Positively Smarter - Science Strategies for Increasing Happiness, Achievement, Well Being

Positively Smarter brings together seven principles for connecting the science of neuroplasticity to practical strategies for enhancing the synergy of happiness, achievement, and physical well-being. Moving beyond common myths, the text builds an evidence-based paradigm to empower readers to take practical steps to move forward.
* Brings together current research on cognitive psychology, education (learning), and implications of neuroscience to suggest powerful ways to enhance the kind of cognitive function and productivity that leads to happiness and success
* Applies implications of current research showing that happiness is a skill and that positive affect can lead to higher levels of creative problem solving, productivity, achievement, and well-being
* Shares research and strategies for supporting physical activity and nutrition that may enhance neuroplasticity, cognitive performance, and positive affect
* Puts learners first and then brings in the science, presenting creative or adaptive strategies that can be applied in the real world
* Includes action assessments to guide readers in taking concrete steps to achieve the goals they set for themselves
* Identifies deeply held assumptions that innate talent, genes, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity mean that a significant percentage of the population lacks the neurocognitive potential to achieve at higher levels
* Draws on the authors' research from a broad range of fields in order to maximize the positive impact of a synergistic approach

List of contents

Acknowledgments xiii
 
Introduction 1
 
Appreciating Brain Plasticity: The Key to Redefining Potential 4
 
The Path to Positively Smarter 4
 
Our Personal Introductions to the Science That Supports Ways for Becoming Positively Smarter 8
 
1 Building a Smarter Brain 11
 
Neuroplasticity in Action 12
 
Your Brain at Work: A Continual Construction Zone 14
 
Beyond Conventional Wisdom: Harnessing Your Neurocognitive Synergy 21
 
Intelligence Takes Many Forms 21
 
People of All Ages Have the Capacity to Improve Their Knowledge and Abilities 23
 
What We Do Has a Greater Influence on How We Age Than Genetics 24
 
How We Think Can Influence Our Health 24
 
We Can Build Muscle and Become Stronger Well into Our Eighties 25
 
It's Hard to Identify the Children Who Are "Destined for Greatness" 25
 
Perceptions about Malleable vs. Fixed Intelligence Matter--a Lot 26
 
Plasticity as a Path to Becoming Positively Smarter 29
 
A New Positive Paradigm 35
 
The Innate Talent (IT) Paradigm 35
 
The Untapped Potential (UP) Paradigm 36
 
2 Why Happiness Matters 41
 
Reaping the Many Benefits of Happiness 42
 
I'll Be Happy When . . . 45
 
What Is This Thing Called Happiness? 47
 
Spirituality and Religion as Sources of Happiness 51
 
Tapping into the Science of Happiness 51
 
Achieving Greater Happiness Through Practical Metacognition 54
 
Applying the CIA Model 55
 
CIA in Action: Happiness and Subjective Well-Being 57
 
3 Stop Daydreaming and Start Thinking Your Way to Higher Levels of Happiness 60
 
Connecting Thinking and Feeling 63
 
The Focused Fifteen 67
 
1. Savor the Wow of Now 67
 
2. Work at Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude with Positive Self-Talk 69
 
3. Picture a Positive Future 73
 
4. Kindness the Killer App 74
 
5. Active Appreciation: Create and Tune into Your Appreciation Station 76
 
6. Give It a Break: Hang Your Problems Away for a While 77
 
7. Treat Your Relationships Like a Treasure (Because They Are) 78
 
8. Pursue Flow 80
 
9. Pursue Smarter Goals 80
 
10. Enhance Your Resilience: Build Your Own Palmetto Fort 82
 
11. Untie the Knots That Bind: Free Yourself with Forgiveness 83
 
12. Move Your Body, Boost Your Mood 84
 
13. Smile, and Your Brain Smiles with You 85
 
14. Play to Your Peak Strengths 85
 
15. Practice the Art of Treasuring 86
 
How to Be Less HappyMore of the Time 87
 
Maintain Your Positive Focus by Playing Your ACE 88
 
4 Working Toward Achieving Your Goals 92
 
Realizing Our Potential 93
 
"Natural" Talent vs. Deliberate Practice 95
 
Motivation to Take Positive Risks 98
 
Finding "Flow" 101
 
Putting Your Will to Work 102
 
Getting Gritty as a Path to Achievement 106
 
Build Your "Memory Muscle" to Make the Most of Your Work 108
 
A Personal Perspective on the Payoff for Hard Work 111
 
5 Working Smarter with Practical Metacognition 117
 
The Input-Processing-Output Model of Learning 121
 
Cognitive Assets You Can Develop to Work Smarter 123
 
Clear Intent 124
 
Appropriate Courage 125
 
Systematic Search and Planning 126
 
Understanding and Managing Time 127
 
Cognitive Flexibility 128
 
Learning from Experience 129
 
Finishing Power 129
 
Pacing on the Path to Positively Smarter 131
 
Practical Metacognition in Action: Lessons from the Grameen Bank 133
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About the author

Marcus Conyers and Donna Wilson are codevelopers of curriculum for the master's and educational specialist degrees with majors in brain-based teaching and a doctoral minor in brain-based leadership with Nova Southeastern University. They are authors of numerous books including, Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice, (2013).
Marcus Conyers is founder of the Center for Innovative Education and Prevention and an international speaker on increasing higher-order thinking skills, achievement, and well-being.
Donna Wilson, PhD, is an educational psychologist and teacher educator who completed postdoctoral studies in structural cognitive modifiability. Former chair of education of the University of Detroit Mercy, she is an adjunct professor at NSU.

Summary

Positively Smarter brings together seven principles for connecting the science of neuroplasticity to practical strategies for enhancing the synergy of happiness, achievement, and physical well-being. Moving beyond common myths, the text builds an evidence-based paradigm to empower readers to take practical steps to move forward.

Report

"A fine book that authoritatively communicates the increasing scientific base to empower educators with solid evidence to improve their professional practice and enhance their own well-being. Former works appropriately had to add perhaps and maybes to much of the text."
Robert Sylwester, EdD, University of Oregon
 
"This book is a captivating read that contains definitive and clear steps to guide the reader on the path to becoming 'positively smarter.' More than a typical 'self-help' book, Positively Smarter provides real, attainable direction for every reader!"
 
Lisa Holder Lohmann, EdD, University of Central Oklahoma
 
"Positively Smarter supports parents as they seek strategies that will support their children in an environment that is changing at record speed."
Kelly Rose, EdD, The Out-of-Door Academy
 
"Positively Smarter is a wonderful resource and thoughtful compilation of ground-breaking research and discoveries into the complex phenomenon of personal success. The integration of scientific data, personal vignettes, and practical suggestions for making positive changes in one's life drives home the idea that with effort, perseverance, hope, and setting realistic goals, we can all succeed."
Carol Mikulka, MD Psychiatrist, Founder and President, Walden School

Product details

• Authors: M Conyers, Marcu Conyers, Marcus Conyers, Marcus Wilson Conyers, Conyers Marcus, Donna Wilson, Donna Conyers Wilson
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.07.2015
• EAN: 9781118926109
• ISBN: 978-1-118-92610-9
• No. of pages: 248
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine; Pädagogik, Psychologie, Education, Theory of Education, Bildungswesen, Psychology, Kognitive Neuropsychologie u. Neurowissenschaft, Cognitive Neuropsychology & Cognitive Neuroscience, Hochschulen / Lehren u. Lernen, Teaching & Learning (Higher Education), Theorie der Pädagogik