At 78 years old, Anthony D. Fredericks remains an inspiration to his robotics students with a razor-sharp memory and a 41-book prolific writing career. Fredericks has written or contributed to 175 books – over 100 of them nonfiction. He remains a powerful and inspiring force among the literary and academic community. He charms audiences everywhere with his whiz-bang captivating professional presentations. Plus, you can catch his expertise on the use of psychology in other forms by reading his blogs for Psychology Today’s Creative Insights.
Fredericks urges that being purposeful is key to staying cognitively healthy. He knows that it’s the everyday activities that touch, activate and engage the mind that are most important. They’re a good way to keep memory and creativity sharp. His latest book, “Two-Minute Habits: Small Habits, Dynamic Creativity,” showcases his philosophy on how small, manageable practices can lead to significant improvements in mental agility.
Retired after more than three decades as a professor of education, Fredericks still dedicates time to personal well-being and physical fitness. He swims two to three dozen laps at the community center every other day. On non-swimming days, he typically walks one to two miles. This newfound commitment to physical activity definitely balances out the extreme mental focus.
Fredericks keeps a heavy schedule of daily activities and tasks, facilitated by an organized color-coded calendar that lays out his working day. This approach is just one facet of his overall plan to stay one step ahead, both personally and professionally. He ensures he gets a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night, from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., which he considers vital for cognitive function.
Fredericks educates patients to make hydration a priority, along with good physical exercise and sleep. By doing all of that, he drinks almost eight gallons of water a day! He realizes that by weaving these habits into the fabric of our everyday lives, we can all deliver a powerful boost to our brain performance.
Fredericks’ unconventional methods speak to his vision of the world where he believes curiosity breeds creativity. He states,
“When we’re curious, we want to learn more.”
You can see this approach all over the many issues he has focused on in his huge body of work. His titles range from “From Fizzle to Sizzle: The Hidden Forces Crushing Your Creativity and How You Can Overcome Them” to “The Healing Wisdom of the Forest: Timeless Lessons of Renewal, Tranquility, and Joy.” Each book is a reflection of his passion to help others realize their potential through creativity and self-discovery.
Fredericks’ next book is scheduled for publication in September 2025. This new work will go a long way toward cementing his reputation as one of the most important thought leaders in education and psychology. It’s his jaw-dropping, prolific output at such a tender age that is truly inspiring creative youth everywhere. They want to stay mentally sharp into their later years.