By Dr Melodie de Jager
Negative fear of failure is a survival brain function. This part of the brain does not think logically before responding. Without rational thinking to activate logical analysis, reasoning and creative problem solving, and positive emotions to unlock memory and motivation, you can neither concentrate on reading the test questions nor answer them well. You may only catch a word here and there, assume what has been asked and write down any answer that comes to mind.
In contrast to a negative fear of failure, a positive fear of failure enables you to be alert, to focus, concentrate and read carefully and with comprehension. Now you can approach the test or exam as a challenge to combine all your knowledge, creativity and passion to succeed!
A person with a negative fear of failure needs to:
Take the necessary books to school every day.
If the brain is ready, learning is easy.
Eat FOOD – not junk. Water is brain fuel. Boost the essential skills for test writing by taking a few sips of water, stretch your hands and fingers wide open a few times and do the following Memory and Confident Test Writing Mind Moves as illustrated in Mind Moves – Moves that mend the mind before writing a test or exam:
Rub the indentation just below the collar bone in line with the left eye. This move re-establishes the electrical flow via the Vagus nerve to the speech organs and stomach to help relax butterflies and talk with ease.
Massage both ear lobes simultaneously from top to bottom using circular movements. This move develops the near senses, auditory processing and perception as well receptive language ability.
The eyes are to the brain what the mouse is to the computer. The eyes access different parts of the brain when turning up, down, horizontal, left and right. Focus the thumb held at elbow distance from the eyes. Move the thumb upwards, fist around the left eye and then around the right eye. Repeat five times. Swop hands and repeat the same process, always first drawing a circle around the left eye and then around the right eye. This move stimulates the visual, auditory and kinaesthetic receptive ability, while crossing the midline to integrate the left and right parts of the brain and body. It develops eye-hand coordination and visual integration.
Lie down. Slowly raise the left arm and left knee. Relax. Slowly raise the right arm and leg. Relax. Repeat at least ten times. Once the move can be performed smoothly, do it standing up. This move develops hip flexion, the left and right brain, it interrupts reflexive movement, relieves impulsive and hyper and hyper active movement. Always follow with the Bilateral walk.
Touch the left knee with the right hand, twisting the trunk to bring the opposite shoulder and hip towards each other, extending the other arm and leg. Now touch the right knee with the left hand, extending the other arm and leg. This movement stimulates left-right integration through crossing the lateral midline and is best done fist lying down and then standing up. Repeat 10 times. This exercise can be done singing or doing some form of role learning. This move integrates the left and right parts of the brain and body, while crossing the midline. When eyes are moved into visual, auditory and kinaesthetic positions, this move also crosses all 3 midlines.
Fling the arms wide open while breathing in deeply and slowly. Close the arms over the chest in a hug, breathe out deeply and slowly. The The parent may simultaneously hug from behind. This move boosts relaxation, rhythm in breathing and a sense of well-being.
Enjoy your school years!
Participate in sports and fun, but spend enough time on your studies
SOURCE:
De Jager, M. 2009. Mind Moves – moves that mend the mind. Johannesburg: Mind Moves Institute