Sign InMy Account

Brain Twist

Posted By: Randy GageMarch 12, 2009

An interesting thing happened at on a recent trip.  As I was working on my laptop, I kept trying to delete letters, but I was hitting the backspace key instead.  Because a week before I left, I started using a new wireless keyboard at home.   So a couple keys are in a different spot, messing me up. The same thing happened when I switched from my VIAO to my MacBook.  That’s a good thing...

Of course every time I drive one of my cars I go through a similar thing.  The Challenger is an automatic transmission with tiptrontic.  The Viper is naturally a standard.  And the Aston Martin has the racing paddles on the column like the Bentley.  So sometimes I’m reaching for a shifter that isn’t there, or trying to step on a clutch pedal that’s non-existent.

So why was all this confusion good?

Because when you change up things like that, it stimulates your brain.  You can’t just repeat the same thought you have had a million times before. Studies have shown that things like this help stimulate the communication between the two hemispheres of your brain, fostering whole brain synchronicity. It actually helps you develop your creativity and new neural pathways in your brain.

So why not do some of that today?

Take a different route to work.  Put on your deodorant and dial your phone with your other hand.  Rename one of your most used computer file folders.  Move your watch to your right wrist.  Please share any other ideas you have on this below.  And make it a great day!

-RG

22 comments on “Brain Twist”

  1. Very good ideas Randy, thank you. Actually I reading your book now in Hungary (Europe) and very like your style and words. Thanks for this, I really enjoy this. Have a nice day.

  2. I love physiology, and neuro-physiology is amazing... Not only try to dial with other hand, try to talk by cell-phone on the other ear (you will ralize you hear much better with the ear you've been talking all the time... SO, AS A PERSONAL TRAINER... I'm telling you that means your other ear is lazy and it's out of shape...

    Try to put the butons of a shirt using hand for differents task of this activity

    Try to tune a radio with left hand

    Use scissors with other hand (watch out don't cut a finger!! or don't kill your pet)

    Try to put your make up with other hand (do this to go on a clowns party or similar)

    RANDY, get in a Btitish car and drive it manually with left hand doing its new task

    During a shower use your soap with other hand

    It's amazing what the brain is...

  3. Same exact thing happened to me with the wireless keyboard! I was really annoyed too. I love your take on this and you are totally right. How I forget, easy & comfortable = unchallenged & shrinking.

  4. Anyone who uses a desk top telephone with a keyboard AND the keypad on their computer during the day, like I do, is constantly having to re-programme their brain.

    On the phone, the numbers 123 are at the top.

    Why? Because the original phones hung on the wall, so it seemed logical to work downwards.

    On a computer keypad, 789 are at the top.

    Why?

    No idea - maybe because 123 are then nearer to the operator, and that seems logical.

    But it confuses my brain, and I really have to check that I'm getting the telephone number I want, or typing the number I want on the computer!

    (and maybe you've never even noticed!!!)

  5. What about not getting distracted with your thoughts; I mean turning off your internal radio while you do things and allow life to unfold by itsefl without you interrupting it. It means living in the real present not in the dual one (like the Matriz, remember?) and then, not only our brains, but the whole universe is at its full just before our eyes and lives.

  6. Some days I do this consciously- brushing your teeth with a different hand is difficult and neat-o (especially since we normally do this in the mirror).

  7. Great ideas! Try brushing your teeth and combing your hair with the wrong hand...finding your way around a room in the dark. Learning something new! They say learning a musical instrument is great for the brain!

  8. Try to brush your teeth with the other hand... you'll have a heck of an experience. When I first did it, I couldn't stop moving my rigth arm!

    ; )

  9. Fold your arms in front of you. Now, look at which arm is on top and which arm is on the bottom. Next, fold your arms by putting the arm that is on the bottom on top. Sit there for 2-3 minutes, with your arms folded in this "uncomfortable" position.

    Strangely enough, I do this often when I am working on a client marketing campaign and I have run out of creative ideas. After that exercise, I almost always get a brainstorm.

