Jean-Philippe

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June 1, 2021

Secrets on How to improve Hair Healthy Growth?

Whether your strands are a bit sparse or you’re looking for more length, here’s some for growing your healthiest, lushest hair from root to ends.

Are there Secrets on How to improve Hair Healthy Growth?

First, know this: Growing your hair longer and thicker takes time.

Hair grows about six inches each year on average, but that can feel minimal — especially because most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day.

Plus, hair that’s naturally fine or thin is genetic, and the length you can achieve is determined by the amount of time your strands stay in their growth cycle.

Get frequent trims.

A paradox right? but if you want longer hair, you need regular cuts (about every seven weeks). While a haircut doesn’t make your hair grow faster, it gets rid of split ends that break your strands.

When a split end breaks, it means your hair loses length — as well as volume, smoothness, and shine. At the salon, request a dusting from your stylist, meaning just the hair’s tips are cut, which gets rid of damaged ends but maintains most of the length.

Color carefully.

Making drastic color changes to your hair, like going from a darker shade to a light one, could stand between you and your longest possible hair.

When the cuticle, or outer layer, of hair, is damaged from bleach, you can have more split ends and breakage.

The fewer chemical treatments you get, the better your hair will grow. (among the culprits: chemical hair color, smoothing processes like keratin treatments, hair relaxers, and perms.)

Keep brushing.

An old Habit passed on from mother to daughter for generations, “to brush hair 30 times in the morning and the same before going to bed”

Giving your hair a few quick brush strokes in the morning and at night before going to bed, would be good for its health (and length).

Starting at the scalp, use a boar-bristle brush to distribute your scalp’s natural oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized. The oils form a coating over strands that can help protect hair from damage.

Eat protein-rich foods.

Growing your longest, strongest strands doesn’t just depend on what you do to your hair; it also has to do with what you put into your body.

To promote hair growth, you need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside. Foods high in protein, the building block of hair, can help hair grow faster.

Protein can come from meats and plant sources. Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Women who don’t get enough protein often experience their hair shedding more.

Add a vitamin to your a.m. routine.

You can also supplement your diet to help boost hair growth. Look for a multivitamin that’s formulated and labeled ‘for hair, skin, and nails. Those contain important vitamins like biotin and vitamins B and C that support hair health.

To skip, or not to skip the daily shampoo.

To help grow stronger strands, Avoid aggressive generic brands, and choose a mild and gentle Shampoo, Then it won’t matter.

Shampooing two to three or more times per week will still allow the scalp’s natural oils to coat hair, helping it hydrate and repair itself, For fuller-looking strands, choose a formula labeled “volumizing” or “thickening,”.

Keep showers cooler.

A hot shower can dehydrate your skin — and it also is rough on your hair. Turn the water temperature down when shampooing. And give your scalp extra TLC: Massage shampoo in at the roots to clear buildup that can inhibit hair growth.

Condition with love.

Regularly coating your strands in a deep conditioner or hair mask detangles hair and helps prevent damage that can lead to breakage and loss of length. Once per week or as needed, in place of your regular conditioner, smooth a hair-treatment mask from roots to tips.

Don’t be afraid of weighing down strands, it will nourish intensely without feeling heavy on fine or thin hair, as long as you rinse thoroughly.

Be gentle when brushing wet hair.

Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it’s wet. Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break. Instead, brush dry hair before shampooing. If you have to detangle it when it’s wet, towel-dry it first so it no longer drips, apply a leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair.

Avoid excessive heat styling.

Stop over-styling; heat from hot tools like blow-dryers and irons can damage hair’s outer layer, making it prone to fracturing and breaking. If you must use heat, decrease the temp and always apply a heat-protectant styling product to shield against damage.

Get to the root of it.

Underlying causes may be contributing to your hair-growth issues. One in four women reports thinning hair — not counting those born with thin or sparse strands.

