Have you ever heard or read a word that’s either new to you or that you’ve not encountered, and suddenly it starts cropping up everywhere? This is true for me with the word neuroplasticity. 

It describes the brain’s ability to change and adapt by forming new neural connections and reorganizing existing ones in response to experiences, learning, or injury.

It is the process of allowing new skills and/or changes in skills and abilities, as well as the opportunity to change dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behavior. This means that the brain is not a “fixed” organ and can be reshaped. 

Neuroplasticity is the biological basis for learning, allowing the brain to form new pathways. It allows the brain to adapt to changing situations. It allows the change in old habits to new ones by strengthening new neural pathways and weakening old ones.

I often write or talk about rewiring organizations. I even have a book, coauthored with Dan Collard, called Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired. Neuroplasticity is the rewiring of our brain. 

The brain is made up of many pathways. The more a pathway is traveled, the more permanent it becomes. Creating new pathways is hard and takes time. This means that new behaviors can be uncomfortable. 

When we learn a new skill, our brain forms new connections between the neurons.

The more we do the new skill, the stronger the connections become. Connections that are not used will weaken over time. 

As I read about and have had discussions on neuroplasticity, it has “connected the dots” for me in many ways. I have been getting intentional about rewiring my own thinking and behavior and recommending actions to others to do so as well. 

Neuroplasticity allows us to focus on the mindset of positivity. Here are a few tips:

* Each morning (or whenever you can), write down three things you are grateful for from the day before and three things you are grateful for now. It does not have to be complicated. Certain days I put, “To be alive.”

* Use the term get to versus have to or got to. This small change creates a big impact. The words have to or got to subconsciously lead to the feeling of having no choice.

In my talks with organizations, I ask, “How many of you got in legal trouble and have been sentenced to work here?” No hands go up. I then say, “Working here is then your choice. You’re smart, so would you choose to work in a place you do not like?” The same is true in my community talks.

When people keep complaining about where they live, I suggest they get active to make the community better or consider moving. When we realize we get to work or live somewhere, it changes how we feel about our circumstances.

* Be curious and try new things. A friend shared how hypnosis helped her and suggested I try it. I am. Guess what word is coming up in the session? Neuroplasticity. How cool is that? Hypnosis is working with the conscious and subconscious parts of the brain. 

We are the fortunate ones. Each day and each moment, we can work on being the best version of ourselves. It makes for better relationships and increases our ability to love and be loved. 

Rewiring works if you work it. 

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Quint Studer is the author of 16 books on leadership in the workplace and the community. His book “Building a Vibrant Community” is a valuable resource for civic leaders, business owners, and all citizens who have a stake in building a community they can be proud to call home. He can be reached at Quint@QuintStuder.com.