Have you ever found something EASY to learn?
If so, what was your state of mind at the time?
If no, what is your state of mind when you learn?
If you enjoy learning something new and find it easy, it is clear that you are doing something right. If you feel anxious during or exhausted afterwards then it is clear to me that your learning style is in need of an upgrade.
Ultimately, if you feel anxious it means you care. What if being relaxed were linked to better performance, would you give it a try? The funny thing about this concept is that people often link 'being relaxed' with 'not caring'; this couldn't be further from the truth. I find that i learn best when i am enjoying something and am learning because i really want to learn. In these moments, i am focused and energized, without feeling overly anxious, but what about when you have to learn something really challenging?
When i was a child, i had a complete block when it came to numbers. At the age of 6, the teacher gave up trying to explain anything to me and left my twin sister to help, as i just couldn't take in what she was saying. I link this to a feeling of fear- i even remember crying when she tried to explain things to me. I don't think she was particularly patient and i don't think i was very good at listening back then- not the best of combinations! So you can imagine how excited i was when i was told that there was an easy way to memorize numbers.
An NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) friend of mine taught me this. He asked for my bank card, took a deep breath, looked at it for a while and then gave it back. He then took out a piece of paper and wrote the number down. I laughed nervously. Could i do this too? He suggested starting with a phone number and then explained the process. It seemed that all i had to do was relax, take a picture of the numbers in my mind, look away to see whether i could visualise them and keep doing this until i had a picture of the whole number stored. I find that the number is then stored in my short term memory; to commit the number to my long term memory, i just need to repeat the process a few more times, perhaps two-to-three times a day for a couple of days. The key to this, it seemed, was to do it without over trying; to relax and to trust that i would remember it. I now practice this frequently and this element of self belief comes up again and again. If you believe you can do something, you have a much greater chance of succeeding.
I am a strong believer in the theory that if something isn't working, it is time to make some changes. When it comes to learning, mindset is the first place i look. Thoughts, beliefs, actions and emotions are all linked.
1. Think of something you are learning now or have learned in the past
2. Assess your beliefs about this task; Are you capable? Are you motivated? Will you succeed?
3. How do you feel when you are in the process of studying this subject? Do you feel nervous and agitated or
are you in flow?
Try this:
1. Tell yourself 'It's getting easier and easier' then turn OFF that internal chatter and bring yourself heavily into the present, focus and enjoy. If negative thoughts persist, repeat 'My thoughts are meaningless'.
2. Rather than frowning, SMILE
3. Rather than holding your breath, BREATHE deep breaths right down into your stomach
When you do all the things i have just mentioned, above, you are imitating the learning style of those who succeed. It may not feel totally natural to start with, but the more you practice this, the easier it will become.
Comments