Brain Training to Develop Critical Thinking
Arnold Schwarzenegger, ‘It is the calves… they are our nemesis!’
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been larger than life, physically and in just about every other way.
Body sculptor. Actor. Politician. Celebrity. Influencer, and more…
If you don’t already know him; Britannica has a brief bio here, while Wikipedia a somewhat longer version here.
Exercise is Effortful
Body- sculpting or building, as it is commonly known, is not just about big, but also about proportions. The various muscles and groups of muscles must be huge, hewn in rock, and in conformity.
But not all muscles respond equally to stimulation.
Obtaining bulging biceps and a broad back are relatively easy.
Just look around the gym, you’ll see these body parts in all their glory.
But the calves…
Stubborn. They resist even the most intense stimulation.
Some body builders have implants inserted into their weeny calves to make up for lack of effort.
Arnold had a different solution.
He relates a story from his halcyon body-building days how he tackled the ‘calves’ problem.
Solving the Calves Problem—Self-awareness
The standard kit for gym training was a string vest and long pants.
Great to show off biceps and back yet hide inadequate calves.
An essential gym item?
Mirrors!
Mirrors wall-to-wall—to capture every muscle twitch and shape, each exercise’s profile, each grimace and every drop of perspiration.
Arnold takes a pair of scissors to his gym pants, hacking them off at the knees.
Not only will the rest of the gym see my calves, but the mirrors will keep them in my sight. I will work on them until they are right!
Resistance Training
Physical resistance training, also known as strength training, is a form of exercise that involves using external resistance to strengthen muscles and improve overall fitness.
This resistance can come from weights, resistance bands, machines or even body weight.
How It Works
Muscle Engagement: Resistance creates tension in muscles, prompting them to contract and work against the force.
Adaptation: Over time, muscles adapt by growing stronger, bigger or more enduring, depending on the type of training.
Resistance Training to Develop the Brain and Critical Thinking
You will recall that the practice of Influential Leadership involves a process with three sequential elements: (i) critical thinking, which facilitates (ii) smart choices so we can (iii) produce optimum outcomes.
Critical thinking, a mental process, is not natural to us—humans prefer fast and reactive thinking, rather than effortful and deep thinking.
The brain is like calves, it is resistant to anything except the most intense training…
So, what lessons does Arnold’s calf solution have for the practice of Influential Leadership?
- Arnold was wrong, on at least one point—the brain is the most resistant ‘muscle’ to productive development, growth, adaption and being right.
- Old habits die hard. Cut off the pants to expose the brain to the mirrors of life.
- When you choose to lead you will have to break from the cover of the pack.
- Recognise and admit your situation, your strengths and vulnerabilities. Be self-aware.
- Keep a constant eye on the goal. Make smarter choices so you act productively.
- Exercise the brain until it is shaped right.
- Exercise is effortful and requires discipline to ensure its benefits and longevity.
- There are no quick fixes or implants to develop a critical thinking brain.
- Exercise is working against the norm, going into a state of discomfort. Each day you need to add extra weights to the bar, or you will not see any improvement.
And, why do we care about exercising the calves, and the brain?
- Because we all want to benefit from the best outcomes possible!
Critical thinking is more than writing a smart algorithm, being a clever accountant or managing a business in tough times, even if these are also important.
There are many dimensions to critical thinking, but the one that supports them all is the need to exercise the brain. Brain exercise implies going into new spaces, wrestling with difficult and challenging ideas and being deeply self-aware.
As you head into the first week of April 2025, exercise your calves, and your brain, that’s the only way to get the best!
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
Influential Leaders Exercise their Brain!
Leadership Note # 1325 | 31.03.25
e: colind@karoo.world
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