Mindful Ink

Today we’re lucky to have a guest post by Martin of The University Blog!  You can see more of his excellent work there. 

Spending so much time on the search for improving productivity can become unproductive. You read the thousands of blogs out there suggesting one thing or another, just in case it speaks to you in the right way.

For once, how about looking inward? What if you could listen to yourself and figure out exactly what makes you tick? Here are some ideas that could lead to you finding a strong inner voice. Who knows where it could lead?

Believe in yourself

When you begin a project, it’s common to feel like you’re at the bottom of a hill that needs climbing. But don’t fret. We all run up hills at a different pace. Who’s to say you can’t be the fastest runner in this instance?

A lot can be said for a positive attitude and a willingness to push on.  Believe in yourself and reap the benefits. With that confidence you’ll already be halfway up that hill.

Don’t judge others and don’t compare
It doesn’t matter how other people study. We’re all different. What works for you may be the worst possible thing for the student next to you. Making direct comparisons with fellow students is a dangerous move, because you won’t necessarily be able to emulate the same results. I’ll say it again, WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT.

On the flipside, if a fellow student isn’t focusing on their work, it’s not for you to judge. By all means help them out if they ask for guidance, otherwise keep out of their business. There are many unknown factors in another person’s life that you’ll never be able to understand.

The important issue is with yourself. If your attempts at success are fruitful, you’ve cracked it. But if you need to work on your methods, it’s all about what works for you personally. Plain and simple.

Reflect on your progress
The pace of the world doesn’t always give us time to think. We risk racing along without considering how well we’re doing. Don’t get stuck in a rut, set aside a regular time for reflection.

It needn’t be long. 20-30 minutes should do. Any cares and concerns you may have with your progress are much easier to pick up on if you dedicate your thought to that particular idea.

It’s not just about the negative areas either. If you feel assured that you’re moving in the right direction and have got the right balance in your life, the reflection can put your mind at ease and instill a greater confidence in your actions.

Do at least one thing to push yourself every day
There’s a monster out there. It lurks around and attacks without you even noticing.

I call it the ‘Evil Comfort Zone’.

Just as a lot of people resist change, many of us feel safe in our little pockets of comfort. It might be a habit, it might be convenient process, it might be a wish to keep things ticking over steadily. Whatever it is, once you start working within your comfort zone, you’re no longer pushing yourself enough.

The monster keeps grinding you down, day by day, until it requires immense effort to get out of the comfort ditch and hear your true voice come through.

Keep the monster away. Find something new each day that will take you away from the norm and give you a different perspective. It can be big or small, but as long as it takes you away from what you know.

After a few pushes, keeping on your toes will be second nature and your inner voice will be shouting “BRING IT ON!”

Always do your best…then work toward improving your best
A very good friend of mine was scared of exams when he was young. At 9 years of age, he felt under so much pressure to do well in tests. It hadn’t gone away when he had other tests at 11 years old.

When my friend asked his Dad for help regarding the situation. His Dad was a teacher, so he seemed like the best person to ask as both a father and an educator. His Dad told him this:
“Tests don’t matter, so long as you always do your best. If you can honestly tell yourself that you’ve done your best, it doesn’t matter how well you do. Just work to the best of your ability and you’ll be a success.”

My friend took this on board and has never looked back. He’s now a teacher himself. And because he knows he’ll always do his best, he works toward improving that best at all times. Call it lifelong learning, if you will, my friend does it with great happiness and positivity. With this strength, he isn’t scared of a challenge.

Don’t take it too seriously
If you treat education as a matter of life and death, your blood pressure will shoot right up.

Just remember, you can recover from pretty much anything. At the time, an exam might seem the most important thing you’ll ever do. Fast forward a year or two and you’ll wonder what the fuss was about. Even if you had to retake an exam, or choose a slightly different path to get to where you want to be, it shouldn’t be enough to ruin your life.

We all make mistakes. That’s the way it should be. I’ve had to change my direction on several occasions. It’s only ever helped to improve my lot.

It might not be as simple as saying “You’ll be fine”, but it’s not far off. All you need on top of this saying is the belief that you can reach your goals one way or another. Your inner voice will help you shape that belief. If it takes an alternative route to succeed, that’s fine if you get there in the end. So put your mind to these alternative plans and you can be ready for anything.

Good luck in finding your voice.

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