For Productive Web Browsing, Gearfire Recommends Achieving Balance in The New Term
Many, many moons ago, I wrote an article here on Gearfire about balance being the key to success as a student. One thing I never really went over though, is how to achieve that balance. I was young, and didn’t really know what to say on the topic. So, I spent many, many hours over the past many, many moons, doing my own personal research on how one goes about walking the middle path. At this point, I’d say that Aristotle would be quite proud of me.I film a weekly webshow for my own website, a self titled blog called A.Y. Daring. I write to young entrepreneurs, visionaries and lifestyle artists to inspire them, encourage them, and remind them of their purpose and goals. The show is called The A.Y. Daring Show. (I like to keep things simple and straightforward with naming.) This week’s episode was about how to achieve the balance I was talking about earlier, based on all the research I’ve been doing. It summarizes all the themes in all the works I’ve read into three key points, an is presented in less than 10 minutes. And since it directly relates to my earlier article, I want to share it with you guys and share these themes on Gearfire. Behold.
So in that episode, I discussed the three themes that I picked up on in my research. For a little more of an explanation, or if you can’t turn on your volume to watch it right now:
1) You have to make time for the things that matter to you.This is everything you hear about planning and prioritizing. As in, doing things now, making a study schedule, doing readings on time, etc. There’s nothing new to say here. Except that planning and prioritizing are both learned skills that require practise. I’d say you should give yourself a full term to break all the old habits of your past. If you’re not well on your way towards good study habits and learning skills by the end of the term (you be the judge of that!) then you’re not trying hard enough to make time for the things that matter, and a different strategy is in order.
2) You have to learn to say no. This means letting go of you’re ego and admitting you can’t do it all. This also means that, to everything you say “yes”, you must commit yourself to it wholeheartedly and be honest when your whole heart isn’t enough to hold your attention or keep you motivated. I’m talking to you, girl-who’s-on-11-different-commitees-but-is-only-serious-about-two! And you too guy-who’s-only-going-to-law-school-to-impress-people!
3) Making time for yourself. This is the theme behind all the things you read in the yoga and spirituality and beauty sections of the bookstore and what “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People” talks about in the chapter about “sharpening the saw”. It’s why I spend so much time doing my hair, nails and makeup each morning. As I like to say “burnouts don’t make billions” as in, if you don’t take time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour, all your gardening efforts will be for naught. You get my metaphor.So now, go pour yourself a glass of champagne, run yourself a bubble bath, and sit int he tub for a while, thinking about what’s important to you, and what’s not, and how you’re going to do your priorities justice.
Question? Comments? Praise? Don’t forget to comment and tell me what you think!
So, my questions to you to get the conversation rolling:
1) What’s the one thing you always make time for each day, and why?
2) How do you say no politely?
3) What’s you’re favourite way to unwind at the end of the day?
My responses:
1) I always make time for makeup and doing my nails. Always. If you ever meet me in the street, and I’m not made up and my nails look ragged, feel free to ask my why my life is falling apart at the seams, as that would be the only thing that would keep me from looking my absolute best. I just do it for no other reason than the fact that I enjoy it. I can’t draw to save my life, but I can make a masterpiece with a tube of liquid eyeliner and some lipgloss, you know?
2) I have no clue! But I have learned that if someone asks you for help with something, and you don’t have time to help them, referring them to someone who could is a really great way to absolve yourself of the guilt!
3) At the end of each day, I unwind by drinking green tea and writing in my journal. I’ve started reading again too, which is helping me sleep better. I used to watch television like an addict, but then I stopped randomly and replaced evening screen time with a book. I feel like such an old person, snuggling up in my bed with tea and a digestive cookie (both of which I bring to bed with me) and a book, but it helps me sleep like lullaby.
cosmetic surgery costs said
am December 24 2009 @ 1:46 am
Workers are entitled to fair pay and benefits. Companies have a reasonable expectation to earn a profit. How do we achieve these two things without losing our unions or business having to relocate overseas to stay competative? My own personal experience has been that the unions tie the hands of the company by having to many work rules. It should not take five people and eight hour shift to change a light bulb. That may be a little extreme but there are these kind of practices going on at Ford, GM and other union companies.
Sierra said
am January 2 2010 @ 1:09 am
1. I always make time to eat! If you don’t eat, you really can’t do much, can you? I even take the short five minute breaks I get during work and every single one, I force down a snack because otherwise I will forget.
2. I don’t think you should have any qualms about saying ‘no’. It’s your life and you need to have time to live it. It is important to sound confident in your answer and at the same time, be sure to not over explain why you can’t make the commitment.
