Memory
how to do the shanghai squeeze
Hi Dr. Richards, my name is Sam, I'm 35, and I am struggling with a pretty peculiar problem. I have been trying to master this card trick called the 'Shanghai Squeeze', but for some reason, I get really anxious every time I attempt it. This seems silly, I know, but it's causing me a lot of stress.
Hello Sam, nice to meet you. There's no problem too small if it is causing you distress. It's definitely not silly. Have you seen any correlation between attempting the 'Shanghai Squeeze' and the increase in your anxiety levels?
Yes, absolutely. Every time I try to perform the trick, I start feeling really nervous. My hands shake and I worry about messing up. It's supposed to be fun, but it feels like a high-pressure situation.
I see. It sounds like you might be experiencing performance anxiety, which is quite common. Why don't we try to break this down? Can you tell me what specifically about the 'Shanghai Squeeze' makes you anxious? Is it the fact that others are watching, or something about the trick itself?
It's both, I think. The trick is quite complex, so I’m afraid of making a mistake. And when people are watching, I feel the pressure to get it right even more.
That's fully understood, Sam. It seems like it’s the fear of failure that's causing you anxiety. We can work on strategies to handle this anxiety better. It could start with you practicing the trick on your own until you feel more confident and then gradually introducing an audience. Does that sound like a plan you'd like to try?
Remember: Everything Talkie says is made up!