TIPS REPORT 52: DEFEATING PROCRASTINATION

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

Sometimes you need to hold off on a task, job, or project because something more pressing comes up. When you continually push it off, you may be struggling with procrastination. There are many reasons people procrastinate, from perfectionism to overwhelm, but defeating procrastination is possible with these nine tips.

 

1. Figure Out Why You Procrastinate

Understanding ‘the why’ behind your procrastination aids you in overcoming it. Some of the reasons you may put off completing a task include poor organization, feeling overwhelmed, fear of failure, fear of success, and perfectionism. Consider what is driving your procrastination so that you can defeat it.

 

2. Write Out a To-Do List

You may feel overwhelmed at everything you need to get accomplished. You may have less to do than you initially thought. Writing everything down can help you gain a better scope of what you truly need to do.

 

3. Prioritize What You Need to Do

After listing everything out, prioritize what needs to be done and add how much time it will take next to the task. If there are deadlines, you should add those. The goal is to be able to identify where to place your focus first. You may even find you have some you can put off or ignore.

 

4. Break Projects Down into Bite-Sized Tasks

When you have a large project in front of you, it may seem like a mountain. You move a mountain one pail of dirt at a time. It helps to break your project into smaller, more manageable tasks that you can quickly check off.

 

5. Do Away with Distractions

Completing tasks take twice as long when you are being pulled away. Turn off all notifications on your phone and computer. That includes social media notices and email. If you need background noise, find some soft music, but avoid turning on the television.

 

6. Take Care of the Hardest Job When You Are at Your Peak

Do you get more done in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Take advantage of your peak time of alertness to tackle those jobs you have been putting off. You will have more energy and can get invigorated by accomplishing much.

 

7. Tie a Reward to an Accomplishment

Some people love rewards for getting things done. If you do, pick a task or project and set a reward for accomplishing it or getting so steps completed. You might indulge in a movie, playing a video game, or social media time.

 

8. Find an Accountability Partner

Knowing you have to answer to someone about your progress can be a great motivator. Look for someone who can encourage you when you get sidetracked, as well as give you firm reminders to get back on task.

 

9. Just Get Started

Getting started is often half the battle. Instead of just thinking about starting a project, set your timer for five minutes and work on it. Once the timer goes off, you are more likely to keep working, which means you are much closer to getting the job done than five minutes earlier.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Ask yourself why you procrastinate on some jobs but not on others. You can then work on alleviating the blockers and learn how you can accomplish more.

 

b) Take a piece of paper and brainstorm everything you need to do. Then, assess what you can do and what you can delegate. This frees up time for those items only you can handle.

 

c) Decide on some different rewards you can give yourself, write them on slips of paper, and place them in a jar. You can have the extra fun of choosing a surprise reward once your task is complete.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Psychology of Procrastination

https://amzn.to/3zP7VbY

2. Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It

https://amzn.to/3N1NjAc

3. Eat That Frog!

https://amzn.to/3bcrroI

4. The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

https://amzn.to/3tHF4Cs

5. The Procrastination Equation

https://amzn.to/3mUceeB

TIPS REPORT 51: MAINTAIN FOCUS UNDER PRESSURE

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

We all face pressure at different points of life. It may manifest as tight deadlines, creating a sales presentation for a new client, or a demanding boss at work. Home life also brings pressure in different forms, such as meeting your family’s needs, handling a special needs child, or caring for a sick loved one. How you maintain your focus while under different levels of pressure begins with the following nine tips.

 

1. Focus on Completing One Task at a Time

Pressure causes you to lose focus. Soon you find yourself working on eight different projects and accomplishing none. It helps to list the tasks you need to do and then choose one of them to complete. Then, move on to the next. Before you know it, you will have the whole list complete.

 

2. Stop Procrastinating

If you are a procrastinator, you set yourself up for undue pressure. Many times, pressure comes from a lack of action. Now is not the time to put things off; instead, you will increase your anxiety and stress. Just pick up that first task and get started.

 

3. Take Regular Breaks

You may think of this as counterintuitive. Once you get into a rhythm, you want to get things done. Yet, you will face overload and burnout without the occasional break to re-focus and decompress. There are many techniques to help you focus that give you opportunities for breaks, such as the Pomodoro technique.

 

4. Slow Down and Breathe Deep

The extra pressure you experience releases stress hormones for your fight or flight mechanisms. Deep breathing tells your body to stop emitting those hormones. Concentrated breathing techniques aid you in redirecting your mind to those tasks you are working on at the moment.

 

5. Make Sleep a Priority

Lack of sleep makes things seem worse, and stress causes insomnia in some people. You then find yourself in a vicious cycle. The more pressure you are under, the more you need to value your sleep. It helps if you create a bedtime routine to help your mind wind down, including shutting down electronic devices before bed.

 

6. Maintain Your Exercise Routine

Sleep helps your mind and body repair themselves. Exercise helps your body handle stress better by releasing hormones to make you feel better. Being under pressure is not a reason to stop exercising. Instead, it is a great reason to keep up your routine or establish one.

 

7. Accept Mistakes and Move On

You may make more mistakes when you feel pressure and then feel more frustrated. It’s helpful to rethink your attitude toward making mistakes and consider them an opportunity to learn and grow.

