“The mind is like a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.”
– Idowu Koyenikan
Last week, I hosted a workshop with about 20 business owners and CEOs.
During the day, we had a discussion about trends and opportunities.
The obvious one that got air time was Artificial Intelligence. But another topic caught my attention—even though it didn’t get as much focus—the increasing concern among leaders for the mental health of their employees, coupled with a decline in creative and critical thinking.
Mental health used to be just a well-being issue. Now, it’s becoming a productivity and performance issue.
Over the weekend, I read an article in The Financial Times titled ‘The Human Mind Is In A Recession.’
I think this is true – and it seems to me to be getting worse.
The journalist highlighted an emerging area of research emphasising the importance of “Brain Capital”—a combination of brain health, cognitive capacity, and critical thinking skills.
But right now, “Brain Capital” is under immense pressure.
Burnout, anxiety, and depression cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. Research by the World Health Organisation has shown that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and has increased 89% since 1990. At the same time, there is a worrying decline in attention span due to living in a world built on distraction.
Recent research by the World Economic Forum states that creativity, resilience, and critical thinking are among the top competencies set to grow in importance over the next five years.
For all the talk of artificial intelligence, the most powerful computer on Earth remains the human brain. It can perform the same number of operations per second as the world’s supercomputers—yet it only requires the energy equivalent of a fridge lightbulb.
Here’s an important question:
In a world where AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace and attention is increasingly fragmented, how are you actively investing in your own ‘brain capital’—for yourself, your team, and even your family?
Are you cultivating deep thinking, cognitive resilience, and mental clarity to stay ahead in business and life?
Because here’s the truth:
The most valuable asset you have isn’t technology
—it’s the quality of your thinking.
Best,
Shane
P.S. MindShift 2025 starts tomorrow (18th February).
It’s designed to improve your Brain Capital significantly.
Make 2025 a year of genuine transformation. Details here.
The Inner Edge Podcast – Most Recent Episode:
Ep 218: Worry Less, Live More – The Mindset Shift You Need
Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.
Up Your Game: Have you checked out my online academy? It has a range of products that will help you raise your game in all areas. More details here.
