{"product_id":"positively-smarter-isbn-9781118926093","title":"Positively Smarter","description":"\u003ci\u003ePositively Smarter\u003c\/i\u003e brings together seven principles for connecting the science of neuroplasticity to practical strategies for enhancing the synergy of happiness, achievement, and physical well-being. Moving beyond common myths, the text builds an evidence-based paradigm to empower readers to take practical steps to move forward.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eBrings together current research on cognitive psychology, education (learning), and implications of neuroscience to suggest powerful ways to enhance the kind of cognitive function and productivity that leads to happiness and success\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eApplies implications of current research showing that happiness is a skill and that positive affect can lead to higher levels of creative problem solving, productivity, achievement, and well-being\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eShares research and strategies for supporting physical activity and nutrition that may enhance neuroplasticity, cognitive performance, and positive affect\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePuts learners first and then brings in the science, presenting creative or adaptive strategies that can be applied in the real world\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes action assessments to guide readers in taking concrete steps to achieve the goals they set for themselves\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIdentifies deeply held assumptions that innate talent, genes, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity mean that a significant percentage of the population lacks the neurocognitive potential to achieve at higher levels\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDraws on the authors’ research from a broad range of fields in order to maximize the positive impact of a synergistic approach\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e Acknowledgments xiii \u003cp\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppreciating Brain Plasticity: The Key to Redefining Potential 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Path to Positively Smarter 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur Personal Introductions to the Science That Supports Ways for Becoming Positively Smarter 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Building a Smarter Brain 11\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeuroplasticity in Action 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour Brain at Work: A Continual Construction Zone 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeyond Conventional Wisdom: Harnessing Your Neurocognitive Synergy 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntelligence Takes Many Forms 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeople of All Ages Have the Capacity to Improve Their Knowledge and Abilities 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat We Do Has a Greater Influence on How We Age Than Genetics 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow We Think Can Influence Our Health 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe Can Build Muscle and Become Stronger Well into Our Eighties 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt’s Hard to Identify the Children Who Are “Destined for Greatness” 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceptions about Malleable vs. Fixed Intelligence Matter—a Lot 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlasticity as a Path to Becoming Positively Smarter 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA New Positive Paradigm 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Innate Talent (IT) Paradigm 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Untapped Potential (UP) Paradigm 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Why Happiness Matters 41\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReaping the Many Benefits of Happiness 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eI’ll Be Happy When . . . 45\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat Is This Thing Called Happiness? 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpirituality and Religion as Sources of Happiness 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTapping into the Science of Happiness 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAchieving Greater Happiness Through Practical Metacognition 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eApplying the CIA Model 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCIA in Action: Happiness and Subjective Well-Being 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Stop Daydreaming and Start Thinking Your Way to Higher Levels of Happiness 60\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConnecting Thinking and Feeling 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Focused Fifteen 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1. Savor the Wow of Now 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2. Work at Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude with Positive Self-Talk 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3. Picture a Positive Future 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4. Kindness the Killer App 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5. Active Appreciation: Create and Tune into Your Appreciation Station 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e6. Give It a Break: Hang Your Problems Away for a While 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7. Treat Your Relationships Like a Treasure (Because They Are) 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8. Pursue Flow 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9. Pursue Smarter Goals 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10. Enhance Your Resilience: Build Your Own Palmetto Fort 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11. Untie the Knots That Bind: Free Yourself with Forgiveness 83\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12. Move Your Body, Boost Your Mood 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13. Smile, and Your Brain Smiles with You 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14. Play to Your Peak Strengths 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e15. Practice the Art of Treasuring 86\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow to Be Less HappyMore of the Time 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaintain Your Positive Focus by Playing Your ACE 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Working Toward Achieving Your Goals 92\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRealizing Our Potential 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Natural” Talent vs. Deliberate Practice 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMotivation to Take Positive Risks 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding “Flow” 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting Your Will to Work 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting Gritty as a Path to Achievement 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuild Your “Memory Muscle” to Make the Most of Your Work 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA Personal Perspective on the Payoff for Hard Work 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Working Smarter with Practical Metacognition 117\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Input–Processing–Output Model of Learning 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCognitive Assets You Can Develop to Work Smarter 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClear Intent 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppropriate Courage 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSystematic Search and Planning 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding and Managing Time 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCognitive Flexibility 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearning from Experience 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinishing Power 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePacing on the Path to Positively Smarter 