This week, I'm going to talk about neuroplasticity, brain plasticity—the idea that we can really, truly make ourselves smarter, not better educated, but smarter. Every day this week, I'll give you a new way to achieve that! It's just like a stroke victim learning to talk or walk again. I'll have my first suggestion right after this.

First way to get smarter, no matter how old you are: seek new pursuits. Learn a language. Learn chess. Take music lessons. Learn how to do some art. Anything you're doing that is new creates new connections, new synapses. Is your brain actually changing? Remember, this is not crazy. This is scientifically proven. You can make yourself smarter, no matter how old you are.