Really cool study in the February/March 2009 issue of Scientific American Mind about Cognitive Horsepower. Here is the short version:
In theory, "stress uses up the same cognitive horsepower that would typically be devoted to mental tasks, scuttling the performance of capable people who depend on their superior abilities," says Sian L. Beilock, psychologist at the University of Chicago.
"When you've got high levels of working memory, you actually use cognitive horsepower to do tasks,...and when you worry or stress during a test, then that stress is competing for the same resources as you are using to think at high levels and great speeds.
So if If you find yourself stressing during a test or another high level thinking activity, and your thinking, 'Crap,' then that worry is definitely a problem because it is competing for the same resources as your working memory.
Bottom Line: Stressing and worry want to use the same space and resources as high level thinking and problem solving. Don't let them compete. Quiet the mind so that you can think and ace all tests and other activities with a clear mind!
The solution: Do a "Real-Time Simulation." Rehearse in a situation similar to the performance scenario. Take timed tests, practice sports in extremely high pressured and intense environment, visualize, etc, so that when the heat is on during the real event, it will be like second nature to you and you will perform and excel at peak levels!
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