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Activate Your Brain: How Understanding Your Brain Can Improve Your Work - and Your Life
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Activate Your Brain: How Understanding Your Brain Can Improve Your Work - and Your Life

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3.98  ·  Rating details ·  404 ratings  ·  41 reviews
A Wall Street Journal bestselling ebook!
Axiom Business Book Bronze Award Winner

Push your brain to full power, for success at the office and at home

Would you like more control over your life and your work?

Would you like greater stamina as you carry out your daily tasks?

How about more significance and meaning as you move forward in your career?

Scott Halford shows us how
...more
Hardcover, 248 pages
Published May 5th 2015 by Greenleaf Book Group Press
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Average rating 3.98  · 
Rating details
 ·  404 ratings  ·  41 reviews


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Marlene
May 04, 2015 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: self-help
The brain operates differently depending on whether it feels safe or threatened. What we choose to think about, to mull on, can either make life better or worse by giving us a feeling of more control or less control. Even slight brain-friendly choices affect our brain functions, and can dramatically alter our energy, motivation, and sense of control. Activation begins with understanding that the ability to make choices puts us in control, is experienced as a desirable reward by the brain, and im ...more
Dan
Apr 08, 2015 rated it really liked it
Shelves: personal-growth
*I received this complimentary copy from Greenleaf Book Group Press in exchange for my honest review.

Scott G. Halford has written a book on how to improve your work and life by understanding your brain. This is not a neurological book, thought neuroscience is used. It is not a diet book for brain function, though food is mentioned.

Rather, it is about how the brains functions from outside and inside influences and how the reader can use this information to maximize their brain function. The boo
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Heidi Yeranossian
May 06, 2015 rated it it was amazing
Lucky me, I got to read an advanced copy of ACTIVATE YOUR BRAIN. Scott Halford has a gift for distilling complex information about how the brain functions into easy-to-understand strategies and tools people can activate to transform how they operate at work and in life. Scott’s signature style marries research, anecdotal information, humor and inspiration to help readers build a bridge between the complexities of neuroscience and the boots-on-the-ground demands of business. The book is filled wi ...more
Sheryl
Aug 21, 2015 rated it really liked it
We easily take working our brain to its maximum limit for granted. This book reminds us of the value of having our brain take some time off and offers practical solutions to put it into play. It helped that writing was simple and straightforward yet sincere.
Martina
Apr 16, 2015 rated it it was amazing
I absolutely recommend this extremely informative book and give it a top rating. It contains such an incredible wealth of information that it is impossible to summarize in a few lines or paragraphs but I want to give you at least an impression as to why I find it so impressive.

This book is about “getting to know your brain” and I was amazed to learn what broad spectrum of factors have an impact our brain health. The author starts by describing the 3 brains which are responsible for our automate
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Paul Franco
May 07, 2015 rated it really liked it
At first glance it seems this is going to be yet another motivational tome, and in a way it is, but it wanders to a lot of places I would not have expected. For example, there’s a bit on neurology near the beginning, as if to show that this is not your average self-help book. Another thing it tells you at the start is that this book is most focused on the brains of businesspeople.
But for the most part it is like others I’ve read in this genre. Each chapter covers something specific, such as slee
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Melek
May 15, 2015 rated it really liked it
Activate Your Brain might be the best self-help book I've read on the very subject of brain and how it works. It is detailed enough to be informative and short enough to stop before it starts to get boring. I haven't read almost any of the books this book talks about, but from what I've seen so far, they look like they would be helpful to those who are into learning more. I know I will be checking out some of them.

Overall, this book sums up many things you've heard or read about getting enough s
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capsaicine
Nov 01, 2015 rated it really liked it
There wasn't anything particular new here for me, that I didn't already know from studying neuro in med school. However, I think it could shed light on the importance of sleep for others less well versed in neuroscience. What I did find interesting was the idea of coactive versus interactive work with others; it explicates why studying in the same space as my boyfriend, even when we are working on different lectures, makes us more productive. ...more
Bruce Wischow
Dec 06, 2019 rated it did not like it  ·  review of another edition
Just seems same old, same old pablum.
Nadya Tsech
Jun 07, 2018 rated it liked it
Shelves: non-fiction
“My goal with this book is to give you an awareness of the powerful little device harbored in your skull.”
This book teaches us a basic self-care practice: how to get plenty of energy and high-quality brain cells, and how to let our brain rest and fight dementia.

The first part of the book focuses more on motivation, willpower, and confidence. The second part is about mental and physical exercises, food for the brain, meditation, an explanation of how chemistry affects our brain, and how we can us
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Hildo Maus
Jun 16, 2020 rated it it was amazing
One of the best books I read this year. It puts together explanations about the clash of physical and emotional effects in our brain and how this affects our lives. Great writing, rhythm and narrative. It took almost 2 months to receive this book in Brazil and it was so well paid off. If you are looking for a book to explain how your brain works but not in a super technical way, this is it. It’s a must read Ymir you are studying neuroscience and human behavior.
AHMED I SABET
Jan 07, 2018 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Brain owner's manual

Excellent book with actionable insights that can be applied immediately. I already started using some of the techniques (and have a long list of additional ones to try) and can see positive results.