  10. Your brain, heart, your every inner and outer part of the body start functioning effectively when you find yourself a new lover. Since for all of us happily engaged with somebody this is just not an acceptable solution, we have to practice Tai-chi-chuan or Karate or take dancing classes. Getting a new house pet (not a snake in this case) helps too. Just adding to that what all you industrious people have already mentioned. And all of you singles, attract a new brain stimulator into your life...

  11. Natasha...your comment about dancing reminded me of something that happened in my life that shows just how powerful dancing is not only for creativity, but also for REPAIRING the brain.

    Several years ago I was in a serious car accident (drunk driver rammed into me). I had a head injury, and suffered short-term memory loss. After a couple of months of still having short-term memory issues, I became frustrated and decided to just go do something to boost my mood. I had always wanted to learn how to tap dance, so I signed up for classes.

    Well, after just one MONTH (eight sessions) of tap dancing classes, my short term memory started to come back. As I continued the classes, I eventually regained ALL of my memory and have had no memory issues since.

    I told a friend of mine about that who, at the time, was studying to become a psychologist. She told me that in her classes they had studied cases exactly like mine -- where doing an activity that is both physical AND creative can stimulate memory -- AND repair the brain! I found that very interesting!

    As Randy pointed out, the key is to keep doing lots and lots of DIFFERENT activities -- things that take you out of your comfort zone, things that you have never done before -- to keep the brain healthy.

  12. - swap your mouse to your opposite hand
    - use your utensils backwards
    - wipe with your other hand
    - get out of your chair the opposite way
    - vulcan mind meld

    Peace

  13. One that I find interesting to do, is whenever you are going to call someone, don't look it up on the cell phone address book... Try to dial it by memory..

    I am surprised how many close people we know that we cannot say their numbers from memory...

    Also try to take a shower with the lights off, it forces your brain to feel instead of just seeing. One that is good but potentially dangerous, it to brush your teeth with the opposite hand, I am surprised how many times I MISS the mouth and put the brush almost in my eye!! HAHAHA

    Have a wonderful day!

  14. interesting stuff,

    "One Brain" also deals with this, a few exercises that come to mind
    - run figure 8 with your eyes (both in same pattern is ok)
    - 1 hand knock on your head (lightly) up and down, while at the same time with the other hand run circles on your stomach

    I seem to keep starting a new venture every few years, total changing industry and life style.

    Also, I read a lot, and many things from other industries and interests, gives brain more knowledge and stimulus.

  15. When kids are playing with water, pouring it from one container to another or generally messing about, trying to arrange and re-arrange stuff... leave them to it!

Leave a Reply to Federico Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Warning: Undefined variable $key in /nas/content/live/randygagedev/wp-content/plugins/honeypot-comments/honeypot-comments.php on line 63

  • Stay Connected

    Subscribe to Randy’s Blog via Email

  • Recent Posts

  • 22 comments on “Brain Twist”

    1. Very good ideas Randy, thank you. Actually I reading your book now in Hungary (Europe) and very like your style and words. Thanks for this, I really enjoy this. Have a nice day.

    2. I love physiology, and neuro-physiology is amazing... Not only try to dial with other hand, try to talk by cell-phone on the other ear (you will ralize you hear much better with the ear you've been talking all the time... SO, AS A PERSONAL TRAINER... I'm telling you that means your other ear is lazy and it's out of shape...

      Try to put the butons of a shirt using hand for differents task of this activity

      Try to tune a radio with left hand

      Use scissors with other hand (watch out don't cut a finger!! or don't kill your pet)

      Try to put your make up with other hand (do this to go on a clowns party or similar)

      RANDY, get in a Btitish car and drive it manually with left hand doing its new task

      During a shower use your soap with other hand

      It's amazing what the brain is...

    3. Same exact thing happened to me with the wireless keyboard! I was really annoyed too. I love your take on this and you are totally right. How I forget, easy & comfortable = unchallenged & shrinking.

    4. Anyone who uses a desk top telephone with a keyboard AND the keypad on their computer during the day, like I do, is constantly having to re-programme their brain.

      On the phone, the numbers 123 are at the top.

      Why? Because the original phones hung on the wall, so it seemed logical to work downwards.

      On a computer keypad, 789 are at the top.

      Why?

      No idea - maybe because 123 are then nearer to the operator, and that seems logical.

