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Hey there smarty parents. If you love learning new things with Whosmarted, then we've got something super exciting to share, especially for you.
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All the grownups out there, you already.
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Know who Smarted is the hilarious and educational show that makes kids, and let's be honest, parents too, laugh while learning about science, history and the world around us. But what if we told you that the same brains behind this show have created something just for for adults? It's called the Daily Brain, a brand new podcast that gives your brain a quick daily workout in under 10 minutes. Hosted by me, Jerry Kolber, aka the trusty narrator, the Daily Brain dives into fascinating stories from history, reveals how your brain actually works, and gives you simple but powerful tricks to be smarter, sharper and more focused every day. So grownups, if you're ready to level up your thinking, stick around for a special preview of the Daily Brain.
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Hello and welcome to the Daily Brain, your go to podcast for boosting your brain power with simple, actionable exercises in just 10 minutes a day or less. I'm your host, Jerry Coleman. As the co creator of brain games Brainchild and who's Smarted? I've spent years exploring the little changes that can lead to big improvements in how we think, work and live. Today, we're talking about one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for better decision making. The pause. Whether it's deciding how to respond in a tense meeting, or what to say in a heated argument, or whether to hit send on that risky email, taking just a few seconds to pause can completely change the outcome. Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment that you immediately regretted or made a split second decision, only to realize minutes later that it wasn't the best choice? Or have you ever hit send on an email and really wished you could take it back? If so, you are not alone. Acting on impulse is part of being human. But the good news is that being human means we also have a simple way to counteract it. To understand how powerful the pause can be, let's look at someone who mastered this skill long before neuroscience proved its benefits. Abraham Lincoln.
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Wake up to a brand new day. Time to clear the fog away with the Daily Brain. Here we go.
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It's the middle of the American Civil.
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War, and Abraham Lincoln is under immense pressure.
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Every decision he makes as President affects the lives of millions. In the face of constant criticism from his political rivals, the press, and even his own cabinet, Lincoln developed a remarkable.
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Strategy for managing his emotions and making thoughtful decisions.
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When Lincoln felt angry or upset, he would write what he called a hot letter. He'd pour all his frustrations into these letters, venting his anger in raw, unfiltered words.
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But here's the twist.
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He never, never sent them. Instead, he'd set them aside, sometimes for days, allowing himself time to cool off and gain perspective.
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One of these letters was addressed to.
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General George Meade after Meade failed to decisively pursue Confederate troops following the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln was furious. In his letter, he expressed deep disappointment, blaming Meade for missing a chance to end the war sooner. But after writing it, Lincoln paused. He reflected on the situation and ultimately decided not to send the letter, realizing it would do more harm than good. This act of pausing, of stepping back before reacting, became one of Lincoln's most effective tools for navigating some of the.
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Toughest challenges in American history.
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So what can we learn from Lincoln? The pause isn't about suppressing your emotions or avoiding decisions. It's about giving yourself the space to.
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Think clearly before you act.
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And here's the science behind it. When we're under stress, our brain's amygdala, the part responsible for our fight or flight response, takes over. This is why we often act impulsively in high pressure situations. But when we pause, even for a few seconds, we activate the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for logic, reasoning, and self control. This shift allows us to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. Lets bring this into your daily life with a simple tool I like to call the three second pause. This technique helps you create a moment of clarity before you act. Whether you're responding to an email, making a decision in a meeting, or handling a difficult conversation, here's how the 3 second pause works. Step 1 Recognize the moment Anytime you feel yourself about to react impulsively, whether it's a tense email, a heated conversation, or a sudden decision, stop and acknowledge what's happening. Think this is my chance to pause. Step 2 Take three slow breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose. Hold for a second and exhale slowly through your mouth. Do this three times. This calms your nervous system and shifts control back to your prefrontal cortex. Step 3 Ask yourself one question before responding. Ask what is the outcome I want here? This question helps you focus on your goals instead of your emotions. Step four Proceed thoughtfully. Once you've taken those three breaths and clarified your goal, you can respond with intention instead of reacting out of impulse. Let's put this into action with a real life example. Imagine you're in a meeting and someone.
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Criticizes an idea that you've just shared.
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Your first instinct might be to defend yourself or lash out, but instead you use the three second pause.
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First, you recognize the moment. You've noticed the tension rising in your.
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Body and think pause before responding. Then you take three breaths. You breathe deeply, calming yourself and giving your brain a moment to catch up. Next, you ask yourself one question. You think, what's my goal here? To defend my idea or to encourage collaboration? Finally, you proceed thoughtfully. You respond calmly, saying, I appreciate the feedback. Can you share more about your concerns so we can address them together? This simple act of pause pausing transforms a potentially heated exchange into a productive conversation. And there you have it. The power of the pause. By taking just a few seconds to stop, breathe and think, you can make better decisions, reduce stress, and improve your relationships. Remember, even Abraham Lincoln, facing some of the most intense challenges in history, relied on the pause to lead with wisdom and clarity. If it worked for him, it can work for us too. Try the three second pause today, whether it's before responding to an email, making a decision, or engaging in a tough conversation. If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe to the Daily Brain and leave us a review. And for more about the 3 second pause and all of our exercises, go to DailyBrain Life. Until next time, stay curious, stay thoughtful, and keep your brain sharp.
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And there you have it. The Daily Brain. The fast, fun and fascinating way to train your mind in just a few minutes a day. If you liked what you heard, go subscribe to the Daily Brain wherever you get your podcasts by searching for the Daily Brain or clicking the link in the episode description New episodes drop every single weekday to help you think faster, remember more, and even make better decisions. And don't worry, smarty pants who's Smarted will be back soon with more hilarious, fact filled adventures for the whole family. But for now, why not give your grown up brain a workout? Go check out the Daily Brain because being smart never goes out of style.