MOTIVATE YOURSELF
The following motivational techniques inspired by Dave Ellis’s manual, Becoming a Master Student will be helpful in staying on task and reaching important goals in life.
Motivation can be directly related to the expected outcomes of an action. If the desirable outcome of an action is clear, it becomes easier to complete the task. Setting goals and breaking these down into small objectives is one way of improving motivation. When a person feels they are working toward a larger accomplishment, even unpleasant tasks become tolerable.
Fear is a great deterrent for completing necessary projects. It is important to look into why you do not want to do a task. The initial response may be, “I hate working on bicycles and I just do not want to do it.”
This is a secondary response emotion, though. The real emotion may be, “I worked on a bike when I was a child and it was never the same. I am afraid that if I work on this bike the same thing will happen. I do not want to be a failure.” Fear can get in the way of activities and deplete your motivation. One way of dealing with the fear is determining whether the anxiety is based on an irrational thought. You may not have been mechanically inclined at 8 years old, but now that you are 27 things have changed. Examine your feelings and determine whether this is a fear based on outdated inaccurate information, or a fear that is based in fact. Most fears that cause us to procrastinate and avoid doing things are irrational in nature. When you determine your true reason for avoiding a task, re-program yourself with positive affirmations such as:
“I am capable of doing this and succeeding.”
“I will feel really great when this task is completed.”
“Completing this scary project will help me prove how talented I am.”
“Bicycles are easy to work on, and this one will ride like the wind when I am finished.”
Sometimes the key to motivation lies in the environment you are in. You may dread changing the tire to your car, because your garage is wet, cold and ill lit. Ask a friend for the use of his well-light, heated garage, and the task may become more enjoyable. You can also make the project more enjoyable by asking other people to get involved. If you ask someone to share their expertise it can be an ego boost for them and a source of support for you.
Pressure can both increase your motivation and paralyze your actions, so it must be dealt with carefully. If you are dealing with a paper deadline for school, the motivation to get the grade and turn the assignment in on time has spurred many students into action. However, when the pressure gets too high the anxiety level rises and you can find yourself disabled by a stress reaction. You may need to diminish this tension in order to work effectively. This could entail getting a deadline moved, breaking the task down into small steps, taking time out to exercise and clear your mind, or just relaxing and sorting the whole situation out.
One way to ensure personal success and continued enthusiasm for your own path is identifying people who are successful in the things that are important to you. Get to know these people, study their attitudes and behaviors. By finding a model for success you will have someone to emulate. You might also look at people you do not wish to become and study these negative habits. Both will help you learn important lessons about your future, but be sure to focus on the positive person the most. It is interesting to make a list of your friends and families while analyzing which qualities each of these people have and the habits that make these characteristics possible. Your model for success may not lie in the actions of one person, but in the positive traits of all the people you interact with.
Find someone to be your motivational coach. This person should be someone who honestly believes in your skills and talents. Tell this person about your goals and dreams. Share stories, timelines, the objectives that will get you where you want to go. When you become discouraged, it will be this person’s job to remind you of your strengths and the benefits of persevering. If you exchange this service with a friend it is guaranteed to create greater intimacy and meaning in a relationship. You will feel motivated and will assist someone important to you in their road to success.
You do not need to consider yourself motivationally challenged. It is within your power to change your attitude about unpleasant tasks, and complete the project no matter what it is. Using these methods can help an individual become upbeat, efficient and effective in all areas of their life.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
MANAGE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY
We are all given twenty-four hours a day in which to live--no more, no less. So why is it that some people are able to accomplish more in one day than others can possibly do in a week? Other than possibly the difference of levels of energy, it must be that one person is able to manage their time more effectively than the other person. This does not mean that one person works harder, but rather, the person who accomplishes more in less time has figured out how to work smarter.
How can you learn to effectively manage your time in order to get more accomplished? Read the following tips and find out!
