Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Lupe · 06-06-2008, 03:42 AM

Hello,

Please provide me with tips on how to refresh your brain when your brain begins to work slow after being confronted with some difficulties on the object of your focus (for example working on homework).

I try recreation but oftentimes the recreation just makes things worse by drawing me into it and away from work.

So I think the key is to how to think really fast when your brain is stumped. Not to lose thinking pace. Any tips here?

Liminal Chris · 06-06-2008, 04:33 AM

When I took my LSAT, this was a huge problem for me. 3.5 hours of brain busters leaves you pretty mentally fatigued.

Two things that helped me.

Preparation: Make sure going into the work that you prepared properly. You had the proper sleep, practise, etc.

Meditation: If you get stumped or you find yourself working slow, takea few moments to meditate and really clear your mind. Close your eyes, take a few deep breathes, then really go back to attacking your work.

silicon toad2000 · 06-06-2008, 07:17 AM

I have found that spending 5 minutes tidying, organising or planning can help focus the mind when it begins to wander.
As Chris raised, sleep as well as nutrition, environment have an effect on these things. The brain doesn't operate by itself and in high stress environments you need to treat your body like you're an athlete. Some good quality exercise, clean healthy food, good quality sleep and plenty of water.
Environmental issues have a big impact also. Steve's article on relaxifying your workspace was a great read for me 10 Ways to Relaxify Your Workspace

gofeddy · 06-09-2008, 07:45 PM

One method that works for me is to listen to inspirational music whenever I am down. Music that sends shivers down my spine. For me it is Ennio Morricone and his Western themes. His work just gets me excited to get back to my work. Try to find your own taste of music.

Another way is to think of someone whom you truly admire or some role model of yours. Just think of the hardships and difficulties they had to face to reach to where they are. And when you compare what they had to do vs. what you have to do right now, it might just makes your task feel a little easier.

Of course, both these methods work for me most of the time but not all times. Even I do not get 100% success with it. But it helps in most situations.

Plato · 06-09-2008, 08:29 PM

Jump around!

Keith · 06-09-2008, 09:00 PM

I believe that Steve just answered this for you in his latest blog article.

06-06-2008, 03:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lupe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 653	What to do when focus is burning out Hello, Please provide me with tips on how to refresh your brain when your brain begins to work slow after being confronted with some difficulties on the object of your focus (for example working on homework). I try recreation but oftentimes the recreation just makes things worse by drawing me into it and away from work. So I think the key is to how to think really fast when your brain is stumped. Not to lose thinking pace. Any tips here?

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06-06-2008, 04:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Liminal Chris Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 108	When I took my LSAT, this was a huge problem for me. 3.5 hours of brain busters leaves you pretty mentally fatigued. Two things that helped me. Preparation: Make sure going into the work that you prepared properly. You had the proper sleep, practise, etc. Meditation: If you get stumped or you find yourself working slow, takea few moments to meditate and really clear your mind. Close your eyes, take a few deep breathes, then really go back to attacking your work.

06-06-2008, 07:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
silicon toad2000 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 728	I have found that spending 5 minutes tidying, organising or planning can help focus the mind when it begins to wander. As Chris raised, sleep as well as nutrition, environment have an effect on these things. The brain doesn't operate by itself and in high stress environments you need to treat your body like you're an athlete. Some good quality exercise, clean healthy food, good quality sleep and plenty of water. Environmental issues have a big impact also. Steve's article on relaxifying your workspace was a great read for me 10 Ways to Relaxify Your Workspace

06-09-2008, 07:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
gofeddy Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 11	One method that works for me is to listen to inspirational music whenever I am down. Music that sends shivers down my spine. For me it is Ennio Morricone and his Western themes. His work just gets me excited to get back to my work. Try to find your own taste of music. Another way is to think of someone whom you truly admire or some role model of yours. Just think of the hardships and difficulties they had to face to reach to where they are. And when you compare what they had to do vs. what you have to do right now, it might just makes your task feel a little easier. Of course, both these methods work for me most of the time but not all times. Even I do not get 100% success with it. But it helps in most situations.

06-09-2008, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Plato Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: in your fridge Posts: 2,018	Jump around!

06-09-2008, 09:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Keith Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,139	I believe that Steve just answered this for you in his latest blog article.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums