Session number: 34
Average n-back: 5.25
It went decently, and there were positive and negative aspects to the experience.
One positive aspect was that I jumped up to n=7 quite unexpectedly. All of a sudden, I had gotten 10 correct on n=6. So, there I was on n=7. I suppose that realistic thinking gives me credit for that.
Another positive aspect was that my average n-back is now at a new personal best. 5.25 is 0.15 above my previous personal best. The sense of progress that comes with this training is one of its most important aspects. 5.25 compares quite nicely to my nadir score of 2.30… at least I am going in the right direction.
A negative aspect is the recurrent neck tension that arises during the training. My own sense is that perfectionism impacts on this. For instance, if I drop from n=6 to n=5, and then from n=5 to n=4, I might beat myself up: That is not good enough, Shaun!
Of course, perfectionism impacts negatively on the training. Since it is only good enough if its perfect, and since I cannot make most things perfect, I am rarely satisfied with the training, and rarely feel pride in my results. Martin Walker and myself have already talked about leaving judgment at the door, and perfectionism means judgment with very high standards.
Notwithstanding the importance of letting go of perfectionism, and in spite of the damage that it causes, it is best not to use it as another reason to beat myself up. When I notice perfectionism in operation, that is my cue to note the temptation to berate, chastise, of attach myself: “How could you think such stupid thoughts?” Notice the temptation but DON’T. Rather, the cognitive action to take, is to remind myself that perfectionism is the product of low mood (sadness, discouragement, feeling let down), and of my personal history. That is the challenge… to let perfectionism go, unscathed and unpunished… like a cloud in the sky, without taking it literally.
So, in the effort the let go of perfectionism… chut to you latter, and warm regurds,
Shaun.
This post was submitted by Shaun Luttin.
Tags: Brain Exercises, brain-fitness, brain-fitness-pro, buschkuehl, increase intelligence, increase IQ, intelligence-training, IQ-training, jaeggi, martin-buschkuehl, mind-sparke, susanne-jaeggi, Training Working-Memory, working-memory