Last week I wrote about the value of having a “fight song” and many of you emailed such great songs. Thanks so much! I will be compiling them in the near future and putting them up here. Please keep sending!
So, fighting for your goals? This really requires good time management skills, strong emotion management ability and a keen awareness of the importance of life BALANCE. At Mohawk’s Start Smart series I presented around the topic of Time Management (check out my presentation) and the strategies that can keep you on track. In a few weeks, I will be writing about Emotion Management Strategies, so please check back. Maintaining a life balance is the most critical part of process of achieving your goals, especially in the difficult times when you are wondering “why am I doing this?!?”
Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Robert Fulgham
Today, I want to emphasize how much maintaining a balance of work and play is to your success. Yes, you need to have fun even in the busiest and most stressful times in your semester (October and November). Before your semester gets too busy, make a list of all the fun things you enjoy doing, exercising, pub nights, video games, serial watching Netflix, reading, sleeping….everything you like to do. I know, it sounds strange to make this list, but in my experience, students tend to forget what they love doing and get stuck in “I should be studying”, avoiding anything fun, not giving their brain a break and not rewarding themselves for completing assignments. This just leads to being overwhelmed.
Work First; Play Later
So, before you really start fighting for your goals, start with planning for infusing fun into the fight. Really try to get your work done and reward yourself with doing things you love…completely guilt free. Who wants to keep working toward goals in a painful way?!? Ugh, I procrastinate wildly when I stop having fun.
If you find that the balance is tipping too far to spending all of your time having fun…ask yourself “why am I procrastinating”, “what am I afraid of?” and “why is school important to me?”. In a few weeks I will be sharing strategies for dealing with Procrastination…just in time for peek work avoidance season for students 🙂
Again, I always love to hear from readers!
If you have any topics you would like me to write about,
please pass them along.
Dr. Heather Drummond, C.Psych.
Psychologist * Passionate Advocate for Flourishing * Human Muddling Through
#EmbraceThisMessyLife
Well done!
Thanks Louisa!