Brain Hacks for Busy Minds: 10 Ways to Reset & Refocus
Did you know that the average person makes 35,000 decisions each day? And that’s using brains that haven’t evolved much since humans first came into existence hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Dominique Ashby – a neuroscientist, brain-based change specialist, and longtime Mo News community member – gave the Mo News Premium audience practical skills on how to reduce decision and information overload in a first-of-its kind Premium Workshop last week.
Dominique is the founder of neuro@work, which helps individuals and organizations create brain-friendly work environments.
For our workshop, tailored especially for the engaged and online Mo News audience, she introduced a 10-point toolkit designed to help you unlock your brain for better productivity, greater focus, and a deeper sense of calm and control in today’s fast-paced world.
SOCIAL MEDIA OVERLOAD
Dominique explained how constant notifications, algorithmic social-media feeds, and our “always-on” culture overwhelm our cognitive systems and leave us feeling drained. She said that can lead us to become “less resistant to stress and emotions.”
Dominique added that part of the problem is that our brains are “survival-prediction machines” that crave information to feel safe. When we receive new or novel information, our bodies release dopamine, which is why our social media feeds have become so addictive, adding that it’s important to take breaks from the noise.
She also noted that social media algorithms feed into our craving for validation by trapping us in echo chambers and reducing our ability to handle disagreement. “It is pronouncing and making it more pronounced our division,” she said, warning that AI might make this phenomenon worse.
10-PIECE TOOLKIT:
Dominique offered a 10-point toolkit with science-backed ways to take back control of your brain, your time, and your mood. Below are a few, and you can get the rest by joining the Mo News Premium community at mo.news/premium – where you’ll get access to the full replay of this workshop in video and podcast form, plus replays of all our previous workshops.
✍🏻 Write things down to free your working memory — it can only hold about five items at a time.
✅ Prioritize your to-do list the night before, to give your brain “the gift of certainty.”
☀️ Conjure up a positive memory – a proven way to inspire creativity.
🧘 Practice mindfulness in small moments. Dominique likes focusing on the sounds, sights, and aromas while making an afternoon cup of tea.
This was our first Mo News workshop led by a community member, and it was a great reminder of the expertise and generosity within our audience. If you have a specialty you think the Mo News community would benefit from, feel free to reach out to us at info@mo.news.
Not a Premium member yet? Join today at mo.news/premium for access to all our monthly workshops, exclusive Q&As, weekend coverage, and more. Plus, we’re launching a new podcast especially for our Premium audience in September. Lots of new stuff to get excited about!