Hair loss is often hereditary, or androgenic, thinning and tends to appear as a widening center part. Another common type is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding because of hormones, as in post-pregnancy, or health issues such as thyroid or autoimmune disease and anemia. With TE, hair generally grows back once the problem is treated; see a doctor for a diagnosis.

May 4, 2021

Curly Hair after lock-down, now what?

While the journey to embracing one’s hair in all its natural glory might have begun as a necessity (thanks to the absence of hairdressers this past year during COVID-19 ) it now feels wholly worthwhile.

A lack of heat and more time spent nurturing your waves, coils, and curls, meaning that each strand is now healthier, stronger, and more robust, and hair overall is bouncy, more manageable, and frizz-free. A good result all around.

Inevitably, haircuts are now required – but the question is, what style should curly girls opt for as they hit the hair salon again? A lot of people have begun wearing their hair in its natural state and embracing its texture.

And the latest way to wear natural hair is all about opting for a short haircut, bob, or layers, but really working with the texture you’ve got. If you’ve got curly hair, you’re having layers cut in to enhance those curls.

Or if you’ve got coily hair, then it’s about creating a really beautiful shape to the hair and enhancing it.”

Whatever your choice of haircut, instead of disguising your texture or using the cut to play it down, it’s time to draw attention to it and make it a feature. It is this, that will help bring out the best in the haircut too.

While those with curls often have haircuts with “solid baselines” and heavy bangs, the modern way to do this is to introduce other elements to the haircut.

You can introduce layers into the haircut by taking the fringe slightly further back, for example. So it’s a heavier, deeper bangs, which then creates a gentle, disconnected layer through the top and brings the idea of layers into play – but really gently.

It is about the ultra-positive heads of natural, healthy hair when visiting the salon and it’s more than just a “trend” but is, rather, a movement that isn’t going anywhere.

Start by choosing a gentle and good hair care shampoo and conditioner, to help hair health and intensely hydrate and condition.

It’s about bringing the best out of your hair with natural texture rather than, you know, trying to straighten it out – you’ll find hair moves naturally and feels and looks beautiful.

September 15, 2019

What Is a Good Shampoo !!

What Is a Good Shampoo for your hair….

At Salon California, we ask the question : What shampoo is an ideal shampoo?

If you notice that your strands are falling out more than usual?… that is attributed to several factors, one of them could be the Shampoo you use, and can greatly impact the overall health and appearance.

We ask: What Is a Good Shampoo, to make sure that everything in your haircare arsenal, designed to nourish and revitalize your scalp and strands, especially when it comes to your go-to shampoo.

An ideal shampoo for thinning hair, needs to not only improve the volume of your strands, but also healthy scalp in order to encourage growth and blood circulation of the hair follicles.

It’s best to avoid shampoos that contain sodium chloride. While it isn’t a toxic ingredient, it is extremely dangerous to the health of your hair.

This ingredient is used to make the consistency of hair thicker, but it’s known to be quite damaging for those with sensitive scalps; it can irritate your scalp, make it drier and itchier, which can lead to hair loss and breakage.

You should opt for a shampoo that is fortified with amino acids, and antioxidants to promote hair growth and circulation, and leave behind the ones with “dyes and preservatives, like parabens and synthetic fragrances”.

Amino acids provide the building blocks to build new strands, while biotin, part of the B-vitamin complex, is required by hair to metabolize amino acids, and can help strengthen hair.

Antioxidants such as vitamin E and ginseng, are beneficial to promote hair growth because they reduce free radicals from sun, stress, or over processing and have anti-inflammatory properties.

So on your next visit to Salon California feel free to discuss What Is a Good Shampoo for your hair.

Jean-Philippe Salon - Emotional Intelligence questions

August 14, 2019

What 5 Questions To Skyrocket Your Emotional Intelligence.

Five questions, five opportunities to make emotions work for you, instead of against you.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions in real time. Developing your EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) can keep you from making decisions you later regret and help you to take actions that benefit you and the people around you.

The greatest thing of all about emotional intelligence? It’s not static. Decades of research show that while you may be born with certain talents, the focused effort can help you grow your EQ.

