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Are You Smarter than a 5^th Grader?

Imagine a 5^th grader who has homework to do but can’t seem to settle in to do it. He squirms, he doodles, he jumps up to get a glass of water, he can’t locate the right paper, he breaks his pencil point, he moves at a snail’s pace - anything and everything to exasperate a parent before he finally attends to his work.

Do you think you are smarter than a 5^th grader?

Perhaps, perhaps not.

Be honest. Aren’t there times that you are just as squirmy? Aren’t there days when you just can’t seem to tackle what needs to be done – even if it’s something you’re obligated to do or desire to do?  You pace around, wolf down a snack, play a mindless computer game, make a phone call, attend to whatever - except the task that’s rapping at your door. After frittering away all that time, do you finally dig your heels in and get going?

Maybe, maybe not.

Sometimes distracting, mindless, chaotic activity is actually a precursor to that joyous state of being in which you are ON. Your energy is high, your creativity is flowing, your mind is buzzing – in short: you are “in the zone.” 

Other times, all that distracting, mindless, chaotic activity leads to zilch. As the sun sets, you recognize that another day has passed and you’ve neither enjoyed yourself nor gained momentum in what you want to accomplish. What a waste! What a disappointment! You’re in deep voo-doo – no action, only magical thinking that accomplishment will happen without effort.  

Now if you truly were a 5^th grader, you would probably have parents breathing down your neck, pressuring you to get your stuff done. But if you’re an adult, you probably don’t have anyone arm-twisting you on a daily basis to get your stuff done – even though you still may have to deal with an irritated spouse, an upset boss or a disgruntled child.

So, acknowledging that you have to be the one to move yourself beyond 5^th grader inertia, here are a few ideas that I hope will be helpful to you:

• Create a favorite motivational phrase. GET GOING! GET MOVING! YOU CAN DO IT! GO GIRL, GO!  Let your chosen phrase echo through your brain, stirring you to action despite initial resistance.
  Feeling lethargic? GET GOING!
  Not in the mood? GET MOVING! 
  Feeling overwhelmed? YOU CAN DO IT!
  Afraid you’re not up to it? NO MATTER, YOU GO GIRL!

• BEGIN! So what if you can’t begin in high gear. Low gear is a fine place to start.  Switching gears is always easier once you gain the momentum.

• Don’t dwell on what you have to do. Just get into it. Thinking too much impedes the flow of energy. Turn off that buzzing brain and trust yourself to function on automatic. 

• Stash the notion of brilliance. Send the critical part of your brain packing. Ditto for your worries and resentment. Now, what’s left? Why none other than the here and now. Which is just where you want to be as you settle in to do whatever needs to be done.

You know you can be smarter than a 5^th grader. From laundry to loving, when you go with the flow accompanied by an uplifting attitude and upbeat energy, good things will happen. Your reward: inner calm, proud achievement and that superb feeling of being ‘in the zone’.

Copyright 2007:  Linda Sapadin, Ph.D.  is a psychologist in private practice who specializes in helping individuals, families and couples overcome self-defeating patterns of behavior.

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