Page 24 - Dainfern Precinct Living 9 2020

TODAY'S CHILD

“

A positive mindset will help you
to be calm and self-assured when it
matters the most. How you respond to

success, both as a learner at school
and within the broader context of life.

tough challenges will determine your “

taking concrete steps towards controlling do it. Smiling releases endorphins which confidence will naturally grow. Insecurities
the outcome. Remember to formulate short- cause your body to relax and feel happy. will begin to melt away. You will believe
and long-term goals. If you are struggling in yourself and the goals you make every
with maths, establish a short-term goal • Apply all of your focus onto your exam. day.
for this exam that builds towards an You have been preparing for this moment
achievable, long-term goal. and know what to do. Focus on yourself Positive thinking boosts performance
and no one else. Ignore sights and sounds and helps you feel more in control. While
• Believe in yourself. You can achieve this. around you and put your next foot forward. negative thinking leaves you feeling
If you believe you are going to succeed, Performance is oftentimes marginally helpless and overwhelmed, positive
you will. Positive self-belief brings positive attributed to preparation and largely more thinking leaves you feeling confident,
results. determined by mental strength. enthusiastic, happy and fulfilled. It also
encourages your mind and body to perform
• Persistence is vital. If you know that you • Allow room for improvement. Instead at their peak intensity while being relaxed
need to make a change, do not give up of beating yourself up after a poor and excited about the task at hand.
after a week. Keep working hard to change performance, think of at least one way you
your thought pattern and train yourself know you can improve and put that aspect That’s not to say that positive learners do
not to worry about what is outside of your into practice. For example, in each and not have bad exams from time to time . . .
control. every class assessment, practise the skills everyone does. But you will not see them
of slowly reading through the paper before collapsing or bursting into tears in the
• Take a deep breath when you feel commencing with answering any questions. corner. Positive thinkers talk their problems
yourself responding to negativity coming Each exam is an opportunity to learn over with a parent or teacher, analyse
from yourself or your classmates. Anxiety something. Develop a plan of action and aspects to be improved, and move on.
and stress can inhibit deep breathing; move forward. Do not give up, if the plan Your response to those bad exams or tests
therefore, by focusing on your breathing, does not work the first time. Refine it, move determines how fast you will bounce back
your airways will open up. Breathing forward and keep trying. and achieve the next time. A few not-so-
deeply will help your body relax, then you great results do not mean that your efforts
will feel better and feel more in control. POSITIVE MINDSET at positive thinking are not working. Positive
Deep breaths also provide the body and When you are positive throughout your thinking merely takes time to develop and
brain with a flood of oxygen that enhances studying and exams, you are giving really take root.
performance. These changes will naturally yourself a huge advantage. Positivity allows
increase your confidence and enable you to you to value the process. It helps you A positive mindset will help you to be calm
perform well. approach every challenge and enjoy it. You and self-assured when it matters the most.
will also begin to enjoy other high-pressure How you respond to tough challenges will
• Smile. When you feel stress and do not events in your life, such as a sporting determine your success, both as a learner
know whether you can take anymore, smile event or first date . . . experiences that at school and within the broader context
- even if you do not feel as though you can, previously used to scare you to death. Your of life.

Contact Dr Ilse Ruane Psychology for marital, couples and family therapy; counselling of children and teenagers; behavioural
adjustment challenges; stress-related challenges; depression and anxiety; psychometric testing; and career counselling.
For an appointment, or more information, please call 083 376 1995.

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