So, what are some practical tips that can help you manage emotions when it matters most?

Ask yourself the following five simple questions on a daily basis, and they’ll help you both to understand and manage your emotional behavior:

Does this need to be said?
Does this need to be said by me?
Does this need to be said by me, now?
Can I disagree and commit?
Can I empathize without agreeing?

Let’s break down each of these, and show why each can vastly improve the quality of your life.

The 3-question trick that will save your relationships

The first three questions from an unlikely source: comedian and television personality Craig Ferguson.

“There are three things you must always ask yourself before you say anything,” Ferguson once said in an interview.

Does this need to be said?
Does this need to be said by me?
Does this need to be said by me now?

It takes only seconds to go through these questions mentally–but they can prevent you from years of regret. (Ferguson quipped that it took him three marriages to learn that lesson.)

For example, this quick mental dialogue can keep you from sending an angry email. It can make you a better teammate, as you give your colleagues a chance to voice their opinions first.

It can even help you at home–by making you a better listener and helping you choose the best moments to share your opinion. For example, maybe you do need to discuss an important issue with your spouse. But is right after work when you’re both completely exhausted the best time to do it?

Conversely, Ferguson’s questions don’t discourage you from speaking up when appropriate. There are definitely times when the answer to all three questions is a resounding yes. But asking them silently first will allow you to move forward with confidence.

Disagree and commit

Basically, the phrase “disagree and commit” means to give in and let someone have his or her way–but then to commit to doing your best to support that decision.

In one letter to shareholders, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos described it this way:

This phrase will save a lot of time. If you have a conviction on a particular direction even though there’s no consensus, it’s helpful to say, “Look, I know we disagree on this, but will you gamble with me on it? Disagree and commit?”

As Bezos went on to explain, to disagree and commit doesn’t mean thinking your team is wrong and missing the point. Rather, “it’s a genuine disagreement of opinion, a candid expression of my view, a chance for the team to weigh my view, and a quick, sincere commitment to go their way.”

After a lengthy discussion with a partner or colleague, you may see that each of you is still passionate about your opinion, and still far from agreeing. When that happens, ask yourself:

Can I disagree and commit?

When you disagree and commit, you communicate trust. The effect is the same whether it’s your team taking a risk on a new product, or your partner making a decision on where to go for dinner. But the key is once you commit to the decision, there’s no going back.

No subtle sabotage of the decision, through snide comments or half-hearted effort.

No “I told you so” if it doesn’t work out.

Instead, it’s 100 percent effort to make that decision a success.

Asking yourself this question is key to the building (and maintaining) trusting relationships. Because when you go all in with people you trust, they’ll do the same for you.

Empathy doesn’t equal agreement

In an interview Chris Voss, who may be the best negotiator in the world. Voss spent more than two decades in the FBI, during which he worked on more than 150 international hostage cases. Eventually, he was chosen among thousands of agents to serve as the agency’s lead international kidnapping negotiator–a position he held for four years.

Want to know the number-one lesson Voss taught me?

Empathy does not equal agreement.

Voss was forced to develop empathy for kidnappers and terrorists. He had to understand where they were coming from, their current state of mind, their reasons, and motivations–if he had any chance of persuading them to give up their victims. Of course, he never endorsed the actions of those lawbreakers, but he worked hard to hear them out and develop understanding.

Then, they would return the favor–giving Voss the benefit of the doubt and listening to what he had to say. This allowed him to reach a great number of them–and to save hundreds of lives in the process.

Hopefully, you’ll never be forced into a hostage situation, but every day you’re faced with countless opportunities to persuade, influence, and negotiate. You can apply the same principle in these scenarios, no matter how far the distance between you and the other party, by asking yourself:

Can I empathize without agreeing?

To persuade people to think differently, you must first understand how they think. Get to know their pain points so you can help solve them. Learn their communication style, along with their personal drivers and motivations. This will allow you to speak in a way they understand. Even more important, this will help you reach them emotionally–which may, in turn, motivate them to act.

