How To Train Your Brain

Wow.

Cannot wait for you to read this one. This will provide a LOT of clarity for people wondering about effective learning and how to transcend back and forth to different states of mine.
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I was listening to a program, and there was a college university that did a study on learning.

What they did was take a group of students, divided them in half, and gave one side of the room some alcohol, I believe it was roughly 3.4 oz; it was enough to get them tipsy but not drunk.

They then proceeded to provide new information to both groups.

After sobering up, they tested each group and discovered that the sober group did much better.

Surprise, surprise.

BUT, they conducted the same test except this time they gave the 'alcohol group' a shot before taking the test.

Surprisingly enough, the group that had learned while being affected by alcohol did substantially BETTER than the sober group.

The conclusion?

Learning is state dependent.

This means that if you have practiced a speech for some time while in your pajamas right before going to bed, that come speech day, in the morning after your 9 cups of coffee, there could be a severe difference on how you deliver your message.

I've practiced effectively communicating to individuals, and come the REAL-DEAL experience, I was left performing MUCH below par.

What does this have to do with anything?

This is one method of anchoring, or attaching certain emotions to different states.

To give an example, I gave a quick speech the other day for roughly 50 people. I had practiced my speech repeatedly, visualized myself doing it well, and passing the message I wanted to pass.

During a rehearsal of the speech (the rehearsal mind you), I delivered the message and it was completely NOT what I had pictured during practice.

Although it wasn't a dive-bomb by any means, it was not effective for what I was attempting to do.

So, I had practiced, realized it wasn't going to happen in front of 50 people if it didn't happen in front of 5, so I was left with ONE DAY to get my act together.

What did I do?

I practiced, yes, but I did it by getting myself(imagining/visualization/guided imagery) in to the similar state of what it would be like on the day of my speech.

I pictured 50 people, then pictured the room, how I would walk, and of course how I would feel first being up in front of EVERYONE.

Here is EXACTLY what happened.

I stood up, had something to open with, had a SHUT DOWN on the opening(okay, not a shut down but the first thing I wanted to say, well, I just didn't say it) but I started the speech in a different way. After roughly 5 seconds, I felt this inner shift inside of me, almost like a 'click', I instantly smiled, and it began to flow out perfectly.

Out of the numerous times I had practiced my speech, which was A LOT, I did it the BEST I had EVER done and got the exact response I was looking for when I did it live.

I learned to anchor confidently delivering my message and being able to have fun with the state of being in front of people preparing to say my first word.

Magic, absolute magic.

I didn't stick to my script either, which is the amazing thing.

I made up a completely new ending, that flowed like it was prepared YEARS in advance.

Not bad huh?

So by practicing my speech with a little bit of anxiety to begin with, and really placing myself there, I was able to actually deliver my speech more confidently and feel more relaxed while doing so.

Take what you can from this.

Kind of explains why our minds went blank during some of those tests and finals in high-school, doesn't it?