How To Be More Handsome Engineer in 21 Days
I read many books. As a CTS & Technical Program Manager, I take many kinds of books, including self-improvement. One of them is ‘Think, Learn, Succeed’ by Dr. Caroline Leaf. My first encounter with her work was when my brother sent me a YouTube video link. It’s an interview with her, talking about Detoxing Your Mind. What they discussed in the video was so interesting, made me buy her book straight away in Kobo app.
In Think, Learn, Succeed, Dr. Leaf explained about 15 mindsets that can change our brain and develop cognitive resilience which is essential to success. The mindsets are:
1. Thinker Mindset
2. Controlled Thinking Mindset
3. Words Mindset
4. Controlled Emotions Mindset
5. Forgiveness Mindset
6. Happiness Mindset
7. Time Mindset
8. Possible Mindset
9. Gratitude Mindset
10. Community Mindset
11. Support Mindset
12. Healthy Stress Mindset
13. Expectancy Mindset
14. Willpower Mindset
15. Spiritual Mindset
Not only explained about the mindsets, she also gave a tool named The Gift Profile. It’s a tool to find our customized thinking, the unique way we process information to understand how we think. According to Dr. Leaf, when we understand how we think, it will activate the power of the mindsets. Turning them from being “nice to know about” into a real driving force of change for our life. After we understand about how we think, then we can leverage the technique she wrote in the third section of her book: Switch On Your Brain 5-Step Learning Process. It’s a technique to build memory and learn successfully based on how the mind processes information through the brain.
According to research, our brain is designed to grow constantly. The power of mindsets can only energize sustainable and successful change when we think in such customized ways and build useful memory. So, with the mindsets, tool, and technique she explained, we can improve our memory, learning, cognitive and intellectual performance, work performance, physical performance, relationships, and emotional health. What a package!
Now let me bring you to take a peek on one of the mindsets.
Thinker Mindset
In this part, Dr. Leaf brought us to have thinker moments every day. Thinker moments aren’t an odd quirk of the mind but are natural and spontaneous. We allocate time, at least 16 minutes a day, just thinking and allowing our mind to wander (re: only wa-n-der). No exposure with cell phones or other devices (external stimuli). Contrary to popular belief, the mind does not grind to a halt when we are doing nothing. So when we have thinker moments, our mind and brain keep working.
We can spread thinker moments across the day in two or three intervals. During the thinker moments, we evaluate our thoughts. The thoughts that give us a sense of peace go to our memory. The thoughts that make us worried should be rewired into helpful, useful, and successful memory. Practice at least 21 days in a row to make it into a habit, so your mind trained to do it automatically.
Having thinker moments will increase and develop our intelligence and mind and brain efficiency, also increase brain health and help prevent dementia. All of the statements are backed with related research.
Software development can be considered an artwork that needs creativity and intelligence. Why don’t we leverage our “planned maintenance downtime” to give our minds and brains an internal “reboot”?
Anyway, I shared about thinker moment with one of our engineers in Ralali.com. He looked so tense and depressed when doing his task. What he worked on was very important and in critical priority. I asked whether I can share about the thinker mindset and he said, “Yes”. So, I shared this thing. Now, we could enjoy what he has delivered, and I can see that he’s happier and more effective and efficient in doing his job.
PS. Do I also mention that he looked more handsome? I think, thinker moment can also get rid of those awful looks of tired engineer.