Or, as Voss puts it:

“It allows you to change people’s minds.”

So, there you have it. Five simple questions, five opportunities to increase your emotional intelligence:

Does this need to be said?
Does this need to be said by me?
Does this need to be said by me, now?
Can I disagree and commit?
Can I empathize without agreeing?

Learn to use these questions effectively, and you’ll be making emotions work for you, instead of against you.

July 3, 2019

Baldness breakthrough to grow new hair follicles

An exciting breakthrough from Columbia University, researchers demonstrates a new way to grow human hair follicles using 3D printed molds. This is the first time human hair follicle cells have been grown completely in lab conditions, opening up a potentially unlimited source of hair follicles for future hair restoration surgical procedures.

Over the last few decades, hair transplantation surgery has rapidly evolved, becoming more sophisticated and successful, however, the process has still fundamentally relied on hair follicles being redistributed from one part of the body to another.

Growing human hair follicles in laboratory conditions have proved challenging for researchers, ultimately limiting the efficacy of hair restoration surgery, especially in patients without hair already present that can be grafted.

This new breakthrough brings together a couple of recent innovations.

First, the researchers created a unique plastic mold using 3D printers. The molds are designed to resemble a natural micro-environment stimulating hair follicle growth through tiny extensions just half a millimeter wide.

“Previous fabrication techniques have been unable to create such thin projections, so this work was greatly facilitated by innovations in 3D printing technology,” explains the first author on the study, Erbil Abaci.

The second innovation, demonstrated in the research showed a cocktail of novel growth factors found can effectively stimulate hair growth. After human skin was grown around the 3D-printed mold, the researchers seeded the device with hair follicle cells from volunteers. One of the key stimulating ingredients in the growth factor cocktail used by the researchers is a molecule designed to inhibit a pathway called JAK-STAT.

The prior study revealed this recently discovered pathway keeps hair stem cells dormant, and newly developed inhibitors can reawaken this dormant pathway, kickstarting hair follicle growth.

The overall process is claimed to be able to grow hair follicles at a rate that would ultimately allow for an unlimited supply of follicles, without the need for hair grafts from donors.

“What we’ve shown is that we can basically create a hair farm: a grid of hairs that are patterned correctly and engineered so they can be transplanted back into that same patient’s scalp,” says Angela Christiano, lead author on the research.

More work is needed to optimize and commercialize the process before it becomes clinically available, but the implications of the innovation are incredibly broad.

Not only will this development help men seeking solutions to their thinning hair, but the method will allow for more rapid clinical testing of hair growth drugs, using the system to engineer large volumes of human hair follicles for experiments. Christiano also suggests the innovation will help a large array of different patients needing hair restoration surgery.

“[The new method] expands the availability of hair restoration to all patients–including the 30 million women in the United States who experience hair thinning and young men whose hairlines are still receding,” says Christiano. “Hair restoration surgery would no longer be limited by the number of donor’s hairs.”

The JAK inhibitor research was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

The 3D-printed mold research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Source: Columbia University Irving Medical Center

June 12, 2019

Emotional intelligence

These 10 rules will help you make emotions work for you, instead of against you.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify emotions (in both yourself and others), to recognize the powerful effects of those emotions, and to use that information to inform and guide behavior.

It begins with learning how emotions work, but it goes much further. Specifically, how do you start putting that knowledge into practice?

That’s the topic of my forthcoming book, EQ, Applied: The Real World Guide to Emotional Intelligence. If you’d like a sneak peek, consider how heeding the following “10 commandments” can make emotions work for you, instead of against you.

I. Thou shalt ponder thy feelings.

Emotional Intelligence begins by learning to ask the right questions, like “What is my current mood, and how might that influence my decisions today?” or “What are my strengths and weaknesses?”

This is one way to begin building self-awareness, which will yield valuable insights that can be used to your advantage.

II. Thou shalt learn from other perspectives.

When listening to others, don’t focus on right or wrong; rather, work to understand how perceptions differ, and the reasons behind this.

