Keeping the brain sharp

@brandonphillips, on the spot? Count Fibonacci numbers in your head. Do certain tasks with your non-dominant hand.

@brandonphillips, I have the same problem a lot of times. Used to be more! I noticed it a while back but then brought it to full attention maybe a couple of months ago when I realized that I was not being real with my friends or being very much myself with them at all, not nearly as smart and just playing their games. So I think you’ve already won half the battle when you realize this. When you are with other people just try to be real with them, try to not give a fuck and remember that your real good friends are probably going to want to know the real you anyway. Slowly I’m opening up, I’m trying really hard and then I come home and think about how everything went. I try to think positively about how much fun or how I’m going to make a good use out of socialization either for myself or for others, instead of going in there “knowing” ahead of time that I’m not going to feel quite myself. Things have gotten a whole lot better dude in just a couple months! and I know I still have a loong way to go. Hope this helps
Deej

@brandonphillips, Its really hard for me too, but not as much anymore. If you want to improve you’ve just got to take little baby steps. Put yourself into a social situation like you don’t usually, like say something that you think where you usually wouldn’t. Look at how you react and how others do too. I think every crappy situation, every time somebody gets mad at me for asserting myself (thats usually like a parent) or uncomfortable, disagrees or whatever is just a chance to peel back an onion layer and know my and everyone else’s true colors. But most of the time its not that bad. I’m a good actor and I didn’t know it. I know how to act to be someone I’m not for other people and I didn’t know it, now I do and I can peel that back.. slowly. Its actually kinda fun man!

So here’s a quote I wrote in that I came up with on this subject: “The more fear I experience and choose to obey, the less accountability & responsibility I take & less of the unalienable absolute freedom to choice that I assume with my experience.”

@ioanabogdan, I find it funny how, with a change of scenery really, we just become different people with different thoughts.

@brandonphillips, I like this. I am the same way. When it comes to convo’s I don’t have much to say and I tend to tense up. sometimes the things you say that get instantly ignored can stick with you. Or its that or You’re either a Listener than a talker when it comes to carrying a certain topic of convo. Im Like that. I have a keen sharp ear where I listen and reply with little to say. And when the conversation is over I replay the convo in my head to concoct a conclusion or whatever. Maybe your the same way?

I had and occasionally still have this problem. I find it’s easiest just to talk yourself through it when you can’t remember stuff or can’t think of stuff to say. At least you are buying yourself time and hopefully getting more comfortable talking at the same time. Just follow you natural train of thoughts and edit them as the edits come to you.

Also, I got this book called How To Talk To Anyone that has been really helpful. Read it several times and I still review it sometimes before going to parties or date or whatever. It’s got a lot of good techniques for making conversations better when you really don’t have shit to say. It helped me A lot.

@brandonphillips, Yes, I can totally relate to what you’re saying. It is so very frustrating when you’re in a conversation and you’re trying to make a point, something that you know it is meaningful and essential… and the other person interrupts you or doesn’t really listen to what you’re saying. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey
In my experience, I’ve seen many people talking nonsense, yet still managing to get the attention of every one around. I’ve come to understand that often it isn’t what you say, but HOW you say it. First of all, you gotta believe in yourself. Self-Confidence must be the source of anything that you do or say. And second of all, it’s a matter of tone volume, intonation, facial expressions. When you’re telling a story you gotta get in that story and say it, you don’t have to care about what the others might say next, their reactions and even if you wanna be polite and listen to anyone, they have to listen to you too.
Check out this video, I’ve found it very helpful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_HBvbHa9-A

@brandonphillips,

Meditate.The best thing that man has encountered!