Procrastination Hits Hard...

Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day. – Francis Gray

As I am sitting here writing this blog, I am procrastinating on my homework that is due by tonight at midnight.  Most of us place priorities in which the order they have a deadline to meet.  So if something is due a week from now, realistically we won't start it until a couple days before, or even sometimes wait till the day before.  It is human nature for us to place things in order of importance and for some the problem of procrastination can become very bad for their college life, carrying into their career and future life.  Without learning the discipline that deadlines holds, procrastination just seems like an easy way out for most to prolong something they don't want to do.  However, if you have a mindset that allows you to have the motivation to be active and not to procrastinate, you will soon find that you won't be stressing at the last minute to get something turned in.  On Forbes.com they had an article that lists three reasons to help you overcome procrastination...

1. Break goals into manageable chunks.

2. Establish "now" deadlines.

3. Turn abstract ideas into concrete action steps.

With these three ways to end procrastination, it should help you have the motivation everyday to accomplish goals that might not be tomorrow based, but ones that if you get done without procrastination can make you life a lot more easier.  Tomorrow may seem easy to say, however how many tomorrows do you really have to start accomplishing goals for yourself before its to late to actually get started? 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/09/04/study-the-secret-to-ending-procrastination-is-changing-the-way-you-think-about-deadlines/

#motivationmindset #motivation #procrastination #goals #notomorrows #setyourgoalssunday 

Is it Possible to Work and Attend College?

To succeed… You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. – Tony Dorsett

The question most people contemplate when going to college.  They just don't give themselves enough credit that they actually can do both.  I myself work full-time and am taking 5 classes this semester.  I still have a social life with my friends/ family, I am getting A's in my classes and enjoy my life everyday.  I wouldn't change what I do for anything, life as I know it would become boring and meaningless if I didn't have school and work in my life.  An article I found titled "Five Reasons to Work While Going to College" explained motivations on why you should actually work and go to college. Reasons to go to college and work at the same time was...

1. Working in college can help avoid debt.

2. Working in college can provide valuable job experience.

3. Working in college helps you balance time management.

4. Working in college can help improve grades.

5. Working in college can provide employee benefits. 

I can relate to every one of these reasons and believe strongly that the reason I am so motivated in life is because of a constant push I get from both of these strong entities in my life. Without having a push in life I feel like most of us can become complacent with where we are at in life. I think that getting an education is the most important thing that a young person can achieve and it can only lead to good things for the future.  Without getting an education in this day and age people stand little to no chance in attaining a high powered job title, which leads to the conclusion that without pushing yourself to balance work and college at the same time, you might not ever know how to successfully balance multiple challenging things at once. Get that bachelors or masters degree your goals are set on and work hard everyday, soon enough those long and sleepless nights will pay off.

 http://moneyfor20s.about.com/od/studentloans/tp/working_in_college.htm

#motivationmindset #motivation #workhard #collegelife #dedication #pushyourself

12 Motivation Strategies!!

Please think about your legacy, because you’re writing it every day. – Gary Vaynerchuck

So you might find yourself questioning what are some strategies that can help me have the mindset to motivation? Well I am a huge reader of digging deep and finding articles online about different methods, as you can tell by this blog! So I found this article that list "12 Strategies for Motivation." It is not from any CEO or successful entrepreneur, its actually from Allegheny College website under "Dean of Students."  So hearing from students themselves what motivates them is truly inspiring and relatable because I share the same lifestyle as they do on a day-to-day basis.  

1. Set goals.

2. Establish rewards for your hard work.

3. Don't give up.

4. Positive thinking.

5. Seek support.

6. Learn to say no to things that have no attribution towards your goals.

7. Establish discipline.

8. Use positive imagery.

9. Reflect on why you may have not accomplished your goals in the past.

10. Read motivational quotes.

11. Advise medical help, if you have depression or a mental illness.

12. Practice self care!

I think personally all of these strategies are very effective in helping you narrow down how to successfully motivate yourself because in reality we all need a little guidance on how. Learning what you want your goal to be, is something that is different for everyone and once you truly know what you want, you will have no problem in thinking these strategies everyday!

http://sites.allegheny.edu/deanofstudents/wellness-education/todays-topic/12-strategies-for-motivation-that-work/

#motivationmindset #motivation #TGIF #goals #workhard 

What is Success??

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."- Maya Angelou

Success is defined in the dictionary as "the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame."  This definition seems very wrong in so many ways, so I looked up several different articles and found one that really intrigued me. It was how "9 incredibly successful people" defined success.  The definition they described with success was a lot more positive than the dictionary's definition of it. And this is what those 9 people said...

1. Money and power aren't enough.

2. Success is a matter of satisfaction.

3. Success is about living in accordance with your values.

4. Success is about enjoying your work.

5. Success is being relentless.

6. Success is about engagement.

7. Success is a matter of constant growth.

8. Success is a grind. 

9. Success is deeply individual. 

I think that all of these influential people know what they mean when they define success because they have lived to the dictionaries definition of success. However along the way had their own interpretation of what success really meant to them.  By figuring out what we think is successful, it will help us understand where we need to head with our motivation and where the drive should really allow us to become our own definition of success.  