That includes learning to take negative feedback, which can expose blind spots and lead to self-improvement.

III. Thou shalt learn to “pause.”

“The pause” is as simple as taking a moment to stop and think before you act or speak. (But beware: While easy in theory, it’s difficult to practice.)

Don’t expect perfection. But practice consistently, and the pause will prevent you embarrassment and could save countless relationships.

IV. Thou shalt practice empathy.

Instead of judging or labeling others, work hard to see things through their eyes. Ask questions like, “Why does this person feel this way?” and “What’s going on behind the scenes?”

Do this, and you’ll enjoy a clearer understanding of the world around you, and build deeper, more connected relationships.

V. Thou shalt praise others.

By focusing on the good in others, and then specifically telling them what you appreciate, you inspire others to be the best version of themselves.

VI. Thou shalt apologize.

“I’m sorry” can be the two most difficult words to say. But they can also be the most powerful.

Acknowledge your mistakes and apologize when appropriate, and you’ll develop qualities like humility and authenticity, naturally drawing others to you.

VII. Thou shalt forgive.

Refusing to forgive is like leaving a knife in a wound–you never give yourself the chance to heal.

Instead of hanging on to resentment while the offending party moves on with his or her life, forgiving gives you the chance to move on, too.

VIII. Thou shalt not freeze others in time.

Refuse the temptation to judge others too quickly, without considering context and extenuating circumstances. Remember that everyone has a bad day (or even a bad year).

Instead, make it a practice to consistently and honestly re-evaluate your relationships, and you’ll be sure to get the most out of them.

IX. Thou shalt control thy thoughts.

When you experience a negative situation, you may not have much control over your feelings. But by focusing on your thoughts, you can control your reaction to those feelings.

As the saying goes: “You can’t stop a bird from landing on your head. But you can keep it from building a nest.”

When you focus on your thinking, you resist becoming a slave to your emotions. Instead, you acknowledge those feelings and can then move forward in a way that’s in harmony with your goals and values.

X. Thou shalt not stop learning.

Emotional intelligence isn’t about achieving perfection, or reaching a certain level of “EQ.” It’s about continuous learning and growth.

Yes, it’s often when you feel you’ve “mastered” one of these 10 commandments that you will make your greatest mistakes. But it is how you handle those mistakes that will determine just how emotionally intelligent you truly are.

April 20, 2019

I Hate My Haircut. Now What?

Essays

We’ve all been there. Somehow the phrase “Just a trim” turned into “just on a whim.” The haircut that began with an innocent “Whatever you think” ended up with a guilty “What was I thinking?” Maybe you’ve had to hear the most disheartening phrase of all: “It’ll grow.”

There is no guarantee you and your hairdresser will magically mind-meld to conjure a thrilling result. It takes work. It takes time. It takes communication of the clearest kind. But sometimes things go wrong – and the truth is that the fault probably lies with you both. Here are ways to make things right.

Communication is Key.

Make sure you’re both on the same page. Bring photos of your own favorite hair moments or anybody else’s, as long as your expectations are realistic. Be specific about which aspects you are drawn to, as well those you’re not. But be realistic about possible retouching and artfully disguised hairpieces.

The time you spend in a consultation isn’t just social chatter. The more your stylist knows about your lifestyle, your fashion sense, your grooming preferences and skills, and your hair idiosyncracies – even if you’ve been together for years – the more likely you are to have a result you can actually live with.

And are you sure you really know how long an inch is? Just asking, because some people actually don’t. As a point of reference, it takes about two months for the hair to grow an inch.

Stop Right There!

The minute you’re uncomfortable with what you’re seeing in the mirror, don’t grin and bear it. Speak up and give the stylist a chance to explain their actions and readjust if necessary. When it comes to cutting, what’s done is done. But don’t be a jumpy Judy; sharp objects may be mere inches from your face.

Breathe.