Tip1:
Set time limits for your simple activities. Some people are dawdlers. This is fine for someone who has a lot of time and they need to fill it, but if you are a dawdler and you wan t to get more done in a lesser amount of time, then you are going to have to learn to practice self-control and set limits on your valuable time. You can do this by setting a reasonable amount of time that the task at hand is going to take. Do not try to rush it, but on the other hand, do not allow yourself too much time to complete the task either. Let us, for example, that you want to clean out a closet. You will need to allow time to empty the closet out, then go through everything and throw away the items that you don't want or need anymore. Then you will need to clean the inside of the closet out and out everything back in it that you want to keep. Depending on the size of the closet, and the amount of stuff that is in it, let us say that you figure you can accomplish this task in one hour. Use a kitchen timer and set it for sixty minutes exactly. Then, start your task. You should have your closet cleaned out and put back together by the time, or even before, the timer goes off.
Tip 2 :
Do not try to do it all yourself. Do not overload yourself by insisting on doing everything yourself. Your husband, wife or kids can help out around the house and make your life easier. It will also help you to save time so you can get other tasks done. Make-up a list of chores for your kids to do. Talk to your spouse about doing a few things more around the house if he or she has the time and you feel overwhelmed. If your family is already too busy to help you out a little more, then you should consider hiring either full or part time help. You can easily find someone to help you do a variety of chores around the house, which may include cleaning your house, doing the laundry, ironing, or helping with the cooking duties.
Tip 3 :
Learn to set priorities and also to just say NO. In finding more time in your busy life so that you can get things done, you must decide what jobs are most important and need done first. Do not let little things get in the way if you can possibly help it.
Also, do not let yourself feel obligated every time someone asks you to do something for them. This includes charitable organizations, school activities, and, even when someone in your family asks you to do something that you do not have time for.
We are all given twenty-four hours a day in which to live--no more, no less. So why is it that some people are able to accomplish more in one day than others can possibly do in a week? Other than possibly the difference of levels of energy, it must be that one person is able to manage their time more effectively than the other person. This does not mean that one person works harder, but rather, the person who accomplishes more in less time has figured out how to work smarter.
How can you learn to effectively manage your time in order to get more accomplished? Read the following tips and find out!
Tip1:
Set time limits for your simple activities. Some people are dawdlers. This is fine for someone who has a lot of time and they need to fill it, but if you are a dawdler and you wan t to get more done in a lesser amount of time, then you are going to have to learn to practice self-control and set limits on your valuable time. You can do this by setting a reasonable amount of time that the task at hand is going to take. Do not try to rush it, but on the other hand, do not allow yourself too much time to complete the task either. Let us, for example, that you want to clean out a closet. You will need to allow time to empty the closet out, then go through everything and throw away the items that you don't want or need anymore. Then you will need to clean the inside of the closet out and out everything back in it that you want to keep. Depending on the size of the closet, and the amount of stuff that is in it, let us say that you figure you can accomplish this task in one hour. Use a kitchen timer and set it for sixty minutes exactly. Then, start your task. You should have your closet cleaned out and put back together by the time, or even before, the timer goes off.
Tip 2 :
Do not try to do it all yourself. Do not overload yourself by insisting on doing everything yourself. Your husband, wife or kids can help out around the house and make your life easier. It will also help you to save time so you can get other tasks done. Make-up a list of chores for your kids to do. Talk to your spouse about doing a few things more around the house if he or she has the time and you feel overwhelmed. If your family is already too busy to help you out a little more, then you should consider hiring either full or part time help. You can easily find someone to help you do a variety of chores around the house, which may include cleaning your house, doing the laundry, ironing, or helping with the cooking duties.
Tip 3 :
Learn to set priorities and also to just say NO. In finding more time in your busy life so that you can get things done, you must decide what jobs are most important and need done first. Do not let little things get in the way if you can possibly help it.
Also, do not let yourself feel obligated every time someone asks you to do something for them. This includes charitable organizations, school activities, and, even when someone in your family asks you to do something that you do not have time for.
Monday, July 16, 2007
PROCRASTINATING
Ø STOP PROCRASTINATING
Everyone procrastinates at one time or another. Some people habitually delay projects for work or school. Others put off cleaning the house or starting that diet. And while it’s only an occasional problem for most, procrastination can be a chronic stumbling block for some.
There are many reasons for procrastinating. Two common explanations are fear of failure and dread of taking on a long, boring, and/ or difficult tasks.
Fear of failure often comes into play at work or school where results are evaluated and can affect our future success. A student may put off studying for a test until the last minute. Lack of time hitting the books is a more desirable explanation for failure than lacking intelligence to learn the material.
