“If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask!” W. CLEMENT STONE

Getting what you want isn’t always easy, and, for many, neither is the asking. Yet, the ability to make clear, concise requests is a hallmark of those who achieve what they want in life, to include personal success and great relationships.

If you read this and are thinking, “but I do ask,” “it falls on deaf ears,” or “nothing works,” etc., think again.

It’s not uncommon for people to think they are making requests when instead they’re merely venting, complaining, or repeating a well-worn mini-lecture.

An exciting and promising race is on to translate recent neuroscience findings into practical applications in personal and professional arenas.

The study of the nervous system of the brain and body – the field of neuroscience – is increasingly going mainstream.

More and more, what’s on the minds of an increasing number of people is … their own mind.

Among the most amazing discovery is plasticity, a remarkable capacity that allows the brain to generate new neurons all the time, according to neuroscientist Antonio Damasio, and to renew and to reorganize its basic structure of neurons indefinitely.

In this series of posts, we’ll consider 3 basic ways in which your brain regularly adapts to change. The more you get to know your brain, the more you understand the ability you have to inspire optimal behaviors in yourself and others, and to direct changes to limiting patterns. Believe it or not, you come fully equipped to wisely and effectively address the inherent challenges of life.

What types of changes does your brain adapt?

The brain adapts to three basic types of change. Essentially, it: (I) strengthens current behaviors; (II) expands or modifies existing behavior patterns; and (III) accommodates completely new behaviors.

It’s quite amazing when you think of it. You and your body are wired to work together to spark neurochemical changes in your brain in the direction of your highest good and happiness. Certain learned neural patterns of thinking, however, interfere with these natural impulses.

Toxic thinking is a protective strategy that unnecessarily activates the body’s survival response. Though well-meaning, essentially, it’s an ineffective way of dealing with painful feelings, such as not feeling “good enough,” deserving enough” or “having enough” in relation to others, all of which are a natural part of dealing with life or relationship issues, and other stress situations.

Your brain is wired to produce change, a constant in the brain, as it is in life.

Change involves learning, and all learning generates change in the brain. When you seek to replace a behavior, such as a toxic thinking pattern, your actions produce neurochemical and molecular changes in cells known as neurons.

As messengers, neurons communicate by transmitting electrical signals between them, and these signals are activated by the exchange of chemicals in the synapses.

Your brain and body is a sophisticated communication network. Your subconscious mind, the mind of your body, manages all of the systemic processes that you do not have to think about – as well as all of your personal requests, wants or commands – both conscious and subconscious.