Monday, September 8, 2014

Episodic Memory, Semantic Memory, Oh Forget it, Just Make Mistakes!


Episodic Memory, Semantic Memory, Oh Forget it, Just Make Mistakes!
 

Do you fear messing something up? Sure, we all do. But this week, your goal is to take a leap into something you fear, and mess it up. You actually learn better when you mess up. Of course, you could attempt something you fear and actually achieve it on the first try, which is just another reason to attempt your goal despite the potential for making a mistake.

However, the reality is, we all know that when we try something new, we have a chance of making a mistake. When you try and retry to find a solution to your mess up, you are actually using a deeper part within your brain. Getting sort of technical here, when we think at a deeper level for more understanding, we require an activation of our semantic memory. We are forced to complete a stronger memory search resulting in greater memory recall.
 
 

Taking a step back here- we first have something called episodic memory. This is a part of our memory that involves recalling experiences and the emotions and feelings behind them. Our episodic memory was activated as we learned to ride a bike. As we practiced, and fell, and practiced again, we soon had ingrained into our mind what we learned.

At this point, our episodic memory soon felt safe enough to let go of some of the direct emotions and feelings behind the event. As the feelings went down, more solid information flowed into our semantic memory. Here is where basic knowledge is stored.
 

The moral of the story- the more you routinely work through your “mess ups” the more you will get comfortable with this practice and it will soon become basic knowledge to act in this manner. And, as a consequence of making mistakes and working through them, as you attack your next task, you will go head on with less anxiety, more understanding and more knowledge and overall self-awareness. Soon, making mistakes and working through them with limited fear or anxiety will become like riding a bike.

This week’s challenge: Begin to familiarize yourself with messing up and figuring out solutions to your “mess ups.” Realize that mistakes are essential for growth, success, and that often when we mess up, our priorities are put in line and our values come to fruition.

Thomas Edison- “I failed my way to success.”  
 
 
Dr. Jaime Kulaga is the author of Type "Superwoman: Finding the LIFE in Work-Life Balance - A Self-Searching Book for Women". She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured in Forbes, Glamour, Self and Prevention magazines as well as the national show Daytime for her expertise in Work-Life Balance.
http://www.mindfulrehab.com

 

 

 

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