Hello on a cold, snowy day here in Minnesota.  Thank you for reading the Self Help Tips Blog!

Today we will discuss how to prepare your mind so that you can learn new information at an optimum level.

Everyone has the ability to become smarter, think better and absorb new material quicker. In today’s world, technological changes occur so quickly and information accumulates so rapidly that each of us needs to become life-long learners. The state of our educational system is not conducive to optimal learning and because of past experiences in this system, many people believe that learning is an arduous, tedious task.

The truth is that most people were never taught how to learn. You can not approach your optimum learning level like it is a mass produced, assembly line product. Each individual has a preferred way of learning. Discovering your individual learning style will make any learning experience more profound, productive and will extract the maximum benefit.

When learning a new subject, there are basically two approaches that a person can take. Either you are an individual who looks at the big picture first, or an individual who prefers to start by looking at the details first. If you are the first type of person, you prefer a more unstructured learning environment. You look for general principles and basic concepts and then begin to relate the details to the larger picture. However, if you fall into the second category you begin with the facts and data first. You prefer to methodically approach each detail and build upon it before moving on to the next step.

After determining your learning approach, the next factor to uncover is your learning intake style. We all use our senses to intake information from our environment, whether through seeing, hearing or touching. When it comes to learning a subject, each of us has a tendency to rely on one particular sense more than the others. The three principle intake styles are kinetic, auditory and visual. A person who learns best when seeing a demonstration or reading a book is a visual learner. Auditory learners do best when hearing a lecture or listening to a tape. Someone who absorbs new skills and knowledge by applying hands-on experience, doing and learning at the same time, is considered a kinesthetic learner.

A couple of other factors come under the heading of intake styles. Do you learn better when interacting with other people? This is known as an interpersonal learning style. Other people may learn better when they are alone.

What is your preferred resource in regards to learning material? Today there are an overwhelming amount of choices when it comes to learning resources: videos, classes, seminars, lectures, books, audio books, e-books, workshops and much more. Basically, any type of resource can be classified under one of five different categories.

1. Print - books, magazines, newspapers
2. Media - video, audio, slide presentations
3. Personal Experience - workshops, simulations
4. Discovery - documenting a subject firsthand
5. Interaction - classes, seminars, conversations

By choosing the wrong resource to learn from, a person could end up feeling that the experience was frustrating and a waste of time. Incorporating the right learning resources can make the difference between a positive learning experience and a negative one.

While every individual has a set of unique learning styles, there is another factor to optimal learning which is universal to all people. Research has demonstrated that people learn best when manifesting certain brain waves. Depending on state of consciousness, an individual’s brain can emit one of four different brain wave patterns measured in cycles-per-second (CPS).

Beta - (10-40 CPS) can be either conscious awareness or dreaming
Alpha - (8-12 CPS) relaxation, meditation
Theta - (4-7 CPS) strong emotion, concentration
Delta - (1-3 CPS) Dreamless sleep

The Theta brainwave pattern has been shown to be best suited to optimal learning. Unfortunately, a person cannot consciously transfer from a Beta state to a Theta state. On the other hand, since the Alpha state is close to a Theta state, it is possible to enter into a Theta state in just a few easy steps.

First, enter into a relaxed Alpha state by using deep, steady breathing. Next, deepen your relaxed state. Since the low end CPS of Alpha is 8, it is a small incremental step to reach Theta’s high range CPS of 7. Finally, repeat numerous times an affirmation to lock in the Theta brain wave pattern. An affirmation is simply a positive statement which can be something as simple as "I learn easily and effortlessly".

Learning should not be considered as a burden or a chore. Learning keeps our lives and brains new and refreshed, as well as opening unlimited possibilities. Discover your learning styles and make learning the adventure that it is supposed to be.