Confusion

Never give up; you never know until you try.

We've all been there--so confused that if someone were to ask our name, we would have to think a minute before giving it.  I've seen it in my students, and I've felt it myself when faced with a multi-faceted problem that seemed to defy all attempts to solve it.  We all hate that feeling.  We like being in control or at least having the illusion of control.

What I frequently tell my students and remind myself is that eventually the confusion clears and understanding comes if we stay with something long enough.  I think it often means leaving the "problem" alone for a while and focusing on something else.  It's hard to "get" the answer when we're churning like a boiling pot.  Focusing on something else allows our previous lessons learned to come to the surface and help us with the situation at hand.  Then, while we're cleaning the house, or working on vocabulary lessons, or just sitting quietly, resting our minds, we "suddenly" understand the steps to solving the math problem, or what to do about our unruly child, or where to search for a job. 

As a friend in human resources development said to me recently, the key is persistence.