Welcome to The Spring (Your Brain) Forward Challenge starting April 15th
If you joined our newsletter and this challenge, you know you have just one brain. AND you want to use it to its full potential. Congrats and thanks for being a part of our little club!
Starting April 15th, we’re launching the 5-week Spring (Your Brain) Forward Challenge, and I invite you personally to join us in trying out a variety of brain-stimulating exercises to tune up your brain during the spring season.
Spring (Your Brain) Forward Details
How does it work?
Sunday afternoon, the challenge topic of the week will be delivered to your inbox. We’ll briefly explore the topic with a blend of a little science, everyday reality, and humor, and finish off with an activity or two for you to work on related to that topic.
On Mondays, we set an intention for the week related to that topic and commit to a simple practice, as little as 5 minutes a day, 5-7 days that week.
Wednesday (“we wear pink” 😉and…), you’ll get a short blast of motivation, inspiration, and additional practice(s) you can try.
On Saturdays, I’ll share my reflections on the past week and invite you to share yours by posting on that week’s topic blog.
Rinse and repeat for 4 more weeks! At the end of week 1 you’re already ⅕ of the way through!
What do I do?
What YOU do during this challenge is truly up to you. Weekly, we’ll explore activities that activate your conscious and unconscious thinking which, over time, have positive effects on brain health. While all human brains face the same struggle of overusing autopilot and overthinking the small stuff, what most effectively breaks that cycle varies a bit. In short, what works for you might not work for your best friend. I invite you to try out a few different things over the course of the week and be open to discovering what works for you and what doesn’t. And that’s where the magic lives - in the process!
Practically speaking, this is what the 5 weeks will look like for you:
Engage in one or more brain tune-up activities related to our topic for at least 5 minutes a day, 5 days of that week. It may be an activity I have suggested or another of your choosing. Engage this activity for at least 5 minutes a day.
Log, journal, track, calendar, note, or whatever other system you use daily. You’ll capture some form of: what you did each day, how long or how often you participated in it, and the quality of this experience. Quality here means things such as how you felt, what you noticed, where you succeeded, where you struggled, etc.
At the end of each week, comment on the topic blog. Share with us whatever you want about your activities, experiences, and/or engagement with the challenge. Some things you may want to share are successes, struggles, sad or silly stories, etc.
Post your reflection on all 5 active weeks, and you will be entered to win an exclusive Executive Coaching session and a 50% discount on future coaching sessions for you or someone you want to gift coaching to.
Level up: Invite and check in with accountability buddies—your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Inspiration is contagious and has exponential positive effects!
A few things that can support you on your journey
Identify a consistent time of day that you’ll engage in our reflective practices for 5-7 days weekly. Mark it in your calendar, and set it to recur for the next 5 weeks.
Make it a “treat” for yourself. This will be different for everyone; here are a few ideas that will help you consider what will add to your practice and keep you coming back day after day. Incorporate as many or as few of these as you wish:
Get a new journal and set of colored pens
Light a candle at the start of your brain-building time and blow it out when you’re finished, as a physical and mental image of starting and ending your practice
Identify a special place that comforts and engages you, inside or out
Use a sand timer to mark your reflection time
Special hand lotion
Enjoy a cup of your favorite steeped tea, coffee, or flavored water (one of my faves is cucumber mint)
Identify a special playlist, preferably instrumental (lyrics are distracting, and likely you hear people’s words all day long, and your brain can use the break)
Scented hand lotion
Anything that will bring a little comfort and joy to your mind, body, and spirit
If you have mentally committed to these 5 weeks of brain health, you have already taken the first step toward a healthier brain. You set an intention. Step one - DONE! You’re already completed 3% of the challenge!
Please connect with me anytime with questions, comments, successes, struggles, etc. I am here to be your coach and supporter during this time. You can reach me anytime at oliviac@vibrantirisconsulting.com.
Thank YOU for joining us and, more importantly, investing in you.
Cheers to a healthier brain and a happier you,
