Unlocking Your Cognitive Potential: Why Can't I Improve My Brain Power?

Despite our best efforts, some individuals find it challenging to improve their cognitive abilities. This frustration often stems from a misunderstanding of the nature of our brain's limitations. It's not just about effort; our cognitive power is heavily influenced by our genetics and the environment we grow up in. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why brain power may not improve as expected, the principles behind it, and what you can do to enhance your cognitive performance.

The Limits of Brain Power

Understanding why you can't improve brain power begins with recognizing that the human brain operates under certain physical constraints. These constraints are akin to the limitations of a computer's processing power. Just as a computer can only perform tasks within certain parameters, your brain is also limited by the physical structures and properties that it has developed over time.

Intelligence, or cognitive capacity, is dictated by the brain's structures and properties. These structures are primarily determined by the genetic makeup that you inherit. While environmental factors such as socioeconomic status and access to education can impact cognitive function, the impact of the shared environment (where you live and learn with siblings) diminishes as you age, typically around 12 years.

Encounters with the nonshared environment, such as unique experiences and individual challenges, can also influence your intelligence but are generally temporary and do not have a long-lasting impact.

Heritability and Cognitive Function

The heritability of intelligence means that a significant portion of our intelligence is determined by our genes. This is supported by numerous studies that show how genetic factors play a crucial role in cognitive abilities. However, this does not mean that your cognitive capacity is fixed and unchangeable. There are still strategies you can adopt to enhance your cognitive performance and focus your energy on what you can control.

Focusing on What You Can Control

To improve your cognitive function, it's essential to recognize what you can and cannot control. Rather than wasting your time worrying about what others are doing or lamenting over outcomes that are beyond your control, you should focus on the intersection of what you should do and what you can do. This approach provides you with a clear path forward and the motivation to succeed.

The 4 Principles for a Successful Life

Concentration on what you should do: Focus on the actions that align with your goals and values. Attention on what you can do: Concentrate on tasks that you can accomplish with effort and determination. Avoid fixation on what others are doing: Comparing yourself to others can be demotivating and unproductive. Instead, focus on your own progress. Stop questioning and worrying about results: Outcomes are often beyond your immediate control, so let go of these concerns and move forward.

Training the Mind: Constitutional and Energy Regulation

Just as the mind is our consciousness and an energy regulator, it's essential to train your mind to feel and control the focus of your consciousness. Cultivating a positive mindset and learning to accept yourself, even with your limitations, is a powerful tool.

Some individuals, like Prakash Kushwah, have naturally embraced a more positive outlook. However, learning to do so and maintaining that positivity can be a discipline that requires guidance. With the right teaching and practice, anyone can learn to train their mind and improve their cognitive performance.

The Power of Finding a Teacher

One of the key steps in improving your cognitive power is finding a teacher or mentor. A skilled instructor can guide you, correct your misconceptions, and keep you on the right path. Without the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher, improving cognitive abilities can be a daunting challenge, even over a lifetime.

Conclusion

Understanding the limitations of your brain's cognitive capacity and focusing on what you can control are essential steps in improving your brain power. By aligning your efforts with what you should and can do, and finding a knowledgeable teacher to guide you, you can overcome the challenges that hinder your cognitive growth.