Expert: Sharon Crandall - 7/26/2004

Question
Sharon,

thanks for responding so quickly.

hmmm. symptoms: forgetfulness; i can be doing something and step away for a few seconds then just forget what i was doing it. i dont think im stupid; i took calculus in high schol at my choice. i got a B-. i went to college but didnt do so well grade-wise. i did better at the subjets i liked better. i now realize that i could not sit down for very long (20 min.) to read/study. that probably caused the poor grades more than anything. i think my short term memory is not so good.

i hope that was helpful. any suggestions for me?

thanks.

tom

Answer
Dear Tom,

Thanks for more info.  I wish I could do a photo analysis for you and I then I could tell your traits right away.  Sometime you might want to do that.  In the mean time, let me help you understand something.  Your gifts are your challenges and your challenges are your gifts.

This means that the traits that cause forgetfulness are actually gift traits (i.e. the absent-minded professor that is very intelligent). The more powerful the trait the higher the gift and the bigger the challenge.  I am guessing that you are a very thorough thinker and need to learn one step at a time.  If you miss a step it throws you and you have to start all over and learn each step.  We call that trait Sequential Thinking.  

The gift is that you usually learn very thoroughly and are good at research.  The challenge is that you appear slow in learning, but really are intelligent, just thorough.  Many intelligent people do not do well in school, but do better in learning on their own.  Your body style is probably such that you are restless and need to move around, which adds to the challenge.

If you will sit down and think about your traits you should be able to see that your strengths are also your challenges.  It is important to celebrate your gifts and just know that every person in this world is in the same boat and has both gifts and challenges, though perhaps in different areas.

Capitalize on your assets and figure out how to work with your challenges.  Perhaps taping classes and sessions, then listening to them as you walk around will help you assimilate knowledge you desire to learn.  For some people, the combination of listening and moving your body puts your brain in a receptive mode.

Pacing the floor while you read also might help, then repeating important facts out loud as you go.  You probably have better Oral memory than Visual.  Singing some of the facts might also be very helpful as you move.  Don't worry about the tune or how it sounds.  Music gets the brain to work better.

Personally, I believe that only a very small percentage have a learning disorder.  Most people simply need to learn their own learning traits and use their imaginations in working with them.  

I hope these few ideas are helpful and that you can go on and use your imagination after you carefully examine your traits.  You can email me through my website if you decide you would like a photo analysis sometime.  www.personalityconsultant.com.

I would like to hear if this is helpful for you.

Sharon Crandall
Personality Consultant