CHAMPIONING STUDENTS: EMBRACING THE POWER OF FOCUS

[continuation from the Last Post ~ in connection with the recent launch of a series of new programs intended for parents as well as their school-going kids/teens, under the auspices of 'The House of Creative Brains'.]


Learn about the true power of Pareto's Law or better known to most people as the 80:20 Rule.

Even though Pareto's Law has its origins from economics [Thanks to Italian agricultural economist Vilfredo Pareto who came up with the concept in 1906], today it has myriad applications in practically every sphere of activity, including natural phenomena like bushfires & earthquakes, & notwithstanding the academic world.

With its understanding, one will know how to segregate quickly the "essentials from the non-essentials".

For a student, understanding & applying Pareto's Law gives him or her true learning power, for he or she is now in an enviable position to appreciate the critical difference between "core materials" & "elaborative materials" in the school - & exam - syllabus.

When it comes to studying & preparing for tests & exams, students often jumble up all their reading materials &/or written notes. As a result, their brains are clogged with so much inconsequential stuff when they go into the exam hall.

By the way, what are "core materials"?

"Core materials" are the core knowledge or key concepts, including principles, laws, definitions, formulae & its key variables, as well as the inter-relationship between the variables (as in the case of mathematics & science subjects), taxonomy, nomenclature, major events & dates as well as their causes & impact (especially in the case of history), etc.

What are "elaborative materials"?

"Elaborative materials" are generally examples, illustrations, anecdotes, plus all the supporting notes & minor details that only serve to embellish the core concepts.

Why the importance of knowing the difference?

This is because 80% of the exam questions which a student will encounter in his school experience will invariably come from the "core materials" i.e the 20%!

More importantly, the application of Pareto's Law makes your reading, studying & reviewing more purposeful!

According to research indications [Regrettably, I can't seem to recall the source!], in any given text, irrespective of whether it is academic or business, the most important material accounts for only 4 to 11% of the entire printed matter.

Remember, the brain follows the direction of your dominant thoughts, whether you like it or not. The latter comes from what you focus on & pay attention to.

Neurologically speaking, this has to do with our Reticular Activating System & our amygdala in the brain.

US Navy Seals & even our SAF commandos know this aspect very well, especially when they are assigned to behind-the-scene, covert operations. By the way, they are trained in this skill known as "neuro-focus", & likewise, we can also learn & develop the skill.

With Pareto's Law, your attention to the world, & particularly to your own academic studies, becomes directed, & not easily distracted.

To sum up, powerful people are focused people!

Maverick entrepreneur & billionaire Donald Trump, & our MM Lee Kuan Yew, who is incessantly focused on Singapore's long-term future, are some great examples.

As an active aikido enthusiast & practitioner, Dilip will show you, by drawing a parallel from martial arts, how to develop the power of focus & create a sustainable flow - "mindfulness" - in your school experience.

[to be ocntinued in the Next Post.]

[For more information about the series of new programs under 'The House of Creative Brains', please get in touch with Ms. Faye Yeoh via her email faye_yeoh@yahoo.com.]