“When I was in school I did this and this AND this…”

Blah, blah, blah…

It’s easy to look at classmates, friends, or peers and feel like you should be doing everything they do, or doing it faster or better.

Or maybe you’re getting the age old “used to work a full time job and come home and cook for six kids” story, implying other people did way more than you’re doing, and they turned out just fine. (But did they?)

Your life, your energy, and your priorities are unique to YOU.

• You don’t have to take on the same responsibilities, in either type or number.

• It’s 100% okay to focus on what truly matters to you.

• It’s even absolutely fine to have tons of free time, and not fill your day chocked full of projects.

In fact, one could argue this is the point of time management: do what you need to more efficiently so you can get on to enjoying life.

(It’s me, I argue this is the point.)

It can still be a challenge to confront these ideas. How can you manage the thought you should be doing more?

Learn how here:

  August 21st - You're not "other people"

Go back to the August is for Education homepage.

When we talk about time management, what are we ACTUALLY talking about?

Your day has 24 hours no matter what. You can’t make the time go faster or slower, or move it around. You can’t pause time when you want to sleep in or speed it up when you’re stuck in line.

When we talk about time management, what at we’re actually talking about is the adjunct skills like planning, focus, energy, motivation, decisions, habits, and boundaries.

Sure, time management also has to do with clocks and calendars, but these are the things that determine how much you get done, how stressed you feel, and how well you reach your goals.

The best part? These are all learnable skills. The more you practice them now, while in school or juggling classes, the more you’ll use them effectively for the rest of your life.

Take control of your time this term:

  August 20th - You can't actually manage time

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 “Follow your dreams.”

“Believe in yourself.”

“You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Ugh. 

Have you heard these before? “Success platitudes:” pretty sounding statements that should be inspiring, but aren’t actually helpful in any meaningful way.

The problem with these phrases is that they feel like they should motivate you, rather than annoy you, but mostly they just invite criticism. They’re comforting (sometimes), but they’re mostly empty fluff.

What to do?

Write a better quote.

Learn how to take common platitudes like “everything will work out in the end“ and rewrite them into phrases that:

• you believe

• are inspiring

• motivate you to take action 

Take control of your time this term:

  August 19th - Use mantras you actually believe

Go back to the August is for Education homepage.

 Are you constantly thinking about that gap between what you did and what you wanted to do? 

• You missed ten points on a test

• You finished two places behind first

• You missed your mile time by 30 seconds

These are examples of how we focus on the gap, the valley between where we actually were (90%, 3rd place, 7 minutes) and where we wanted to be (100%, 1st place, 6:30).

This is totally normal! In fact, we’re specifically trained to focus on, analyze, and close the gap.

Despite being normal, it’s really freaking depressing.

• Can’t we just celebrate for a minute that you answered ninety questions correctly?

• Can’t we just admire that you placed in the top three?

• Can’t we just say it’s incredible that you ran a 7 minute mile?

It’s easy to get discouraged when you compare where you are to where you want to be. But focusing only on the gap can steal your motivation. Instead, take a moment to notice what you have accomplished.

By celebrating your wins - big or small - you build confidence and momentum. After a break, you can still notice where you need help, but from a place of strength and curiosity instead of frustration and sadness.

  August 18th - Focus on your gains

Go back to the August is for Education homepage.