The power of positive thinking and self-affirming imagery have been well documented in the world of athletics. For every game winning shot Michael Jordan knocked down in his legendary career, he hit at least a thousand more in his mind's eye. Like other elite and non-elite athletes alike, he visualized himself succeeding, and if his results are any indication, the power of positive imagery is unquestionable.
Vizualize
While it may seem obvious to athletes, a strong belief in one's own ability and avoiding self-defeating thoughts can also be powerful tools for test-takers, especially those taking the vaunted ACT. Really, it is as simple as believing that you will succed, and vizualing a successful and positive ACT experience that matters most. Imagine a great baseball player, who suddenly loses belief in his ability to succeed, or worse, starts doubting his abilty altogether. Certainly, even the most talented players would see a rapid decline in their performance, especially if they allowed those crippling thoughts to dominate their mental paradigm. This too has significant implications for students taking a high stakes test like the ACT.
How to Eliminate "Test-Anxiety" and Maximize Your Score
Simply put, students need to trust their abilty and realize that the can maximize their score just by staying relaxed, confident and focused. On the flip side, many students inpair their natural ability by succumbing to "test-anxiety." The difference between a student, who is confident and relaxed going into an ACT and one who is anxious, nervous and self-doubting, could very easily swing their baseline score dramtically up or down depending on their state of mind, which subsequently could be the difference between getting and not getting accepted to the school of their choice, or even, in a worst-case scenario, cost them the opportunity for scholarship dollars. Just as an athlete who is "tight" will inevitably make unforced errors and mistakes, the tightly wound test taker is bound to miss several questions that they would have otherwise answered correctly.
Avoid Self-defeating Thoughts...
The best way to avoid these psychological pitfalls and traps is to think affirmitively, ask yourself how a successful person would approach the test and then follow that intrinsic advice. Moreover, it is essential to eliminate the negative thoughts from any past failings by focusing on the most immediate task at hand, and taking direct action by establishing a game plan for meeting a targeted goal. The mind will work to achieve what it's told to do; simply, by establishing a positive outlook and goal, the brain begins to work toward that purpose. Far to often, students allow negative thoughts to paralyze them, and drastically inhibit the brain's capacity to learn and thrive. Tell yourself you can't do something, and sure enough, you'll find a way to fail. Conversely, tell yourself you CAN, and the brain starts working hard to make that dream a reality.
Final thoughts...
Finally, it is important for test-takers to put themselves in a postion to succed by ensuring they are at their peak physical and mental capacity. Just as any dedicated athlete does, the serious student preparing for the ACT makes sure they are well-rested, eating healthy and taking care of themselves before the test. Further still, they avoid the "haters," who try to discourage their efforts to do well. It is imperative that they don't let negative people derail their positive approach, and so, if at all possible, they should surround themselves with like-minded individuals. It is absolutely crucial to develop a great attitude and a strong sense of purposefullness if maximum effectiveness is to be achieved.
Be Like Mike: Believe to Succeed!
By concentrating on our assests and positive qualities, it becomes second nature to think and dream "Big," which, combined with an important long-term goal, gives anyone the abilty to succeed. Just like Michael Jordan consistenly hit clutch and dramatic game-winning shots on his way to Basketball greatness and a place in its Hall of Fame, test-takers of all ability levels can apply the same approach and positive self-imagery to achieve their personal best score on the ACT.
