Thanks to a clinical diagnosis by the school of psychiatry, I am granted my human right to read and live alone. So, I tell you a short story about me and B.F. Skinner. Mr. Skinner was an American psychologist who studied “learning.” He was famous for demonstrating the concept of reward and punishment by placing a small animal inside a box, known as “Skinner’s Box.” With this simple classic idea in mind, I pinned a sign on my bedroom door that read “Skinner’s room,” and I watched the process of my learning. So I reprogrammed my childhood thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through my brain. This is how…

First, I set up the room: I hung inspirational images, placed a pitcher of water and a selection of herbal teas, created a sitting area with paints and an instrument, and designated a study space with books and a laptop computer. Second, I used a stopwatch to track the time, as each area of the room had a purpose. Then, I walked around my room and challenged myself to play one more song, read one more chapter, paint for 30 minutes without stopping, and I rewarded myself with soothing teas. I thought, “I physically exercise with a stopwatch,” so “why would I not do the same with brain exercises?” Additionally, I discovered that punishment was the reason I struggled to learn as a child, whereas rewarding myself with warm tea kept me calm and awake. For example, peppermint tea eased belly aches and chamomile tea relaxed my muscles.

In conclusion, having a “Skinner’s room” was a brain-drill experience of a heavenly nature. Rewarding myself plus having a stopwatch was “the way” to create new habits. I concluded that my brain can learn if my environment is clean and my body is comfortable. The entire project kick-started my brain; I’ve A’s in all my online college courses, and my IQ score moved up from above average to intelligent.

    At the time, Jim Kwik, an American author and Brain Coach, was “hot” on YouTube, and he wrote a book on his own personal brain recovery. He mentions the importance of “flow,” and I applied his method to the room. Here are the 4 stages of “flow”: The book is called “Limitless.”

1. Eliminate Distractions
2. Give yourself Enough Time
3. Do something you love
4. Have Clear Goals
5. Challenge yourself a little

A big thank you to:

1. Three college courses: Psychology 101, american History of Rock and Roll, and environmental science

2. The founder of The “Body and Brain” Centers: Energy Healer, lchi Lee

3. The author of the book “Limitless”: Brain Coach, Jim Kwik

4. The founder of the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, CA, is Carol Carpenter, a female from Oakland, CA, with a mission to improve massage therapy practices by incorporating both East and West styles of touch therapy.

5. The founder of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard, American author of the book “Self Analysis”