Dr. Tara Swart, a neuroscientist and professor at MIT, says the keys to developing an entrepreneurial brain are based on principles of brain neuroplasticity and mindfulness. That is to say, whoever undertakes must a priori cultivate a resilient mind, capable of adapting to the changes that may arise along the way in a new context or situation; and can in turn face the uncertainty of the new or unknown that is to come with calm and temperance. This involves challenging automatic thought patterns and rewiring the brain through conscious practices to enhance emotions, motivations, intuition and logic.
Brain neuroplasticity is cultivated by learning a new language, traveling and interacting with people from other cultures, learning to play a musical instrument, studying a new skill or topic, or doing the same thing we usually do but in a different way (for example washing our hands). teeth with the other hand or eat with the fork in the opposite hand that we usually use).
Everything that happened in our lives shaped our brain (survival mode). Therefore, focusing on something new redirects chemical, hormonal and physical resources to create new brain pathways. In turn, cultivating full attention, developing a focus on the present, allows you to detect opportunities and act with greater clarity. Meditation and practicing mindfulness are the practices par excellence that allow us to keep our minds agile and receptive to opportunities.
In turn, brain agility, mastery of mentality, and simplicity allow us to switch between different ways of thinking. Therefore, it is super important for an entrepreneurial mind to have and develop a highly flexible mind, capable of seeking creative solutions in the face of adversity. To achieve this, it is key that people with different training, culture and focus work within your team. In this way, it is possible to reach out-of-the-box solutions more easily. Achieving innovative solutions within difficult contexts are the hallmarks of 21st century innovators.
That is why entrepreneurs of this century must have highly trained minds, and be able to react positively even when under moments of great pressure. According to Rock, an expert in the application of neuroscience to leadership and organizational management, learning and innovation are closely linked. Entrepreneurs must train their brains to stay curious and open to new development opportunities.
The passion of the entrepreneurial brain is its essential engine, it is what drives them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Their enthusiasm is closely linked to the creativity and innovation they manage, fundamental elements for success in their businesses. It is then in the critical situation, where they must use powerful self-management tools to go through the complexity and emerge stronger from the situation.
Short meditations, exercises with 5-minute breathing techniques, applied neuroscience exercises and visualization techniques (so used by elite athletes), are the tools most used in the most critical moments by entrepreneurs to get back on track. gain control of the new situation again. The appetite for risk is what characterizes them. Emotional management is crucial for making sound decisions and sustaining performance in uncertain environments. At the same time, taking care of the body, both diet, good rest, and exercise enhance mental clarity and reduce the impact of stress.
Studies published in the journal Science highlight the ability of the entrepreneurial brain to quickly adapt to changes and think creatively. This ability is related to strengthened connections between the right insula and the anterior prefrontal cortex, areas that facilitate decision making in uncertain environments. In turn, they speak of improved neural connectivity. There is research with functional magnetic resonance imaging that shows that entrepreneurial brains have greater connectivity between the areas responsible for innovation and executive control. This allows them to integrate creative ideas with practical strategies, something essential in entrepreneurship.
In turn, Harvard University maintains that the entrepreneurial brain is more exploratory, actively seeking new opportunities and challenges. This trait encourages innovation and allows solutions to problems to be found in unique ways.
David Rock, founder of the NeuroLeadership concept, maintains that successful entrepreneurs have the ability to manage their emotions, which allows them to remain calm under pressure and make clear decisions. This involves a balance between the amygdala (emotional center) and the prefrontal cortex (rational area). In leadership, it is crucial to recognize and mitigate unconscious biases that can influence decisions.
At the same time, adapting quickly to new situations is essential for entrepreneurs. This involves changing rigid mental patterns and being open to new ideas, which is facilitated by optimal connectivity in the brain. On the other hand, your emotional management is crucial to making correct decisions and sustaining performance in uncertain environments. There is a general principle that says that it is not stress itself that affects us, but how we react to it. That is why cultivating conscious and proactive responses is essential for entrepreneurs, who constantly face challenges.
Cultivating a focus on the present allows you to detect opportunities and act with greater clarity. That is why I leave below the tools most used by innovators of the 21st century.
1) Meditate to reprogram the brain: It is scientifically proven that the repetitive practice of meditation helps maintain concentration on the now and reduce negative and ruminative thoughts. Working on the prefrontal cortex through meditation will allow the brain to reach the normal frequency. theta of calm and build an unconscious brain (95%) that by itself works in a calm and positive way. We are able to reconfigure our mind to wherever we want by going to special moments, of light and calm, in our lives through meditation and changing brain frequencies where the unconscious connects with the conscious.
2)Visualization, backed by neuroscience, is a highly effective way to sharpen your focus, maintain your motivation, and create the real-world results you desire. Since the brain does not distinguish between what is real and imaginary, positive visualization, from meditation, activates certain hormones that contribute to cellular repair in the body and generates oxytocin. Align your mind with your actions to obtain successful results.
3) Practice mindfulness daily: The practice of mindfulness, or full attention, is an exercise in concentration and awareness that involves focusing attention on the present moment intentionally and without judgment. The key to mindfulness is to observe thoughts, emotions and body sensations as they are, without reacting or getting carried away by them. This approach helps reduce stress, improve well-being and strengthen the ability to concentrate. Meditative exercise is practiced: full meditation, concentrating on breathing and/or body sensations; through body scanning that motivates connecting the mind and body through observation without trying to change them, and mindfulness in daily activities, which consists of paying full attention to each daily activity, such as eating, walking, paying all attention to the details and sensations of the activity.
4) Be grateful daily: Connecting every day with the good things that happen to us gives us satisfaction and well-being. By appreciating what we have, we cultivate optimistic thinking and a more harmonious vision of life.
5) Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily: They are ideal for going from a stressful situation to a calm one in 5 minutes. It consists of inhaling through the nose and expanding the abdomen for 4 seconds, then exhaling through the mouth or nose and contracting the abdomen for 6 seconds. Repeat 8 to 10 times. This helps calm the mind, reduce heart rate and pulse, and promote long-lasting states of pleasure and calm.
In short, the entrepreneurial brain stands out for its adaptability, resilience and creativity. Tools like neuroplasticity, meditation, and emotional management are key to coping with uncertainty and maintaining focus, while passion and curiosity drive success in complex environments.
Lawyer, specialist in neuroscience, well-being and high performance
Source: Ambito
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