Tag: success

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Celebrate Your Milestones.

As you navigate this final week of March into upcoming Spring 2016, get excited! There are so many things you can reflect on and celebrate as you continue working hard. I was reflecting on a few personal milestones of this 2015-2016 and was shocked by how much was accomplished in just the time since this academic year began. Here are just a few:

 

  1. Traveling to Las Vegas in October 2015 for the National Academic Advising Conference and presenting with a co-worker on current methods

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2.  This picture is self-explanatory

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3.  Reading Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, War & Peace, during Thanksgiving Break. F-i-n-a-l-l-y!!

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4.  Completing a novel (Wheelman) and getting it published. (I highly recommend NaNoWriMo each November!)

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5.  Adding a family pet in February 2016-

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These were just a few of the memories from this year. As you think about your milestones, it’ll help motivate you to work through to the end of this season. I look forward to hearing your success stories.

My best,

Brian

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4 Ingredients for Writing.

Tap into your inner Emiril Lagasse for a second. Think about the kitchen as a workspace. Big chef’s hat and all. Emeril (or, any chef) takes his/her cooking space seriously and might involuntarily throw out phrases like “BAM!” and “Kick it up a notch!”

Now, think about your favorite recipe.

Got one in mind?

Mine is always the same, always delicious: Blackberry Cobbler.

cobbler

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1 pint blackberries

 

Now, Think about the steps required to make something that delicious. And, then transfer that kitchen-etiquette onto YOUR process for doing something else you love (mine’s writing).

For example:

There are steps to follow at your writing desk, equipment that must be used, and documents to prepare in a certain order that (believe it or not) are very similar to what it takes to make the almighty cobbler.

Here are 4 of my “Go-To” Writing ingredients (followed in this order below):

1. Be intentional in setting aside a “quiet” space (Not like this one, it’s clickable and complete with strobe lights.)

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2. Don’t let obstacles stop you from picking up the pen!

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3. Set a goal (word count, 500 words+) before you can quit!

575761 (love this one, click it!)

 

4. Get consumed by the endeavor!

558407 (Maybe not this much)

 

5. Return to “life” only after the goal is met!

535908 (Picture says it all.)

 

**These 4 items give me direction in giving my labor of love the proper amount of discipline it deserves. I hope it helps you in yours this week.