Use It Or Lose It!
By Martha Whittle

Think back four days ago. what did you have for breakfast, what did you wear, even better, what did you do? I'm sure you're not the only one that can't answer some or any of these questions. The truth is, as we get older we start to lose our memory and it can start to get scary. Just think if you only forget the little things now, what will it be like in 5, 10, 15 years?

Okay, so you sit down at your desk, after being briefly interrupted, to stare blankly at your screen and wonder "what was I just doing?" This is just one of many times you may lose track of yourself during the day. You may try and blame it on stress, tiredness, lack of eating breakfast or something else that sounds right. The truth is you may need to do some exercise. No not for your body, you need to train your brain!

Now it will only take a minute to learn some of these exercises, but you can use some of them any time of the day every day. Who knows maybe you already do some of them and you don't even know it. How about we take a look and see.

Tomorrow is a brand new day. I want you to do one thing for me. Try and use your opposite hand all day. I know you're thinking how can I write and eat with my opposite hand. I don't want you to attempt that, I want you to use your opposite hand when you open a door, grab the phone, use a key. etc. I want you to stop relying on paper and technology, you are going to put away all of your lists and try and remember on your own. The same goes for phone numbers - no more relying on your address book, try and remember.

I want you to say to yourself, "today I am going to break my routine". I want you to go a different way to work, use different side streets and view new things. I also want you to do things differently, for instance, eat breakfast at dinner, shower at night if you normally shower in the morning and try waking up earlier and doing something you enjoy before your day begins.

Getting your mind into shape may take some practice, you are so used to your routine and the way you do things. We are going to change this though. I want you to start reading different books and learning about things you would have never chosen. I want you to make up a problem for the day and try and solve it (how would you get off of a deserted island with no boat?). You might be thinking I don't have time to do all of this - well then pick one or two a day and try and do them.

Your brain is full of more plasticity than has ever been sought and now is your time to kick it in to full gear on your braincycle. Here are some last things I'm going to let you try doing. Remember to enjoy it, this exercise is going to be fun and you shouldn't break a sweat!

Try focusing as it will help you remember. If you repeat things it will stamp it into your mind. Writing down things reinforces your thoughts. You should try and learn something new - take up a class or learn a new language. Munch on memory foods; try fruits, vegetables and grains. And finally, tune into music as it tends to nourish your brain.

Preparing for Greatness provides tips in order to improve yourself for when you are at work or home.

Martha Whittle is a Marketing Assistant for BizXcel. She has a Business Diploma and is currently completing her Bachelor of Management - Marketing Degree. She has past work experience in the accounting and marketing fields.