Leadership

Neuroplasticity and Decision-Making: How Your Brain Adapts to Make Better Choices

A friend of mine recently asked me “How does long-term neuroplasticity impact decision making?”

Her question got me thinking, about the fact that we are the sum of our experiences and memories. It led to this blog. Neuroplasticity is at the heart of making better decisions, and my book, Decision-Making: How to Make Better Choices in a World Full of Options, dives deeper into how you can train your brain to think more clearly and act with confidence.

Grab your copy here Refine your decision-making skills and avoid common pitfalls.

“Can we train our brains to make better decisions?” The answer lies in neuroplasticity—our brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself based on experience, learning, and practice. Every decision we make strengthens neural pathways, shaping how we think, react, and choose in the future. By understanding neuroplasticity, we can refine our decision-making skills, reduce cognitive overload, and make more confident, effective choices.

How Neuroplasticity Impacts Decision-Making
Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt to new information, making decision-making a skill that improves with practice. Here’s how:

  1. Learning from Experience – Each choice we make strengthens certain neural connections, making similar decisions easier in the future. This is why experienced professionals rely on intuition—it’s a product of well-worn neural pathways developed over time.

  2. Overcoming Cognitive Biases – Our brains are wired with shortcuts (biases) that sometimes lead to poor decisions. By exposing ourselves to different perspectives and actively challenging our biases, we can rewire our thinking for better judgment.

  3. Reducing Decision Fatigue – Making too many choices can be exhausting. By forming habits and streamlining routine decisions, we free up mental energy for more critical choices.

  4. Adapting to New Information – Effective decision-making isn’t about always being right but about adjusting when new facts emerge. Neuroplasticity enables us to pivot and refine choices without feeling stuck in past decisions.

  5. Embracing Uncertainty with Confidence – Through practice and exposure to complex situations, our brains learn to handle uncertainty better. Over time, we become more comfortable making decisions even when outcomes are unclear.

A Personal Example: Decision-Making in a Tabletop RPG
I recently saw neuroplasticity in action in my tabletop RPG group, where we gather every other week to play narrative-driven games. In the past, I would create an exhaustive list of potential campaigns, making it difficult for the group to decide. Now, I realized that too many choices led to analysis paralysis, so I adapted — narrowing options down based on everyone’s preferences. The result? A decision made in just five minutes.

Had I presented 10, 15, or more choices, the extra cognitive load would have delayed the decision-making process. This shift in approach—learning from past experiences to refine decision-making—is a perfect example of neuroplasticity in action.

When Too Many Choices Require Guidance
There are times when narrowing options isn’t possible, and all choices must be presented. In these cases, providing a well-informed perspective can help guide the decision-making process. However, this comes with a caveat—our opinions can influence others, sometimes leading them toward choices they wouldn’t have made on their own, for better or worse.

The Danger of Indecision
A common misconception is that avoiding a decision is a neutral act. In reality, not making a decision is often worse than making the wrong one. As someone known for being factually decisive, I rely on gathering facts, making a choice, and course-correcting when new information arises. This flexible approach, enabled by neuroplasticity, ensures continuous improvement rather than stagnation.

Building Your Decision-Making Muscle
Neuroplasticity is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. By regularly engaging in critical thinking, challenging biases, and learning from past decisions, we can train our brains to make better choices with greater ease. Decision-making isn’t just a skill; it’s a mindset that evolves over time.

So, the next time you face a tough choice, remember: your brain is adaptable, your decisions shape your future, and with practice, you can become a more confident, effective decision-maker.

JPS Nagi
April 17, 2025

Solve Problems, Test Ideas, and Deliver Results

Ever felt like solving big problems takes forever? Enter the Sprint method, a five-day miracle cure for tackling tough challenges and testing new ideas. Inspired by Jake Knapp’s book “Sprint,” this process helps teams move from problem to prototype in record time. Here’s a light-hearted guide to this speedy problem-solving approach.

The Process of the Sprint

Mindmap (Map in the book)

First up, the Map phase. Grab a piece of paper or your favorite note-taking app and start drawing boxes and bubbles. These shapes will represent your inputs (bubbles) and desired outputs (boxes). Connect them together and, voila, you’ll see the process and any missing pieces. Don’t worry if it looks chaotic—this is just the beginning!

