Train Your Brain to Think and Act Faster
Overthinking can slow progress, drain mental energy, and make even simple decisions feel overwhelming. The good news? You can train your brain to process information more efficiently and confidently respond.
Our fave Neuroscientist, A South African queen globally respected in her field, Dr. Caroline Leaf, explains that intentional thought patterns reshape neural pathways, allowing you to think and act more quickly and clearly. Making small, consistent changes can strengthen cognitive reflexes, improve decision-making, and move through tasks with less hesitation.
1. Interrupt the Overthinking Loop
Dr. Leaf explains that rumination slows mental processing. The more time spent replaying scenarios, the harder it is to move forward. In fact, Dr Leafe writes, "Overthinking can put your brain and body into negative stress, which can result in feelings of anxiety, depression and fear, and may even cause panic attacks." Instead of getting stuck in endless loops, use the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
Identify five key thoughts swirling in your mind.
Reduce them to four actionable insights.
Write down three realistic solutions for each.
Choose two practical options.
Take one immediate action to break the hesitation.
2. Strengthen Your Cognitive Quickness with Brain Exercises
Just like physical workouts strengthen muscles, mental exercises improve cognitive speed. Dr. Leaf recommends:
Neurocycling: Actively catching and redirecting toxic thought patterns.
Speed reading: Training your brain to process information quickly.
Rapid decision-making drills: Give yourself 30 seconds to solve small problems (e.g., meal choices, minor work decisions).
3. Train Your Brain to Trust Fast Decisions
Many people delay action because they fear making mistakes. Dr. Leaf's research shows that a well-trained brain can make quick, accurate choices when it trusts its ability to adapt. This empowerment of making fast decisions can make you feel confident in your abilities.
Top tips to try:
Journaling "think fast" moments - track times when quick decisions worked well.
Limiting your decision time - set timers for non-critical choices.
Practising mental agility exercises - like changing routines or tackling problems in new ways.
4. Move Your Body to Move Your Mind
Physical movement stimulates brain activity. Dr. Leaf suggests daily "brain-body workouts", such as:
Cross-lateral exercises (e.g., opposite knee touches) to boost brain connectivity.
Short bursts of movement (like jumping jacks) before deep work sessions.
Walking while problem-solving - motion helps mental processing.
If you think about it, training your brain for speed isn't about rushing - it's about building confidence in fast, practical thinking.
By interrupting overthinking, strengthening cognitive quickness, trusting fast decisions, and incorporating movement, you can rewire your brain to think and act with clarity, precision, and speed. You've got this...pick up the pace, sis.