Reversing time, embracing stupidity and mastering inner happiness

No one wants to grow old. Aging is inevitable and yet we all try to defy it in our own ways.

The rise of Botox and other cosmetic procedures has only made this more apparent.

But what if there was a better way to stay young without messing with our faces?

A week-long experiment with 75-year-old men proves this is possible.

In 1979, psychologist Ellen Langer immersed this group of men in a unique retreat experience where they were told to pretend like they were in the year 1959 and hence 20 years younger.

To make the scenario real, they were given reading material from no later than 1959, ID badges with pictures of their 50-year-old selves, and a mandate to act, dress and speak about events relevant to that year.

Langer’s purpose of this experiment was clear: To prove that our mental construction and the way we perceive ourselves have a direct effect on physical age.

And so the results spoke to exactly that. On testing the 75-year-olds before and after the experiment, there were significant improvements in their physical strength, posture, cognition, memory, and even intelligence levels.

So much so that there were obvious changes in their physical appearance too. Random people with no context of the experiment were asked to guess their age. The 75-year-olds were observed to look three years younger.

All of this in a matter of a week.

Given the power of the mind, our reality is far more malleable than we think.

Applying this principle to other areas of life, imagine the myriad of possibilities that could unfold.

Stupid as the new smart

Before we even can tie our laces, we learn to associate intelligence with 'knowing it all'.

Who doesn't want those extra stars or candy from the teacher hey?

No surprise that we take this attitude into the workplace and social situations pretending to have all the answers, acting like our views deserve precedence over everyone else's.

The result of this arrogance is less respect and even lesser credibility.

Adopting some humility and curiosity is all it takes to reverse that.

Here are 3 mindset shifts to lead with true intelligence:

1. My rationality is limited and biased towards my experience of the world.
2. Other perspectives are complementary and there is something to learn from each one
3. Mistakes are opportunities for growth

Operate with this awareness and you can't go wrong, even when you are. 

The Key to inner happiness

99% of our problems can be history if we learn to manage our minds and regulate our emotions.

At the root of our suffering lies a lack of self-awareness and the world becomes an easy scapegoat.

Becoming emotionally intelligent can change that reality and consequently lead to peace of mind, happier relationships, and higher impact.

Our entire narrative since school has been about becoming book-smart. It’s time to change that. It’s time to become emotion-smart.

In case you missed me last week…

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