Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Mental Acumen 

We are bombarded every single day with information. Whether it’s on the television, through social media, or by other humans, we are receiving news. I don’t know about you, but it gets overwhelming at times, so I’ve had to figure out how to best let it into my life. Over the years, I’ve filtered out things that have left me feeling dissatisfied, angry, or any other negative emotion. This hasn’t been completely eradicated, but I have gotten better at identifying and moving away from it. The news on TV is one of those examples. I never felt like I was coming away with a better outlook on life or gaining intelligence. My mission in this article is to give you ways to improve your mental acumen through my own experience and practices. It’s helped tremendously, and I find that many people I know ask me for this advice. Why not share it with all of you instead of the few that ask. Maybe you didn’t even know you needed this.

Reading books is how I have accelerated my learning speed about life in general. It’s a habit that I’ve gotten into that I can’t and won’t break anytime in the foreseeable future. Getting to know someone’s story, lessons, philosophies, or whatever else they’ve accumulated over their lifetime is nothing short of a gift to us. If you’re looking for one of the top ways to improve your mental acumen, get yourself a library card or go to your local book store and start reading books. It is absolutely a habit to get into if you’re not already a dedicated reader. My advice is that you take 15 minutes in the morning and read so it doesn’t get to the end of the day and you’ve excused yourself out of it yet again. If you have the energy and interest, start a book group/club like I did so that you and the other participants are held accountable. Not only does it help your knowledge and understanding of various topics, a book group can bring together community, and that can create good conversations. All of this leads to a healthier, more mindful you. And if reading words is not your thing, we live in this wonderful age of audible books. You really have no excuses.

What a wonderful age we do live in. If you are already a podcast fan, I don’t have to convince you that you’re in the right area of discovering ways to improve your mental acumen. What I will challenge you on is what type of podcasts you’re listening to. If they aren’t informational, and I mean helpful life information, then you’re escaping into more entertainment only. It’s not different than watch TV or a streaming service. Here are a list of my favorite podcasts that will help you come away with more knowledge and conversation pieces after each episode. This is another free (unless you sign up for Patreon membership, and then it’s just a small fee) way to become more versed in various topics. I’m in love with this way of learning, and I frequently send episodes to people that I think will benefit from some particular episode. Try it out next time you’re walking your pooch. That’s my favorite time to tune in.

Completely free, meditating is one of the best ways to improve your mental acumen. Stilling your mind and your nervous system is a gift to yourself. You don’t have to do any weird chants or sit on some particular pillow; you just lie down or sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine and go to town. When you first start meditating, it can be a little stressful. I know this because I felt it the first several times. My mind was thinking about the most absurd things - where did these thoughts even come from?? However, as I stuck to my practice (and practice, my dear, is exactly what this is), I realized how good I felt afterwards. There are so many benefits of meditation, including better sleep, reducing of anxiety and depression, and the enhancement of self-awareness. That last one is a big one, as most of us could use more self-awareness in general as we move about in this world. Try it out starting at 2 minutes at first, and move up from there. Have some grace for yourself and know that you’re working towards a better you by doing this.

Having a journal is nothing new to me, as I’ve kept a diary or journal for most of my life. It’s shifted as I have gotten older because I want it to be much more intentional. Journaling is definitely one of the most inexpensive ways to improve your mental acumen. When you put that pen to paper with intention behind it, having some journal prompts to use, you are diving deep into that amazing head and brain of yours for information you didn’t even know was there. Everyday, I journal for around 45 minutes, and everyday I am surprised at what I find. It’s like digging at an archeology site. You never know what’s going to surface as you’re picking away at the dirt. Journaling has helped me tap into my ultra creative side, my business side, my feelings, and so much more. Going back and referencing it years later brings me peace and comfort. I can see where I was and where I am now, and it’s usually quite satisfying. Pick up a journal for yourself if you don’t have one already and make this part of your daily routine. You might surprise yourself with what you uncover.

Walking is one of the most cathartic things I do in my day. After my journaling, I strap up my little dog Tater Tot and we head out for a nice walk. Typically I’m with my phone listening to a podcast, knocking two birds out at the same time. Walking and getting your body flowing in a nice, unaggressive way gets those juices flowing like a river. I can’t tell you how many great ideas about any given topic I’ve come up with on a walk. When my bodies knows I am giving it life and movement, it gives me back gold in turn. I’m showing myself how much I love my body and want it to work for me and be healthy. My brain registers that and gets to work, producing some of the juiciest content that I know wouldn’t happen sitting around hoping for lightning to strike. Walking is free, and by far one of the best ways to improve your mental acumen. Are you still reading this? Grab your tennis shoes and get that temple moving!

I’m a firm believer that you are the average of the five people you hang out with the most. That is a startling place to land if you’re hanging around with a bunch of low-performing, unambitious, complacent people. I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, you are not one of those people or want to hang around with people that sound like that. I hear you loud and clear. While there have been times in my life that I’ve settled for less than ideal in terms of company, I’ve given myself permission to exit those relationships and move towards ones that I have the utmost respect for. This starts with a text, a phone call, a DM to someone you want to see yourself spending time with. What’s the worst that can happen? You get a no. Move on to another person. Creating your circle of people who you admire and want to emulate and are smart is one of my top ways to improve your mental acumen. Be deliberate about this because if you’re not, you’ll find yourself sucked into a day-to-day life that you regret or hate. The company you keep matters, so be sure to see the reflection in the mirror you’re proud to see.

When I was in my 20s, I realized how many utterly boring people were in my life by default. They worked at the same jobs, went to the same bars, had the same conversations year after year. It made me feel like I was in a crazy bin. I vowed at that young age to do something each year that would make me a more interesting conversationalist. There was no way I wanted to be talking about the same hobby I had since I was 13 years old, so I made that my mission. Throughout the years, I’ve changed jobs, started this blog, gotten certified in SCUBA, picked up guitar, and various other things that made me fun to talk to. Why would trying new be important? Because it’s one of the ways to improve your mental acumen, and you want that, right? You only get one shot at this life, so you may as well do the things you want. Get rid of the negative voices, sign up for the horseback riding or pottery lessons, and have something cool to discuss. You’ll also be able to meet new people through these activities, so you’re doing a 2-for-1 deal. How awesome is that?!

Are you ready to start conquering all these inexpensive ways to improve your mental acumen? I know you are. Try to start with just one if this is all new to you. It can get overwhelming, and it’s taken me years to develop these practices and incorporate them in my life. Some of them also ebb and flow, depending on where I am in my seasons of life. What I can tell you is that they are all worthwhile and valuable to a better version of you. I’m so excited for you to see how your life improves after committing to one new thing. It takes time, it takes practice, and it takes grace for yourself. But you are worth it.

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