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractical Metacognition in Action: Lessons from the Grameen Bank 133\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 Better Together 136\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBorn to Be Social: Impact on Health and Well-Being 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnatomy of the Social Brain 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting “Socially Smarter” 143\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccentuate the Positive 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolish Your Listening Skills 146\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsider Others’ Points of View 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablish Rapport 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearn Together 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBecome a Great Encourager 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContribute to the “Social Capital” of Your Community 152\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeing Social in a High-Tech World 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Building a Smarter Body–Brain System Through Exercise 159\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWork Out the Body to Keep the Brain Young 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNew Muscle Is Young Muscle 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Body–Brain System Inside and Outside the Classroom 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReward Your Body with Adequate Rest 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFind What You Love 169\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Exercise Part of Your Routine 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting the Research on Exercise into Personal Practice 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow Heart Rate Route to Runners’ High 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWinning Our Blades: A Positive Payoff 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Fuel Your Body–Brain System for Peak Performance 177\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Brain Benefits of “Going Mediterranean” 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat’s on Your Plate? 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy and How to Eat Smarter 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetter by the Dozen: Twelve Power Foods to Fuel Well-Being 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducational Implications of Becoming “HealthWise” 191\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Bringing It All Together, Putting It into Practice 197\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForging a New Foundation Grounded in Neuroplasticity 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamples of the UP Paradigm in Practice 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeven Principles of the Positively Smarter Approach 202\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 1: Keep Neuroplasticity Front of Mind 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 2: Build the Skills of Optimism and Happiness 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 3: Appreciate Your Potential to Become Smarter 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 4: Apply Practical Metacognition and Cognitive Assets 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 5: Use Your Social Brain to Enhance Well-Being and Achievement 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 6: Get Moving to Grow Your Brain (and Become Fitter, Stronger, Smarter, and Happier) 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrinciple 7: Fuel Your Body–Brain System to Enhance Productivity and Learning 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCapitalize on Your Neurocognitive Synergy 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Practical Metacognition Process for Pursuing Important Goals 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThanks for Joining Us on a Journey to Becoming Positively Smarter 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppendix 212\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 219\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout the Authors 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarcus Conyers and Donna Wilson are codevelopers of curriculum for the master’s and educational specialist degrees with majors in brain-based teaching and a doctoral minor in brain-based leadership with Nova Southeastern University. They are authors of numerous books including, \u003ci\u003eFive Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice (\u003c\/i\u003e2013).\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarcus Conyers\u003c\/b\u003e is founder of the Center for Innovative Education and Prevention and an international speaker on increasing higher-order thinking skills, achievement, and well-being.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDonna Wilson\u003c\/b\u003e, PhD, is an educational psychologist and teacher educator who completed postdoctoral studies in structural cognitive modifiability. Former chair of education of the University of Detroit Mercy, she is an adjunct professor at NSU.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePositively Smarter\u003c\/i\u003e brings together seven principles for connecting the science of neuroplasticity to practical strategies for enhancing the synergy of happiness, achievement, and physical well-being. Moving beyond common myths and misconceptions that these three areas of life are largely driven by innate talent, genes, and external circumstances, the text builds an evidence-based paradigm so readers can take practical steps to improve cognitive function. The authors have drawn their research from a broad range of fields in order to maximize the positive impact of a synergistic approach.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis pioneering book explores research on the big ideas that can have a positive influence on – and even transform – our lives by focusing on practical learning strategies. The text provides the science, structures, and strategies for creating a more effective system, so that learners are equipped to achieve goals and realize more of their unique potential across the learning life span.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“A fine book that authoritatively communicates the increasing scientific base to empower educators with solid evidence to improve their professional practice and enhance their own well-being. Former works appropriately had to add \u003ci\u003eperhaps\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003emaybes\u003c\/i\u003e to much of the text.\"\u003cbr\u003eRobert Sylwester, EdD, University of Oregon\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“This book is a captivating read that contains definitive and clear steps to guide the reader on the path to becoming ‘positively smarter.’ More than a typical ‘self-help’ book, \u003ci\u003ePositively Smarter \u003c\/i\u003eprovides real, attainable direction for every reader!”\u003cbr\u003eLisa Holder Lohmann, EdD, University of Central Oklahoma\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e “\u003ci\u003ePositively Smarter\u003c\/i\u003e supports parents as they seek strategies that will support their children in an environment that is changing at record speed.”\u003cbr\u003eKelly Rose, EdD, The Out-of-Door Academy \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e “\u003ci\u003ePositively Smarter\u003c\/i\u003e is a wonderful resource and thoughtful compilation of ground-breaking research and discoveries into the complex phenomenon of personal success. The integration of scientific data, personal vignettes, and practical suggestions for making positive changes in one’s life drives home the idea that with effort, perseverance, hope, and setting realistic goals, we can all succeed.”\u003cbr\u003eCarol Mikulka, MD, Psychiatrist, Founder and President, Walden School\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989820948709,"sku":"NP9781118926093","price":65.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781118926093.jpg?v=1761785572","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/positively-smarter-isbn-9781118926093","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}