5 Tips to Improve your Brain and Job Performance

The low economy has greatly caused competition (to attain/keep jobs) to rise in the United States and around the World. It is no longer enough to have just a degree and some experience. We need to be sharp and at our best at ALL times. Plus, we need to shuffle homework (for that graduate degree), family, and everyday task.

You may be thinking, how can anyone succeed or be at their best with all this stress and pressure? Well, I have a starting point for you and some answers. You must sharpen and assist your brain, so it can deal with these stresses and perform at an optimal rate over long periods of time. Think of it as a brain tuneup. The best way to achieve this affect is to exercise your brain.

Think about it, when we want to get our bodies into shape, lose some weight, or tone up for the summer we exercise. This is exactly how we should treat our brains. I’m not suggesting that we attempt to do some forehead push-ups (is that even possible?), but I am suggesting that we dust off a book, challenge ourselves mentally, and push our limits. Here are my top 5 brain tips and a few ways to impress your employers, so you can keep that brain employed.

1. Conduct Research

This is probably one of the best ways to really train and exercise your brain. Think about it, who does research? The following conduct research religiously: Scientist, Doctors, Engineers, and the majority of successful people. There is a reason these people are intelligent and make a lot of money. They put in a great amount of time and effort in researching topics that matter to them. I’m not saying go out and try to become a rocket scientist. I'm suggesting that you pick up a topic that really interest you and research it. Try to find out how you can make it better. You could potentially become a subject matter expert (SME) in this area, and make some real changes by joining organizations within this subject. Here is a list of research topics that might spark some interest. If this is not your cup of tea, then follow a sport or hobby. These research skills will transition into the work place and make you more of an asset, which makes you less expendable.

2. Socialize

Yes I am talking to you, the person sitting behind the computer, alone, and in the dark, on a Saturday night. Socializing with friends exercises your brain by debating topics, exploring new information, and by providing emotional support for others (I didn’t say this would be easy). Not only you are exercising your brain by dealing with people on a regular basis, but you are also aiding in the improvement of your speaking skills. Speaking skills can really help you in life and while trying to attain or keep that prized job. Yes, I am suggesting that you socialize by picking up the phone to talk to a friend, or you could actually go out and meet up with some friends. Leave the computers for the research. You could even meet some new people through networking and establish some new contacts. Who knows what opportunity is lurking around the corner.

3. Start a Blog

Ok, so maybe the whole socializing thing is not for you. Instead, opt for starting a blog or hub. Since I have started writing articles for my blog and HubPages, I have noticed an increase in my clarity of mind and my focus has improved substantially. Plus, I am gaining a great deal of knowledge about the topics I’m writing about. Pick a topic that really interest you, and conduct some RESEARCH (Check number 1) on that topic. Writing a blog consist of way more than writing. You also have to research ways to get traffic to your blog, socialize with other bloggers through communities and directories, and do a lot of reading and writing. This is a great opportunity to really exercise your brain and gain an invaluable amount of knowledge. You could even end up earning an extra income with blogging and writing articles. Maybe, some of that newly attained knowledge could even come in handy during small talk at a company dinner or event.

4. Pick up a Challenging Game

This is one that I particularly love. Gaming is not all fun and games (… lame joke). It can really work your brain, memory, and sometimes patience. Have you ever tried exploring some of these virtual gaming Worlds that literally come with maps and guides to help you through? It is a challenge in and of itself. The missions can sometimes become real brain teasers as well. You must think strategically, and this could easily transition into the business. Some Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG), such as World of Warcraft can even help your managerial skills. If you don’t believe me, then you can ask CIO Stephen Gillett for yourself. If anything, at least you will have something to talk about at work with your tech guy. Your tech or IT guy or gal knows more about what goes on in the company than you probably do. This could benefit you in the future. If these types of games are not for you then go for Brain Games, such as Brain Age.

5. Exercise Your Body

Many people tend to forget how the body is a single, working machine, and your brain is just a cog in that machine. To really get the blood flowing and circulating through your brain, simply exercise. I really suggest running or doing a cardiovascular exercise, so your blood will really flow through your entire body. This new circulation could spark some new thoughts. Also, as a by-product your mood will become better from the release of endorphins. Anyone ever heard of a runner’s high? Oh yea, your body will take a new shape as well, which will make you more attractive to people in general. The law of attraction cannot be denied. Also, taking responsibility over health could mean you are ready to take more responsibility in the work place. When you lose weight people will notice!

These exercises and tips will do more than just improve your brain and job performance. They will improve your quality of life, memory, and your mood. You will even start to feel more successful because you are doing something to improve yourself. Not only you will notice, but those around you will notice as well. You took the first step by searching for a solution. Now, continue on your journey by putting these tips into action.

Games, such as crosswords, Sudoku, and solitaire are proven to increase your brain’s activity and shake the cobwebs. Most of them are free or very cheap, because you can find them in newspapers, magazines, and in the games section on your computer. Here are a few free websites that can assist you in your journey to sharpen your brain.