Most interesting of all is that many of the techniques were shown to me by my amazing wife over the course of our marriage
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Wayne Lin
I’m passionate about neuroscience- the human brain is always an endless source of fascination for me, which is why I picked up this book with high hopes.

Unfortunately there isn’t that much neuro, or science in this book. It’s a mindset/self-help book, and while it does provide valuable tips and practices that can be incorporated into your life, wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
Mallory
Apr 27, 2020 rated it liked it
Enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of the human brain and how to better take care of it. The book was a nice mix of scientific research, stories from industry experience, and tactical 'activation' suggestions the make small behavior changes. Found it an interesting read and already applying practices in my life. ...more
Neenz Faleafine
Feb 06, 2018 rated it it was amazing
It took me awhile to get through this book because I didn’t set aside the time to read as I usually do, however when I did — it was hard to close. There is so much practical information to improving my brain that I found myself re-reading some parts just to fully digest it all.
Ian McGaffey
May 19, 2019 rated it really liked it
I got this as an advance copy years ago, and finally got around to it. This was a good in depth look at how our brains can be trained and used as a tool for greater success. From health tips to how the brain works the author covers a lot of useful insights on how to better access our potential.
Wayne Sigle
Aug 23, 2019 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
excellent book for helping to understand your motivations and reactions to situations as well as those of others. and tons of information on how to be a better person and to interact with others cooperatively
Sherdog
Aug 29, 2019 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Great read...learn something new and valuable

Really liked how easy this book was to read and the down to earth delivery of material. I try to learn new things each and every day and gained so many nuggets of knowledge from this book.
Nick Affolter
Jan 10, 2020 rated it it was amazing
Great read that takes research and makes it applicable. Really like how Scott uses “Activation” as a way of making it real for you. Can be tough to pull this off in a non-cheesy way and he nails it.

Start small. Smart now.
Carrie
Dec 22, 2020 rated it really liked it
Surprise! /s/ Here's how to have a good brain:
-eat and drink healthily
-get adequate rest and sleep
-engage in mental and physical exercise

Still giving it a good rating, because it's solid information!
...more
Stephanie
Jun 04, 2017 rated it really liked it
highly recommended
easy to understand and loaded with practical ideas


thank you for choosing me to receive a free copy via goodreads giveaways.
David
Jul 29, 2017 rated it liked it
Shelves: leadership
simple brain functions and hacks to improve your day
Erik
Dec 01, 2017 rated it it was amazing
Definitely it is a book which needs to be revisited in order to apply in your life what you have learned from it.
Sepidehhockley
Apr 21, 2019 rated it it was amazing
Brings such clarity to our daily work interactions.
Murilo Spino
Mar 23, 2020 rated it liked it
Good content, but could be 3 10-minute videos on youtube
Darren
Jul 04, 2015 rated it really liked it
Who wouldn’t want to improve their lot, getting greater success at work and enjoying life even more? All from just using their “grey matter” a little.

Well this book, which seeks to help the reader to activate their brain, promises a lot and believes that it is possible to harness the power of the mind, understand what makes us tick and move on to greater, err, greatness.

One cannot necessarily say that this is a bad book. You have to certainly believe in it and for many the book might not contain
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Debbie
Sep 19, 2015 rated it really liked it
Shelves: non-fiction
"Activate Your Brain" contains advice for managers on how to get the most out of themselves and their team at work. I've read this advice in relationship books for years. The author found brain studies that back this advice up then applied it to business-related situations. It's good advice and will work, but it's not new just because they put a brain on the cover.

The first two chapters were heavy on jargon with references to "mammalian brain, "reptilian brain," "human brain," and the names of h
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moxieBK

Activate Your Brain - Scott G. Halford

This was not at all what I thought it would be about. I was anticipating a light, pleasurable read. Instead, it turned out to be dense and plodding, with fact-real-life examples (you know the kind, it starts out: "I have a friend, let's call her Marie..." and then proceeds to walk you through Marie's issue.) I really do not like those kind of self-help/awareness issues.

The book seemed to really get tied down into the nitty gritty, science of mumbo-jumbo. An
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Greg
Sep 15, 2015 rated it really liked it
Shelves: self-help, health
This book is perfect for understanding the simple things that anyone can do to start taking their brains to the next level. I find it interesting that this covers multiple areas on how to take care of our brain such as giving it a mental exercise, eating the right food, managing emotions, etc.

Moreover, despite the fact that the book mentioned several scientific terms, the author was able to explain those in a very easy to understand way. This would greatly help those who are not so fond of scien
...more
 Reading Reindeer 2021 On Proxima Centauri
REVIEW: ACTIVATE YOUR BRAIN by Scott G. Halford

It's difficult to think of any individual who wouldn't benefit from this book--possibly Gandhi or Mother Teresa, but they're both deceased. ACTIVATE YOUR BRAIN appeals to anyone stressed out, anyone desiring to make changes successfully, and to do so without incurring additional layers of stress. Author Scott G. Halford works from the foundation we all share-our incredible, amazingly underutilized, brain.
...more
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