How to Train Your Brain for Faster Thinking and Better Decisions

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Business moves fast. It’s what kills off most entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re setting up your shopify store or scaling to 1 million in revenue, you will continuously need more speed.

Slow decision-making means missed opportunities, delayed execution, and getting beaten by someone who moves quicker.

The best entrepreneurs aren’t just smart—they think fast, react instantly, and make decisions without overanalyzing.

The good news? Mental speed is trainable.

And today, you’ll learn how to sharpen your brain for faster thinking, quicker reactions, and split-second decision-making.

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Why Processing Speed Matters in Business

Entrepreneurs who think faster execute faster. That means they:

• Spot trends before competitors

• Make critical decisions under pressure

• Adapt quickly when things go wrong

Jeff Bezos mastered this with his "high-speed, reversible decisions" strategy—moving quickly on low-risk choices while reserving deep thinking for only the biggest bets.

The result? Faster iterations. More wins. Less hesitation.

If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis, it’s not a knowledge problem—it’s a processing speed problem.

How to Train Your Brain to Think Faster

You don’t need a higher IQ.

You need a faster recall, sharper pattern recognition, and stronger decision reflexes.

Here’s the three-step protocol to rewire your brain for speed.

Step 1: Mental Drills for Processing Speed

Chunking Technique
Instead of processing information one piece at a time, train your brain to recognize patterns in groups.

Example: Instead of remembering “4-8-9-2,” store it as “4892.” Faster retrieval leads to faster thinking.

Reaction-Time Training
Use the Human Benchmark test to measure and improve real-time decision speed.

Try this: Take five minutes to test your reaction time and track improvement weekly.

Dual N-Back Training
This classic working memory exercise improves mental agility. It forces your brain to hold and manipulate information faster.

Try this: Download a Dual N-Back app and train for five minutes daily.

Step 2: Neurochemical Optimization for Faster Thinking

Your brain runs on neurotransmitters—boosting the right ones enhances processing speed.

Best Supplements for Mental Speed

• Citicoline / Alpha-GPC (300-600mg): Increases acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter for learning and recall.

• L-Tyrosine (500mg-1g): Enhances dopamine, keeping you sharp under pressure.

• Creatine Monohydrate (3-5g daily): Fuels brain energy, improving cognition and reaction speed.

How to Use Them:

• Take Alpha-GPC + L-Tyrosine before deep work or high-stakes decision-making.

• Use Creatine daily for sustained cognitive performance.

Step 3: Biological Upgrades for Faster Thinking

Your body affects your brain. These physical strategies rewire your nervous system for speed.

1. Cold Exposure for Instant Focus
   Cold showers and ice baths increase norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter responsible for alertness and mental speed.

   
   Try this: 30 seconds of cold exposure before deep work for a rapid focus boost.

2. High-Intensity Exercise for Faster Brain Processing
   Sprint intervals, HIIT, and explosive strength training improve brain oxygenation and boost reaction time.

   
   Try this: 10 minutes of fast-paced exercise before mentally demanding tasks.

3. Sleep Optimization for Cognitive Speed
   Deep sleep is when your brain consolidates patterns, strengthening your ability to process faster.

   
   Try this: Track deep sleep and HRV using Oura, WHOOP, or Apple Health.

Speed-Based Decision-Making Models

Faster thinking isn’t just about processing—it’s about deciding with confidence.

1. OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
   Used by fighter pilots and CEOs, this framework forces rapid situational awareness and action.

   
   Try this: Next time you’re stuck, observe the key data → orient your options → decide → act quickly.

2. First Principles Thinking
   Instead of following assumptions, break problems into core truths and rebuild from scratch.

   
   Try this: When facing a tough decision, ask, “What do I actually know for sure?”

3. 80/20 Rule for Speed
   Eighty percent of results come from 20 percent of decisions—prioritize high-impact choices and eliminate distractions.

   
   Try this: List your top three priorities for the day. Ignore everything else.

Entrepreneurial Nootropic Stacks for Faster Thinking

"Rapid Processing Stack" (For Mental Speed & Recall)

-Alpha-GPC (300mg) + L-Tyrosine (500mg) + Caffeine (100mg) + L-Theanine (200mg)

Effect: Boosts mental clarity, reaction speed, and focus.

"High-Stress Speed Stack" (For Pressure Situations)

-Phenylpiracetam (100mg) + Rhodiola Rosea (300mg) + Creatine (5g)

Effect: Enhances decision-making under stress, mental endurance, and reaction time.

How to Use Them:

• Use "Rapid Processing Stack" before deep work.

• Use "High-Stress Stack" before meetings, pitches, or fast decision-making.

The 30-Minute Daily Speed Training Routine

• Five minutes: Reaction-Time Training (Human Benchmark Test)

• Five minutes: Speed Reading (Spritz App, read one page at three times speed)

• Five minutes: Pattern Recognition (Dual N-Back Training)

• Five minutes: Mental Math (Solve quick calculations in your head)

• Five minutes: Breathwork or Cold Exposure (for alertness boost)

• Five minutes: Quick Decision-Making Drills (forcing rapid choices)

If you don’t have 30 minutes, split them up into 2 days.

Try it for a week, quit if you don’t see any results. You will.

Final Takeaways: Why Fast Thinkers Win

Processing speed is trainable—you’re not stuck at your current thinking level.

Speed up recall, pattern recognition, and decision-making to gain an edge.

Train your brain like a high-performance machine—it’s what separates top entrepreneurs from everyone else.

Start today: Try the speed training routine, feel the results, win faster.

P.S: Next Wednesday, how your genes affect focus, energy & cognitive speed (and what to do about it)

P.P.S: Let me know what you think of today’s edition below—one click, 3 seconds, and it helps shape future newsletters. ⬇️ 

Explore Further:

5 Brain Exercises to Improve Memory and Concentration | Jim Kwik