Blueprint (Sketch in the book)

Next, it’s time to Sketch. Take your mindmap and start pulling on those threads. What does each input affect? What are the dependencies and outputs? Draw out each process step-by-step. This will give you a clearer, more organized blueprint of your solution. And don’t be shy—get feedback from a trusted colleague or friend over coffee to refine your ideas.

Decision (Decide in the book)

With your blueprint in hand, it’s time to Decide. What’s the best way to follow this plan? Whether it’s using Excel, coding, or another tool, aim for simplicity. As Albert Einstein said, “Everything should be made simple, but not simpler.” Gather your inputs and dependencies, and you’re ready to move forward.

Build (Prototype in the book)

Now comes the fun part: building your Prototype. This is where your hard work starts to take shape. Whether it’s a market model, an automated financial sheet, or a training presentation, roll up your sleeves and get building. It’s all about turning your blueprint into a tangible, testable product.

Review (Test in the book)

Finally, it’s time to Test. Let others take a look at your creation. Encourage them to review it, play around with it, and even break it. Gather their feedback and use it to make improvements. It might be tough to hear criticism, but it’s essential for refining your work and making it the best it can be.

Benefits of Sprint

The Sprint method comes with a bunch of benefits:

  • Speed and Efficiency: Compress months of work into just five days. Get things done fast!
  • Focus and Clarity: Spend a week focused solely on the problem, leading to clearer insights and better solutions.
  • Collaboration: Bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

Practical Applications

The Sprint process isn’t just for tech startups. It’s versatile and can be applied to a range of problems across different industries:

  • Product Design: Quickly iterate and improve new features and user interfaces.
  • Marketing: Test marketing strategies and campaigns before a full-scale launch.
  • Business Strategy: Explore new business models and streamline operations.
  • Non-profits: Develop effective programs and maximize impact.

Conclusion

And there you have it—the Sprint method in a nutshell. It’s a powerful framework for solving big problems and testing new ideas quickly. So, the next time you’re faced with a daunting challenge, give the Sprint a try. You might just be amazed at what you can achieve in five days. Now, take a breather, celebrate your progress, and get ready to do it all over again!

This is inspired by Jake Knapp’s Sprint book. I have used this method since 2016 as a problem-solving methodology.
You can get the PDF template that I use with note taking app on my tablet.
Not affiliated with Jake Knapp in any way. Not for commercial use, only for personal use.

JPS Nagi
June 2024 

 

Sitting with Myself: Uncovering Cultural Influences on Who I Am

I’ve embarked on a journey of self-reflection during the last few years. During these moments of introspection, I began to delve into the intricate ways I approach my tasks and responsibilities. This process uncovered profound insights, particularly regarding the cultural dynamics that shape our formative years, much like the food we grow accustomed to eating.

In competitive cultures, the narrative often starts early: to receive recognition, one must work twice as hard. Achieving an eight out of ten on a test is seldom celebrated; instead, the focus fixates on the two missed points. This relentless pursuit of perfection ties our self-worth to our achievements, overshadowing the importance of celebrating successes, especially those linked to our physical and mental health.

From a young age, many of us are conditioned to prioritize others above ourselves, even if it means giving from an empty cup. This ingrained mindset teaches us to suppress our feelings, to navigate our emotional landscapes alone, and to avoid seeking attention for fear of being labeled an attention seeker. Consequently, we learn to internalize our struggles, often at the expense of our well-being.

The nuances of these cultural dynamics run deep, profoundly influencing our mental and physical health. Addressing the mindset shifts required to maintain consistency in self-care is crucial. It’s not about rebelling against these ingrained patterns; rather, it’s about acknowledging the multitude of ways they shape our lives and finding balance.

What we need is education centered around fostering a positive mindset and promoting physical and mental well-being. By embracing and teaching these principles, we can begin to untangle the complex web of cultural expectations and create a healthier, more balanced approach to life. This journey is about learning to celebrate our achievements, understanding our worth beyond external validation, and prioritizing our health without guilt or hesitation.

JPS Nagi
May 21, 2024