      But it confuses my brain, and I really have to check that I'm getting the telephone number I want, or typing the number I want on the computer!

      (and maybe you've never even noticed!!!)

    5. What about not getting distracted with your thoughts; I mean turning off your internal radio while you do things and allow life to unfold by itsefl without you interrupting it. It means living in the real present not in the dual one (like the Matriz, remember?) and then, not only our brains, but the whole universe is at its full just before our eyes and lives.

    6. Some days I do this consciously- brushing your teeth with a different hand is difficult and neat-o (especially since we normally do this in the mirror).

    7. Great ideas! Try brushing your teeth and combing your hair with the wrong hand...finding your way around a room in the dark. Learning something new! They say learning a musical instrument is great for the brain!

    8. Try to brush your teeth with the other hand... you'll have a heck of an experience. When I first did it, I couldn't stop moving my rigth arm!

      ; )

    9. Fold your arms in front of you. Now, look at which arm is on top and which arm is on the bottom. Next, fold your arms by putting the arm that is on the bottom on top. Sit there for 2-3 minutes, with your arms folded in this "uncomfortable" position.

      Strangely enough, I do this often when I am working on a client marketing campaign and I have run out of creative ideas. After that exercise, I almost always get a brainstorm.

    10. Your brain, heart, your every inner and outer part of the body start functioning effectively when you find yourself a new lover. Since for all of us happily engaged with somebody this is just not an acceptable solution, we have to practice Tai-chi-chuan or Karate or take dancing classes. Getting a new house pet (not a snake in this case) helps too. Just adding to that what all you industrious people have already mentioned. And all of you singles, attract a new brain stimulator into your life...

    11. Natasha...your comment about dancing reminded me of something that happened in my life that shows just how powerful dancing is not only for creativity, but also for REPAIRING the brain.

      Several years ago I was in a serious car accident (drunk driver rammed into me). I had a head injury, and suffered short-term memory loss. After a couple of months of still having short-term memory issues, I became frustrated and decided to just go do something to boost my mood. I had always wanted to learn how to tap dance, so I signed up for classes.

      Well, after just one MONTH (eight sessions) of tap dancing classes, my short term memory started to come back. As I continued the classes, I eventually regained ALL of my memory and have had no memory issues since.

      I told a friend of mine about that who, at the time, was studying to become a psychologist. She told me that in her classes they had studied cases exactly like mine -- where doing an activity that is both physical AND creative can stimulate memory -- AND repair the brain! I found that very interesting!

      As Randy pointed out, the key is to keep doing lots and lots of DIFFERENT activities -- things that take you out of your comfort zone, things that you have never done before -- to keep the brain healthy.

    12. - swap your mouse to your opposite hand
      - use your utensils backwards
      - wipe with your other hand
      - get out of your chair the opposite way
      - vulcan mind meld

      Peace

    13. One that I find interesting to do, is whenever you are going to call someone, don't look it up on the cell phone address book... Try to dial it by memory..

      I am surprised how many close people we know that we cannot say their numbers from memory...

      Also try to take a shower with the lights off, it forces your brain to feel instead of just seeing. One that is good but potentially dangerous, it to brush your teeth with the opposite hand, I am surprised how many times I MISS the mouth and put the brush almost in my eye!! HAHAHA

      Have a wonderful day!

    14. interesting stuff,

      "One Brain" also deals with this, a few exercises that come to mind
      - run figure 8 with your eyes (both in same pattern is ok)
      - 1 hand knock on your head (lightly) up and down, while at the same time with the other hand run circles on your stomach

      I seem to keep starting a new venture every few years, total changing industry and life style.

      Also, I read a lot, and many things from other industries and interests, gives brain more knowledge and stimulus.

    15. When kids are playing with water, pouring it from one container to another or generally messing about, trying to arrange and re-arrange stuff... leave them to it!

    Leave a Reply to Federico Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


    Warning: Undefined variable $key in /nas/content/live/randygagedev/wp-content/plugins/honeypot-comments/honeypot-comments.php on line 63

    © MMXXIII Prosperity Factory, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Information, Sitemap, Site by PrimeConcepts