“ THE BRAIN CAN CHANGE ITSELF. It is a plastic, living organ that can actually change its own structure and function, even into old age. Arguably the most important breakthrough in neuroscience since scientists first sketched out the brain’s basic anatomy, this revolutionary discovery, called neuroplasticity, promises to overthrow the centuries-old notion that the brain is fixed and unchanging. The brain is not, as was thought, like a machine, or “hardwired” like a computer. Neuroplasticity not only gives hope to those with mental limitations, or what was thought to be incurable brain damage but expands our understanding of the healthy brain and the resilience of human nature. “ – Norman Doidge M.D
Arguably one of the coolest things I’ve learned is that the brain is able to change itself. I mean literally, like rewire itself. It doesn’t matter how old are you either. So keep this in mind:
EVERYTHING IS PROGRAMMING & NO MAN IS AN ISLAND!
This is simultaneously incredibly liberating and terrifying at the same time. Let me explain: It means that you have the ability to rewire your brain into one that is truly aligned with who you want to be! Yet, the terrifying part is that you may have been unwittingly wiring your brain with weak programs.
The reason I say “no man is an island” is that everything you do is programming no matter if you like it or not! You aren’t some isolated being. All of the things in your environment are affecting the plasticity of your brain. This includes the people you hang out with, the shows you watch, the thoughts you repeat in your head over and over again, the food you eat, etc…
While you are reading this: Check how you are sitting. If you are slumped over with your neck sticking hyperextending; Guess what? You’re programming yourself to sit in a bad posture more often. Your posture is being absorbed by your plastic brain as a pattern and will, therefore, become more automatic as time progresses.
“Everything is programming” – Dan Kennedy (Marketing Mogul)
The reason you do anything can always be traced back to your brain receiving some sort of reward. Nothing your brain does is by accident. Just think about it: Even if you are just sitting at home, there is still a reward (be it short-term). The reward for sitting home and being lazy is comfort.
The reward for eating junk food with refined sugar is a spike in dopamine and glucose (what the brain craves). The reward for using porn is again dopamine from the stimulation/novelty and a brief feeling of satisfaction.
So, my question to you is what rewards are you programming your mind to seek? If you are like most people, you are programming yourself to be addicted to instant gratification. People who are addicted to instant gratification are surface-level thinkers. They haven’t programmed themselves to seek out the greater rewards that come from delayed gratification.
A habit is a formula our brain automatically follows: when I see the CUE, I will do ROUTINE in order to get REWARD – “The Power Of Habit” by Charles Duhigg
Oxford University has conducted research that shows that it takes an average of about 66 days to create a strong habit.
This is HUGE! This is a call to action brothers! Start to look at all of your actions through a filter. Ask yourself: “Do I want this to be a part of my wiring?” Every action you take whether it’s walking or brushing your teeth a certain way is followed up by neurons in your brain firing together.
When your neurons fire together, they create a neural pathway in your brain. One way to understand neural pathways is to compare them to muscles. The more you do a thing, the stronger the neural pathway for that thing becomes.
Similarly, if you want to weaken a neural pathway in your brain that you do NOT want, keep this phrase in mind: “Neurons that fire apart, wire apart.” That’s the beauty of neuroplasticity. You can undo the damage already done. It will take time but there is proof that you can do it.
In today’s society, we are seeing a trend where men are unconsciously being wired for weakness. We literally have been programmed without our consent! This is why you need this information right now! So you can take back control and rewire your brain to be a fucking man! To be a warrior…
Here are some examples of things that I do to program myself to become stronger:
Program: Become comfortable with discomfort:
Do pushups and squats at random moments throughout the day.
Go to sleep on an empty stomach occasionally.
Eat something bland like rice while others are eating junk food around you.
Breathe through your nose only while running. (don’t use your mouth)
Programming yourself isn’t this huge action you take only once. Programming yourself can be traced back to the little micro-actions you take every day.
Therefore, be careful of the things that you are watching on the internet. Be careful of the people you hang with. The topics of conversation you have with them. Are they mostly negative? The more you hang out with people like that, the more you will unconsciously absorb their thought processes and mentality. Remember: No man is an island.
In summary, each action you take creates a spark in your brain that will eventually turn into a neural pathway, becoming stronger and stronger the more you feed it. When it comes to habits you don’t want, you must weaken the neural pathway: “Neurons that fire apart wire apart”. Take action carefully knowing that you are either feeding the “badass-spartan-warrior you” or the “weak-victim you”.
Wire yourself to become legendary.
Best,
Maximillian Giamarco
P.s. Would like to make progress on your journey to self-mastery? Check out the Spartan Ownership shop here for badass products and training courses that will accelerate your growth. Also, if you would like more personalized help, book a coaching session with me here.
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