Traditionally, this is the time of year to ‘up-the-anti’. Messages on school newsletters map out the importance of scheduling in time for revision and the need to put in more hours. And parents and teachers across the nation are advising, and sometimes imploring,  their students to try harder.

But, do you know, there’s a very strong case to be made for not trying?

When you talk about trying it supposes that you won’t necessarily achieve your goal – trying is about effort not success.

You can get an idea of what I’m talking about by trying to pick up an object from the floor. When asked to try to pick something up, most people will actually pick it up. But of course they’re not being asked to pick it up – but to try to.

When you’re talking to children about studying, you may find it helps to ask them to do their best, rather than to try. After all, that’s really what you want them to do isn’t it?  To do their best?

And if they can do their best without all the tension created by trying, all the better surely?

So how can they do their best without trying?

Watch out in the coming days and weeks because I’ll be writing a series of posts about the effects of stress on memory and thinking.

You’ll find ways to help your children really get into the flow for effective revision and to approach their exams with ease for peak performance.

Please join in the conversation by sharing
your comments and ideas on the blog.