Learning is easier in a relaxed, non-critical state.

A state in which your ability to associate and disassociate, that is linking things together or breaking things up is increased.

While I was studying one of my ongoing courses, I wrote down the process I was using to study and learn. Change is new learning like any other form of skill.

First of all I got rid of all distractions. I turned off the TV, turned off all music and chased anyone who distracted me away so that I was alone with my mind.

I took a few deep breaths and allowed myself to relax. I repeated "Calm, confidence and peace" to myself much like a mantra in meditation. I made this my calming device by using self-hypnosis.

As I relaxed I became aware that I needed to turn off my critical mind. I needed to open my mind to new learning. The subject matter required me to take a different point of view than what I normally have.

This critical function is best left to when my mind can reprocess all this information in my sleep. I make a conscious effort to think this way as much as possible.

Then I begin to concentrate on the job at hand. I focus all my attention on the book or video or writing.

Repetition and persistence in learning is very important. If you want to make a change, you have to keep doing the new behavior until you are no longer aware that you are doing it.

Any material I look at or read I repeat at least 2 or 3 times. With video materials it is very easy to do this. I make notes the first time through, then I take time to go over it again to see if I missed anything.

It also helps to do any tests that might be available after I am satisfied I know the material. I leave this for another day so the material has time to settle in my mind overnight.

With written material, and live lectures, it is a little more difficult. For these, I use a five step process.

1) Hear it
2) Write it.
3) Read it.
4) Summarize it.
5) Generalize it.

Since a live lecture is not going to be repeated, I take lots of notes, unless the lecturer provides a good summary.

After the lecture, I read any materials the lecturer recommends and add to my notes.

Before exams or tests, I summarize all the materials as I read through my notes. For this I group the materials under general headings. This organize fixes the subject in my mind.

A day or more before the exam or test, I summarize everything using the general headings and using either one word or a short phrase to represent each item under the general headings.

Having gone over the materials this many times fixes it in my mind for as long as I need to refer to it.

Learn a new behavior requires the same dedication. It requires that you believe in yourself and your ability to change. It requires that you immediately respond to any problems you have and fix them then and there.

Create a state of mind, in a relaxed atmosphere, and check out your thinking. You need to ask yourself some serious questions if you are to make changes in you life.

If you need to change how you eat, then you have to be real with yourself. If you need to change your thinking patterns, worrying or living with guilt and regret, then you need to make yourself focus on the present, on living here and now.

Focus right now on everything that is around you. Look at it through new eyes as though you are seeing it for the first time. That is how you live in the here and now.

Learning, and change, requires the same attitude. You have to focus on what you are experiencing at this very moment. And in this mental state, this focused condition, new learn and change just happen.