So the cape has come off, you’re holding the hand-mirror, and this is the moment you’re supposed to beam with joy and gush undying love for such a creative genius. But instead, you feel hot and prickly, your lip is quivering, and your heart is falling through the floor. Instead of mustering a frozen smile to mask your true feelings, take a deep breath and be honest. Be specific. A simple “I hate it” won’t get you anywhere near “I love it.” Resist the urge to brand it a “bad haircut,” and reframe it as “not me” to lessen the venom.

Best to work it out on the spot rather than going home and letting your resentment build toward a scathing online review or righteous phone call. Keep your cool to avoid creating a heated situation.

Be Flexible.

Your stylist can probably adjust the proportions of a cut you imagined, but they might not be able to do it for you right that minute. Be understanding that there is a schedule to be kept, and you may have to come back another time to put things right.

Don’t D.I.Y.

Maybe you weren’t so sure how you felt in the chair, but don’t try to fix it yourself with sewing scissors. Collect your thoughts and call the salon to explain your feelings and give them a chance for a do-over. They want to help just as much as you want to be helped.

Give it Time…

It is possible that you are simply shocked by something so new. Express your feelings, but go home and live with it for a day or two. Wash it and let it dry. Experiment with styling options. See how it behaves under various conditions. If you still hate it, so be it, but allow for the chance that you’ll welcome the change.

…But Not Too Much Time.

There’s a fine line between a correction and a brand-new service. Resolve disagreements within a two-week window to avoid paying twice. And be honest: If you decide that bangs are a bust after all, or if you insisted on a little trim when what you really needed was a big chop, that’s on you.

Be generous.

Tipping for a redo is entirely up to you, and should never be expected. But consider that your stylist is taking extra time without extra revenue, so acknowledging that is a thoughtful gesture. If it’s a 15-minute touch-up, no more money need change hands. But if it becomes a 45-minute session, open your wallet a bit.

Don’t cheat.

Unless your experience was a disaster at every level, don’t rush to another hairdresser for a fix. You won’t only be paying for it, you won’t be giving the original stylist an opportunity to make things right and to talk it through again. “It’s like a first date,” Sometimes you need a second one to know if you’re right for each other.

* * *

So, the customer is always right – unless you go about it all wrong! Hairdressing is an art as much as it is a science, and as they say, results may vary. Remember that your cut is a bespoke experience and a creative collaboration between you and your stylist – who is every bit as invested in your happiness as you are.

August 20, 2018

6 Ways Drinking Enough Water Can Improve Your Health.

Want to promote healthy skin and proper digestion? Interested in a natural detoxifier? Water is a basic necessity. The body is more than two-thirds water, and keeping it hydrated is vital. Other reasons to have water as a regular part of your day include:

Healthy blood and bones. Your blood is over 80 percent water and your bones are over 50 percent water. Proper hydration is required to optimize the creation and maintenance of new blood and bone cells.
Toxin elimination. Skip the fancy (and costly) detox plans. Plain water naturally helps remove toxins through the lymphatic system, intestines, and kidneys.
Lubricated joints. Water helps protect against wear and tear and can even help reduce joint pain.
Proper digestion. Water helps prevent constipation by adding softness to stools and fluid to the colon.
Alertness. Even minor dehydration can lead to headaches, irritability, impaired concentration, and fatigue. The human brain is 85 percent water; keeping it hydrated is essential for proper functioning.
Healthy skin. Water hydrates from the inside out, helping to maintain the elasticity of the skin and support this essential body barrier.

June 19, 2018

Eat These 5 Foods For Healthier Hair.

Whole foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and biotin may help promote a healthy scalp and hair. Add these foods to your grocery cart – think of them as ingredients in a healthy hair recipe!

1 Dark leafy greens. Kale, Swiss chard, spinach, and other dark leafy greens are good sources of vitamins A and C, which the body needs to produce the oily substance sebum, a natural conditioner for your hair.

