Back in my college years, I remember spending a lot of time trying to find the right place to study. I tried the food-court and that was a big mistake. I tried the grass in the reflecting pool area and all I got were ant bites. I even tried the library only to find out they turned into hang-out zones. Whatever happened to the librarian passing around heavy shushes?
I slowly started to notice what did work and what didn’t. I realized I needed quiet, lots of space, adequate lighting, and a warm temperature (75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit to be particular). I could get work done in any situation, but that optimal setting seemed to kick my efforts up a notch. Efforts to super-charge the experience.
Learning with the Brain in Mind
After doing some more research on learning, and I highly recommend Brain-Based Learning: The New Science of Teaching and Training, Revised Edition by Eric Jensen, I’ve found out that we all have learning preferences that suit us best. You have an optimal learning environment that helps you stay at 100% when your try to do what you do. Anything less than that will leave you at 90%, 80%, 50%, and so on – still useful, but not as much.
You may need background music to study, or you’ll be at 50%. Or maybe a leopard-print Snugee, or you’ll be at 65%. And sometimes you’ll need a very hard chair to sit on to maintain 100% focus. Before you dive into your next learning session, be aware of your preferred learning environment and stick to it.
There’s also another secret trick to help bump you up a notch. You can use guided meditation audio or video to help you get aligned with learning. I’ve created a video that runs through a good script. Head over to the video link here and give it a try.
I recommend practicing with this video until you find yourself going into a learning state with ease. It will come to you with time and practice, you’ll build up the habit. Earn the tool and add it to your toolbox.
| Photo by: English106 |