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-9-incredibly-successful-people-define-success-2014-5?op=1

#motivationmindset #success #drive #determination #bethebestyoucanbe #setgoals #motivational 

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are two different categories that can be broken down to explain our motivation mindset.  Extrinsic motivation comes from the outside forces we are exposed to everyday.  Its the driving force that we put our mind in to respond to factors that have beneficial value to our life or make it from experiencing a consequence we might be faced with. Intrinsic motivation comes from ourselves, it is the things that make us happy in our mind, that is neither beneficial or harmful towards our life.   So which one is the most beneficial motivation to focus on? Well researchers have drawn conclusions about which factors are important to realize.

1. "Unexpected external rewards typically do not decrease intrinsic motivation."

2. "Praise can help increase internal motivation."

3." Intrinsic motivation will decrease, however, when external rewards are given for completing a specific task or doing only minimal work."

In both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation we accomplish goals we set for ourselves.  Whether it be a goal that ties into what we want our future career to be like or even if it is a goal of solving a cross-word puzzle in class with a friend.  Everyday we accomplish something that makes us happy and creates more motivation to keep doing what we're doing!

http://psychology.about.com/od/motivation/f/difference-between-extrinsic-and-intrinsic-motivation.htm

#motivationmindset #Gandhi #happy #goals #motivation #success #drive

What is Motivation?

Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day. – Francis Gray

Motivation is defined as "the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors." There are essentially three different sub parts of motivation; activation, persistence, and intensity.  Activation comes from within and is the spark that we all have to set goals for ourselves.  Persistence is the drive that we have to keep going, even if situations get tough.  Intensity is the mindset that we can accomplish those goals that are set through the actions and drive we show to the world.  There are also different theories of motivation which I will touch on in another blog I write, but for now think about the three components that make up motivation. What are your reasons for your activation, persistence and intensity. As I have answered the questions I have asked you in my blog I will share my answers that motivate me everyday to continue to pursue my goals.The goal for my motivation for my example will be pursing my career goal of working for Chick-fil-A corporate. 

1. Activation- Was applying for the job, applying for certification class, asking what are the next steps for promotion.

2. Persistence- The drive that puts a flame under my butt is the drive that all the hard work I am doing now will pay off in the long run.

3. Intensity- My mindset often is defaulted towards being the best; however along the way I have experienced failures.  It makes my intensity when I do succeed at something that much greater than the small failures that I come upon.  

I think that if you also make this list for yourself it can help you hon in on all three components and allow you to dive deep into your mindset of motivation!!

http://psychology.about.com/od/mindex/g/motivation-definition.htm

The Twenties is a Struggle!

Change is not a threat, it's an opportunity. Survival is not the goals, transformative success is.  -Seth Godin

I am a twenty year old and as much as I think I have my life under control and figured out, everyday I come to realize that I don't have it all figured out.   I do have goals that I set for myself for the future that I want to reach, but I read an article on my friends Facebook page that mentioned "11 Life Hacks for the Emotionally Struggling 20-Something."  It opened my eyes that I am going though the same problems as described in the article.  I try very hard to excel in everything I do however after reading this article I have come to realize that I do struggle and sometimes I need to sit back and look at life.  These are the 11 Life Hacks that us 20-somethings have to overcome everyday. 

1. You will not feel better tomorrow if you don't figure out whats wrong today.
2. Its difficult to say goodbye in the digital age.
3. You have to not only infuse your life with the little things that will make you enjoy your day, but also learn to free yourself from your thoughts that keep you in confines from enjoying said things.
4. Your life won't change in a day.  Mindfully incorporate "healthy" practices into your life until they become a routine.
5. Re-teach yourself how to feel.  You're often too molded by your past experiences to go forth in the best way possible.
6. When you reach the point that you can appreciate the wonder in every one of your feelings, you will start realizing that there is more to life than just "happiness."
7. I think that when people say "be grateful" and "appreciate" what you have" they are entirely neglecting the fact that doing so is incredibly difficult when you're not in the mindset that appreciates anything whatsoever.
8. Vulnerability may be the most underestimated human experience.
9. Although people's opinions shouldn't matter, they do, and may always.
10. Know that this path will not be easy. Nothing worthwhile, genuinely changing or in the human experience ever is.
11. Sometimes you will be overcome with emotion. 

I think after reading this article it made me recognize that I need to take all of these 11 statements into consideration and realize that my mindset is something that can help myself overcome all of these struggles.  I have the motivation to make my twenties the best years of my life, because they don't call it the roaring twenties for nothing!!

http://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2013/08/11-life-hacks-for-the-emotionally-struggling-20-something/