When a task is perceived as long or difficult, many will procrastinate simply because there is no immediate gratification. For example, it will take months to lose those ten pounds. Putting off the diet one more day (and eating that yummy chocolate cake) will not make much difference.
But that one extra day (and the cake) does make a difference. Procrastination causes stress, anxiety and a feeling of failure. Students who fear failure ultimately guarantee that failure when they do not prepare for tests or start projects on time. Employees who begin tasks at the last minute rarely perform as well as their non-procrastinating colleagues. Putting off that diet will ultimately add to the number of pounds you need to lose to be healthy making the job that much harder to accomplish.
If you are a chronic procrastinator, you will not cure yourself in a day. Reward yourself for every step taken in the right direction.
First figure out why you are procrastinating. Is it fear of failure or lack of confidence? Write down all the reasons why putting off your project will bring you one step closer to failure. Does it make sense to put it off any longer? No.
Break down the task into smaller jobs. If it’s a thirty page paper due in two weeks. Write down a goal of finishing three pages a night. After you finish your nightly quota, give yourself a reward of some sort. Watch your favorite TV show (taped while you were working, of course) or have a treat.
Remind yourself (write it down and put it on the fridge) of how good you will feel when your project is done or when you’ve lost those ten pounds. Plan a big reward for that time. If the end seems too far away, give yourself a reward at the half way point.
Those of us who procrastinate on a day to day basis need a realistic clear prioritized ‘to do’ list. Keep the list with you and stick to the order. Cross things off as they are accomplished. Plan a reward for the end of the day if you accomplish all your tasks.
Tell your friends and family about your goals. If you have someone asking you how the diet is coming along, it’s more difficult to cheat. If you have a long school project to do, ask a friend to help keep you on task by calling each day to see what you have accomplished.
Procrastination can cause you to miss opportunities and sabotage your future. Stop procrastinating!
Everyone procrastinates at one time or another. Some people habitually delay projects for work or school. Others put off cleaning the house or starting that diet. And while it’s only an occasional problem for most, procrastination can be a chronic stumbling block for some.
There are many reasons for procrastinating. Two common explanations are fear of failure and dread of taking on a long, boring, and/ or difficult tasks.
Fear of failure often comes into play at work or school where results are evaluated and can affect our future success. A student may put off studying for a test until the last minute. Lack of time hitting the books is a more desirable explanation for failure than lacking intelligence to learn the material.
When a task is perceived as long or difficult, many will procrastinate simply because there is no immediate gratification. For example, it will take months to lose those ten pounds. Putting off the diet one more day (and eating that yummy chocolate cake) will not make much difference.
But that one extra day (and the cake) does make a difference. Procrastination causes stress, anxiety and a feeling of failure. Students who fear failure ultimately guarantee that failure when they do not prepare for tests or start projects on time. Employees who begin tasks at the last minute rarely perform as well as their non-procrastinating colleagues. Putting off that diet will ultimately add to the number of pounds you need to lose to be healthy making the job that much harder to accomplish.
If you are a chronic procrastinator, you will not cure yourself in a day. Reward yourself for every step taken in the right direction.
First figure out why you are procrastinating. Is it fear of failure or lack of confidence? Write down all the reasons why putting off your project will bring you one step closer to failure. Does it make sense to put it off any longer? No.
Break down the task into smaller jobs. If it’s a thirty page paper due in two weeks. Write down a goal of finishing three pages a night. After you finish your nightly quota, give yourself a reward of some sort. Watch your favorite TV show (taped while you were working, of course) or have a treat.
Remind yourself (write it down and put it on the fridge) of how good you will feel when your project is done or when you’ve lost those ten pounds. Plan a big reward for that time. If the end seems too far away, give yourself a reward at the half way point.
Those of us who procrastinate on a day to day basis need a realistic clear prioritized ‘to do’ list. Keep the list with you and stick to the order. Cross things off as they are accomplished. Plan a reward for the end of the day if you accomplish all your tasks.
Tell your friends and family about your goals. If you have someone asking you how the diet is coming along, it’s more difficult to cheat. If you have a long school project to do, ask a friend to help keep you on task by calling each day to see what you have accomplished.
Procrastination can cause you to miss opportunities and sabotage your future. Stop procrastinating!
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