2 Salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids, of which wild-caught salmon is an excellent source, are important to a healthy scalp. Salmon (ideally choose sockeye or wild Alaskan salmon) is also a good source of protein. If you don’t like the taste of fish, try a high-quality fish oil supplement.

3 Beans and legumes. They are also a source of protein which helps promote hair growth, as well as iron, biotin, and zinc. (Biotin deficiencies can occasionally result in brittle hair.)

4 Nuts. Specific varieties of nuts contain vitamins and minerals that can help promote the health of your scalp. Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium (limit yourself to no more than two Brazil nuts per day). Walnuts provide the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, which may help condition your hair, as well as zinc, which can minimize hair shedding. Cashews, almonds, and pecans are other hair-healthy choices. Aim for raw varieties as often as you can, or lightly toast on your own if an added crunch is needed.

5 Eggs. A good source of protein as well as biotin, helping prevent dry, weak and brittle hair. Choose organic, omega-3 fortified eggs from cage-free hens.

September 19, 2017

This 10-Minute Routine Will Increase Your Clarity And Creativity

“Your subconscious mind works continuously, while you are awake, and while you sleep.” — Napoleon Hill

Your subconscious never rests and is always on duty because it controls your heartbeat, blood circulation, and digestion. It controls all the vital processes and functions of your body and knows the answers to all your problems.

What happens on your subconscious level influences what happens on your conscious level. In other words, what goes on internally, even unconsciously, eventually becomes your reality. The subconscious mind will translate into its physical equivalent, by the most direct and practical method available.

Consequently, your goal is to direct your subconscious mind to create the outcomes you seek. Additionally, you want to tap into your subconscious mind to unlock connections and solutions to your problems and projects.

Here’s a simple routine to get started:

Ten minutes before going to sleep:

“Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.” — Thomas Edison

It’s common practice for many of the world’s most successful people to intentionally direct the workings of their subconscious mind while they’re sleeping.

How?

Take a few moments before you go to bed to meditate on and write down the things you’re trying to accomplish.

Ask yourself loads of questions related to that thing. In Edison’s words, make some “requests.” Write those questions and thoughts down on paper. The more specific the questions, the more clear will be your answers.

While you’re sleeping, your subconscious mind will get to work on those things.

Ten minutes after waking up:

Research confirms the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, is most active and readily creative immediately following sleep. Your subconscious mind has been loosely mind-wandering while you slept, making contextual and temporal connections. Creativity, after all, is making connections between different parts of the brain.

Unlike 80 percent of people between the ages of 18–44 who check their smartphones within 15 minutes of waking up, try going to a quiet place, do some meditation and grabs a journal.

In his journal, do thought-dumps for several minutes. Thus, rather than focusing on input like most people who check their notifications, what you get to focus on is output. This is how to taps into the higher realms of clarity, learning, and creativity — what we call, “crystallized intelligence.”

If you’re not an experienced journal writer, the idea of “thought-dumping” may be hard to implement. In my experience, it’s good to loosely direct your thought-dumping toward your goals.

Consider the “requests” you made of your subconscious just before going to bed. You asked yourself loads of questions. You thought about and wrote down the things you’re trying to accomplish.

Now, first thing in the morning, when your creative brain is most attuned, after its subconscious workout while you slept, start writing down whatever comes to mind about those things.

I often get ideas for things I’m going to do while doing these thought-dumps. I get ideas about how I can be a better husband and father. I get clarity about the goals I believe I should be pursuing. I get insights about people I need to connect with, or how I can improve my current relationships.

To be sure, you’ll need to practice this skill. It may take several attempts before you become proficient. But with consistency, you can become fluent and automatic at achieving creative and intuitive bursts.

Conclusion:

A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.

Mental creation always precedes physical creation. Before a building is physically constructed, there’s a blueprint.

Your thoughts are the blueprint of the life you are building one day at a time. When you learn to channel your thinking — both consciously and subconsciously — you create the conditions that make the achievement of your goals inevitable.

You are the designer of your destiny. This simple routine will help you crystallize where you want to go, and how you will get there.