Mind blanks during solve?

[TheSquareOne]

I’ve noticed a curious thing when cubing which I’m sure others must get as well:

I’ll be half-way through an algorithm and my mind suddenly just blanks!

As in, I’ve just done the first few moves and then I stop and wonder: what comes next?
I can’t remember if I’m doing a T or J perm. My fingers won’t move automatically. In fact, the only thing that’s moving is that insistent timer.

I’ll be sat staring, motionless, for a few seconds before my brain finally clicks in and reminds me: ‘Oh yeah, I’m stacking cups’!



I’m sure I can’t be the only one this happens to; people are always walking into rooms and forgetting why they’re there.

I’d like to know what people do to overcome this problem.
Does it improve with practice? Is more caffeine required? Or a quieter environment?

Thanks!

 

[BananaSlayer64]

I also get that quite often, I honestly don't know what you can do about it. I'm pretty much sleepy all the time so that might have something to do with it.

Sent from my Z00D using Tapatalk

 

[alisterprofitt]

That happened to me often while doing just about every skill, and I diagnose it simply as a lack of focus. Since I have started meditating and try to be more mindful throughout the day, blanking tends not to happen, since I am only focusing on the thing I'm doing, rather than perhaps thinking of eating or whatever else.

 

[MennoniteCuber1]

Just stop doing mindless solving. Caffeine isn't required, I haven't noticed it having any effect on solving.

 

[MadaraMangekyou]

it happens to me when I don't execute a PLL for several solves
what i do when it happens is to see the algorithm written in some place, then I execute it and my memory for that algorithm comes back...
recently I've using pll trainer, for to remember them all...

 

[xchippy]

A lot of times I'm doing f2l and I'm like 3 moves away from solving the pair, and I know what moves to make, but I'm busy tracking other pairs and I forget where the original pair was. I've learned to trust what I think I should do.

 

[rubikmaster]

Yep, I think it's pretty much lack of focus. This happens to me quite rarely, though. It could also have something to do with muscle memory when it comes to executing algs. At least that's what I've concluded from my own experience. You simply forget the individual moves of some algs while only this quick "reflex" is left in your memory. With just a small moment of distraction you can get confused and experience these "mind blanks".

 

[Smiles]

this has never happened to me ever

 

[Renslay]

Happened with old algorithms (it appears only after weeks of cubing) or new algorithms (I learnt a new parity for 4x4x4, and many times I am sure I know it by now, and then suddenly, the fingers stop in the middle...)

 

[G2013]

It doesn't happen to me or hasn't happened, I suggest concentrating only and only in the solve (if it's a competition) and before starting to inspect tell to yourself: "I'll be solving a cube, I must concentrate", something like that. If you are in your house, it doesn't matter I think

 

[cashis]

this has never happened to me ever

same... I didn't realize this was a thing

 

[Berd]

I once judged a guy at OH who completely blanked at a Y perm. Very entertaining.

 

[OrigamiCuber1]

Not really. I guess the only thing close was my first ever blind solve in comp. I was memoing corners (which I do last) and had repeated them about 7 times nad then put the blindolfd on and completely forgot my memo. Sorry about that solve Berd (it was pretty long).

 

[EvilGnome6]

I call this phenomenon algorithm amnesia.

I have had this happen many times. Something with an algorithm I used just a few solves ago. It makes me feel old.

 

[IRNjuggle28]

I've had this happen with PLL parity on big cubes. The muscle memory is different enough from 4x4 that I forget it. It's been a while since that happened, though.

 

[Renslay]

I just forgot how I perform my F6 CMLL on a 4x4... I had to look it up. :fp:

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

I just forgot how I perform my F6 CMLL on a 4x4... I had to look it up. :fp:

I always forget F4 when im doing OH. Then i have to look it up when i realize i cant even do it 2H lol.

 

[youSurname]

I've been on full OLL (-dot) for maybe 6 months now, so they've sunken in a lot. Every now and again, and only when I'm casually solving, I'll get to OLL and I'll do the wrong one. I'll reverse it, and try to do the right one, but I can't. I do the same one again, and again, and again. When this happens I get so pissed, and come back later able to do it perfectly fine.

 

[IAmAPerson]

This only really happens to me on big cubes like with what IRN said. For 3x3, my muscle memory is so strong that "algorithm amnesia" never happens, but fingertricks on big cubes are different, so it sometimes happens. Luckily, I very rarely solve anything bigger than a 3x3! I've solved 11x11 before, but big cubes just don't really interest me.