山伏
キウイ
The observer’s bias
Over the past few days I’ve had some of my zoom classes recorded in the name of improving online classes in general. While I’m all for it, and I think it’s great to watch yourself teach (or do anything creative) so you can be more critical of your own performance, doing so too much can be a recipe for disaster.
It’s hard, but when you know you’re being watched you act in a way that is different than when you know (or think) you’re not. So when you’re doing something like a driving test or something that requires performance on cue, you really have to pretend like no one else is watching you to do it well.
If you start thinking about it, ie if you start using your brain, you focus too much on not screwing up, and it has the opposite effect. Being able to switch off the observer means being able to switch onto your natural self which leads to a better performance, if you’ve practiced well enough, that is.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi, a New Zealander who became a Yamabushi Ascetic in the Dewa Sanzan mountains of north Japan. I’m part of the Yamabushido team, and we host life-altering Yamabushi training on the Dewa Sanzan (website link). People come to us for the ultimate mindfulness experience, to reach the next level, or simply connect with nature and themselves.
I’m on a mission to summit all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to spread the splendour of this fabulous location, and in dedication to all those who lost their lives out in nature, including my father.
On my daily blog I post thoughts of a practicing Yamabushi that I hope people can use to better themselves and live as fulfilling a life as possible.
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Tim.
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