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Positive Mental Attitude(PMA)

Our beliefs significantly influence how well we learn and remember. Let’s see an example. Yesterday someone told you a phone number, and today asked you whether you can remember it. Your ability to remember it largely depends on whether you believe you can remember it. If your first thought is “Of course I can remember, it’s …” then you are far more likely to recall the number. If your first thought is “There is no way I can remember that number. I didn’t write it down” then it’s a lot less likely you can remember it.

If you believe you have a good memory, your brain builds neural networks that support that belief. If you believe you have a bad memory, your brain builds neural networks that block recall of material that otherwise might be available. You consistently act in a manner that matches your self-image.

Self-image interacts with two other parts our mental attitude - Self-Talk and Self-Esteem. How is your self-image related to self-talk and self-esteem? The diagram on the right provides a basic summary. What you say to yourself (your automatic thoughts) guides how you see yourself, and this guides how you feel about yourself. The cycle can run the other way as well.

The good news is that you can change those neural networks that support your self-image. It’s not difficult! You can use some of the techniques you learn later in this book to challenge and change negative self-talk. As you change your self-talk, it then starts to change your self-image, and from there your self-esteem. As those positive experiences build, it’s easier to make more changes to what you think, feel, and say about yourself.

This is a fundamental way you can improve your mental attitude. “Quick Fix” techniques are unlikely to work in the long term if you don’t address a faulty self-image.

Next is a basic outline on how you could use three techniques, assertions, mental firewall and anchoring, to help change your self-talk. I cover these techniques in the Memletic Techniques chapter.

Assertions

In summary, an assertion is a short positive phrase that asserts some behavior or outcome as if you have already achieved it, regardless of whether you have or not. Review the assertions below, and make up a few personal ones along similar lines. Write these down so that before each study or learning period, you can briefly review these assertions.

Mental firewall

Use the mental firewall technique to filter out negative and self-defeating self-talk. If you find yourself continually criticizing yourself, this is a good way to help change the habit. Replace those self-defeating thoughts with positive assertions and your self-image and self-esteem change to match.

Anchoring

Often you can look back over your life you and find some positive learning experiences. It may be a particular topic at school, or an activity such as music or sport. You can use the anchoring technique to recall similar positive feelings when you need them, for example at the start of a study period or during a difficult test.

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Many issues can affect your positive mental attitude. If you feel your mental attitude is suffering, there is more information in the “Deal with Challenges” part of this book. This part deals with fear, motivation and other learning-related issues. Tackle and resolve these issues, if they arise, to stay in Memletic State.