3. I watch tv shows online. Usually funny, short ones like Accidentally On Purpose. It’s mindless, relaxing and enjoyable.
Money Bins said
am January 2 2010 @ 4:00 am
I love that you took the time to revisit your past achieving balance article and elaborate on how to actually achieve that balance. Thank you again.
amazing architecture said
am January 4 2010 @ 4:55 am
Making time for myself is one of the most difficult things to do. I need to learn, to work and find some time for my girlfriend. When dusk comes there is nothing to do but to sleep. I’m too much tired to do anything for myself. And during the day I just have no time. This is a real problem for me.
Ayomide! said
am January 5 2010 @ 1:19 am
2) I decided to practise what I preach just today actually, and dropped two commitments, explaining that I just didn’t have the time. And can I just say, living my life is darn liberating!
3) Have you ever seen Ikea Heights? If you’re into online shows, you’ll like it. It’s a melodrama shot entirely using the decorated rooms in Ikea!
@Money Bins- you’re welcome! Thank you for appreciating it!
@amazing architecture- I’d have to say that making time for dating is a big difficulty for me too! It’s a weird balance, isn’t it, between romantic love (or at least, potential love) and love of work that you do?
Internet Marketing | Net Age said
am January 6 2010 @ 12:33 pm
Making time for persoinal grooming and hygiene is important if you want to be socially acceptable….hahahahah. I always make time to take complete breaks, allowing myself to totally swiotch off and relax foir just a couple of minutes, whilst staring into the distance to alleviate computer monitor eye-strain.
used tires said
am January 7 2010 @ 7:42 am
Ayomide, I really love the enthusiasm you project in this video, that’s something I need to personally learn, perhaps you could also shed some light in a video for us on how you are just such full of life
I’ll be following your new blog when its up
Till then,
Jean
Caroline | Corporate Gifts said
am January 11 2010 @ 4:06 am
“Internet Marketing | Net Age said
am January 6 2010 @ 12:33 pm
Making time for personal grooming and hygiene is important if you want to be socially acceptable….hahahahah. I always make time to take complete breaks, allowing myself to totally switch off and relax for just a couple of minutes, whilst staring into the distance to alleviate computer monitor eye-strain.”
I could not agree more with you here,one has to take a break every now and then in doing to this helps one to absorb more information, gives the mind time to refocus as well. Great post.
Wendy Silk Screening said
am January 11 2010 @ 4:26 am
Firstly Happy New Year to you.
I have to say that I really agree with point 2, saying “No” is something that many of us have to start using, even me and it is something that I find really hard to do, I am always scared that I am going to hurt someones feelings, or if I do say “No” that person is not going too like me anymore, so for me its something that I really have to try hard to do this year, I need to put me first for a while.
radyo dinle said
am January 17 2010 @ 10:28 am
WTF what is this bro :S
oyun oyna said
am January 19 2010 @ 6:10 am
Back in the nineties, there were a series of commercials for the Taster’s Choice coffee company, revolving around two neighbors who met and eventually fell in love thanks to a common shared love of Taster’s Choice coffee. Sure, it may sound a little outlandish, but as most any college student will tell you, romances have been started on less.
Bidet said
am January 21 2010 @ 11:41 pm
Its always good to have a balance, I like the idea of drinking green tea at night, it relaxes you and makes you sleep better at night.
pen tablet said
am February 4 2010 @ 5:33 am
I fully agree. The one thing I’ve learned during years of my education and work was that I need some time and space for myself. Without it I can’t work properly.
mortgages said
am February 5 2010 @ 5:51 pm
It’s so important to make time for yourself and to spend some time regularly being alone if you want to truly experience personal self growth.
radyo dinle said
am March 2 2010 @ 4:24 am
A talented musician performs the song, Love Story by Taylor Swift, on the piano without any vocals or background music accompaniment.
webpage maker said
am March 4 2010 @ 1:35 am
What considerations an individual will make when achieving balance between personal goals and entreprenurial ?
real estate in australia said
am March 9 2010 @ 6:09 am
From the moment you integrate into your life time management skills, you have opened several options that can provide a broad spectrum of solutions to your personal growth. It also creates more doors for opportunities to knock on.
study skills said
am March 9 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Great video. Thanks for advice. Hope this semester is my best ever.
India said
am March 17 2010 @ 6:05 am
Heart and Soul
Mind and Body
Will and Resistance
Cocoa and Puffs j/k