less valuable, less productive, less... human? But why? I thought being human meant that we are expected to make mistakes? To me, the mistake is to believe that failure is truly wrong. 

Instead, each failure should be an opportunity. It can be a chance to prove to yourself that you can pick up and try again. A personal resistance, motivation, invigoration. Instead, a failure can be as fulfilling as a new beginning, to as small as a push towards the "right" answer. Though our society as a whole might garnish anxiety towards failing, it seems failing is a process that can make us grow in truly boundless directions, as long as we continue to pursue self-efficacy and individuality. So continue failing, and continue learning, because the only mistake would be to let failure prevent you from trying.