Know any immature men who need to grow up?
Got any teenagers who think they are a lot more grown up than they really are?
Are you just plain sick and tired of that coworker who acts like a child?

GROW A FRONTAL LOBE ALREADY, WILL YA?

What’s a frontal lobe? It’s funny you would ask that – especially if you need one and you don’t know it. A frontal Lobe is the frontal cortex of your brain. Don’t worry! You actually already have one. Your brain’s structure is already formed. But you can strengthen and improve how your frontal lobe functions, and that’s what they mean when they say:

GROW A FRONTAL LOBE ALREADY, WILL YA?

The frontal lobe, especially the pre-frontal cortex, is a very long developmental human process of maturation. The time line of a fully developed frontal lobe does not include a finish line. Rather it is a long curve of maturation. The frontal lobe development begins at birth and continues through childhood into adulthood. 

But wait! What do you need a frontal lobe for anyway? Executive functions of course! Planning, impulse control, decision-making and emotional regulation. 

Teenagers who think they are wiser than they really are often lack a developed frontal lobe. But not just 14 years olds. This extends into young adult hood. Some studies say the age of significant development of your frontal lobe is from years 10 -21. Others studies say up to age 25 and still others leave it undefined with no finish line. Large individual differences in developmental trajectories of your frontal lobe are influenced by:

• Environment
• Education
• Stress
• Sleep
• Social Experiences

Two people at the same age can have different executive function levels. And if you missed this developmental process, you very well could be 50 years old and have an underdeveloped frontal lobe! 

Here are some tips on how you can:

GROW A FRONTAL LOBE ALREADY, WILL YA?

• Practice delayed gratification
  Do things that require self-control (waiting, saving, finishing tasks before rewards). This directly engages frontal lobe function.
• Make decisions intentionally
  Instead of reacting, pause and choose. Even a 5-second pause strengthens executive control over time.
• Challenge your thinking
  Read, write, debate, solve problems. Anything that forces you to analyze rather than just consume.
• Build routines and follow through
  Planning and sticking to structure activates the frontal lobe repeatedly.
• Limit impulsive behaviors
  Constant dopamine hits (scrolling, junk food, etc.) weaken your ability to regulate impulses – things that make you feel good consumed in excess.
• Sleep and exercise
  These aren’t optional—poor sleep especially wrecks frontal lobe performance.
• Reflect regularly
  Journaling or reviewing your decisions helps build self-awareness, which is a frontal lobe skill.

So here’s the deal: you don’t need a new brain, you just need to start using the one you’ve been issued. The frontal lobe isn’t hiding from you, it’s just been waiting patiently while impulse, ego, and bad habits run the show. The science is clear: this part of your brain is built through use, not wishful thinking. The good news? It’s never too late to fire it up. The bad news? You actually have to choose. So the next time you’re about to choose:

What feels good over what is the right choice.
Run from a situation rather than face reality.
Avoid responsibility because it makes you uncomfortable.
Making big decisions without thinking it through.
Thinking everyone else is the problem.
Ignoring how your behaviors affect others.

Pause! That’s your frontal lobe knocking! Answer the door! And for everyone else around you who is the witness? Do them a favor…

GROW A FRONTAL LOBE ALREADY, WILL YA?