IS NEUROPLASTICITY THE SECRET TO SUCCESS? Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout your life, forming new connections that can have a direct impact on your energy, productivity, focus, creativity, motivation, and much more. Your brain can expand and grow even after an injury. by the journal PLOS One discovered that getting six or fewer hours of sleep was associated with memory and executive function problems, i.e. problem-solving, planning, and execution. So, make sure you get enough sleep before tackling your day. 6 Scientifically Proven Ways to Boost Your Brain Power
That’s why many entrepreneurs are saying the same thing: One of the smartest ways to invest in your business is to devote resources to your most important asset — your brain. But how do you keep your brain active, healthy, and functioning at a high level? Param Dedhia, MD, says six key areas are involved: sleep, exercise, joy, nutrition, internal medicine, and inflammation. All of these factors work independently, but together, they can promote neuroplasticity, which is why they all require equal attention. Everyone wants to stay engaged with the world around them, but you can’t do that without sleep. In fact, research published
Exercise is crucial because, according to brain plasticity researchers at IOS Press, exercise “alters the synaptic structure and function in various brain regions,” promoting brain growth and even delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Promoting growth can also be as simple (or as difficult) as focusing our attention on thoughts that bring us joy. Gratitude promotes very different brain activity than negativity, anger, or bitterness, and studies on gratitude show that the positive effects can be lifelong. Nutrition can’t be understated either, since it can assist your body in maintaining health and fighting inflammation. The brain uses about 20% of the body’s
calories, and eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can strengthen brain cells, while antioxidants reduce cellular stress and inflammation, which are linked to brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. With the right habits, you can keep your brain healthy for many decades to come. You might even grow in entirely new and unexpected ways.
COMPANY GROWTH AND EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION CULTURE COINS MORE THAN A GAME
I was inspired by a recent conversation with Wade Martin of Martin Landscapes, as he shared with me how dramatically his business improved when he invested in his culture, core values, vision, and mission. He and his human resources director even created a fun game using something called Culture Coins that has been a hit with his team. He said one of the things he’s done that has had a huge impact on company growth was hiring a full-time HR director who is dedicated to working on labor and retention. Celebrating milestones goes
values of the company written on them and a dollar value of $5, $10, or $20. Employees earn them for safety, production, or just being a good person and doing good for someone else. At the end of the month, the employees turn them in, and they can see on the TVs in the office who’s leading in Culture Coins. They can use their Culture Coins to buy company swag, a paid day off, a day of fishing with Wade, or lunch for their team. It has become a huge hit for the company, and you can also learn a lot about a person. For example, when a team leader takes those chips they’ve earned and buys lunch
hand in hand with retention, and they celebrate birthdays with a gift bag. For anniversaries, Wade makes a point to call employees or go see them on the job site to congratulate and thank them. While those may seem like small actions, they go a long way in letting team members know they are appreciated. Wade and his HR director also introduced Culture Coins, which are poker chips that have the core
for their team, it demonstrates just how much they care about others.
More often than not, we see the people we work with more than our own families, and it brings a lot of joy to see the team cheering one another on, high-fiving, and building morale. For more HR tips and culture- building strategies, check out our blog post at RamblinJackson.com/ water-your-roots-with-culture-coins.
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