 

8. Ask for Help

It’s okay to ask for help and support when the pressure gets to be too much. Talk with your coworkers, boss, partner, or friend about what you need and how they can support you. It is much better to swallow your pride than make a huge mistake while in a stressful situation.

 

9. Learn from the Pressure

Constantly working under pressure is not good for your well-being. Eventually, you will burn out if you don’t learn from each experience. Consider past times of undue stress and look for patterns. Develop a strategy to prevent this from reoccurring.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Think about what pressures you are currently under and develop a strategy to handle them. You might need to write down everything you need to accomplish and then prioritize them.

 

b) Use a timer to remain hyper-focused on a task for a set period. Once the timer goes off, walk away and take a break for 5-10 minutes to reset your brain for the next work session.

 

c) Go to bed earlier to give your body much-needed rest. You may want to turn off all electronic devices and turn down the lights so that your mind can calm down before hitting the sheets.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Pressure Principle

https://amzn.to/39AQJwi

2. Finding Focus In A Busy World

https://amzn.to/3xZwX6P

3. Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence

https://amzn.to/3Qt9mmk

4. Peak Mind: Find Your Focus

https://amzn.to/3tG83XC

5. Radical Focus

https://amzn.to/3O76FWa

TIPS REPORT 50: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THERAPY

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

Therapy offers you the opportunity to work through challenging issues. Choosing to work with a therapist is brave and will supply you with many options for handling your problems. Your mental health is worth seeking professional services, and if you want to make the most of your therapy, utilize the following nine tips.

 

1. Pick a Therapist that Is the Right Fit

It’s a good idea not to choose someone purely because of convenience to work or home—instead, research therapists based on their specialization and therapy approach. Then attend two to three sessions with the one you choose before determining if they are the right fit for your needs.

 

2. Take Care of the Business Side of Your Session First

Before you begin your first session, be sure you take care of items like insurance. It’s a good practice to handle any administrative items before each session. You may be less like to remember them after your session when you may be emotional.

 

3. Embrace Homework Outside of Sessions

You won’t make progress quickly if you do not implement tools and strategies from your sessions. Instead, take what your therapist has given you and use it throughout your day-to-day life. Make notes about how things went and share them during your next session. If you are not sure what to do, ask.

 

4. Decide How Much You Want to Share with Others

You may be tempted to share all the details of your sessions with your family and friends. Doing so opens you up to the opinions of others that may not be beneficial. Therapy is a safe place. Don’t let others threaten that safety.

 

5. Work Together to Establish Goals for Progress

Do you want to get better? What does that look like? Work with your therapist to establish what you hope to accomplish with your overall therapy and break those down into smaller goals. You will then be able to see the progress, which will bolster your confidence and aid you in building constructive habits.

 

6. Be Honest with Your Therapist

Therapy is to aid you in working through a problem or relationship issue. That means you need to be open and honest with your therapist. Share your emotions. Know that it is okay to get angry or cry. Be authentic so that you can get the most help possible.

 

7. Keep Your Appointments

Healing begins with the first session and continues when you show up. Your wellbeing should take priority, so do everything in your power to keep your therapy appointments.

 

8. Know How to Check-in with Your Therapist Between Sessions

You may struggle with implementing strategies in between therapy sessions and become overwhelmed. Please discuss with your therapist the process for contacting them during these times to get the additional support you may need.

 

9. Be Patient with Your Progress

Therapy is not a direct route from A to B. You may take two steps forward only to take three steps back. That’s okay. Learn to be patient through the process and keep the lines of communication with your therapist open.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Think about what you would like to get out of therapy and write them down. Maybe you want to overcome your panic attacks or work through grief. Use these revelations to start your search for a therapist.

 

b) Research therapists in your area that specialize in the type of therapy you believe you need. Remember, it isn’t about choosing someone because of convenience. It’s about finding the right fit.

 

c) Schedule a consultation with a therapist if you are looking for one. If you have stopped therapy but now feel you need help, schedule an appointment and show up.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. I'm Working on It in Therapy: How to Get the Most out of

https://amzn.to/3mYa25J

2. Essential Art Therapy Exercises

https://amzn.to/3xDBQB8

3. The Family Therapy Workbook

https://amzn.to/39yAsYB

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple

https://amzn.to/3mZSmGK

5. 250 Brief, Creative & Practical Art Therapy Techniques

https://amzn.to/3O1y77u

TIPS REPORT 49: HOW TO STOP SEEKING VALIDATION

This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

We all enjoy a pat on the back or kudos when we do something right or accomplish a goal. It validates our thoughts and actions and boosts confidence to continue achieving our dreams and ambitions. Obtaining validation from your parents, friends, or social media is okay unless you seek outside validation constantly. If you do need the approval of others to feel better about your choices, it is time to stop and learn how you can trust yourself and gain self-confidence, starting with these nine tips.

 

1. Ask Yourself Why You Seek Others’ Approval

Understanding why you need validation from others helps you in taking the necessary steps to grow in confidence. Many times, your need for approval comes from your past. Take some time to ask questions and reflect on the answers.

 

2. List the Things You Think You Are “Bad” At

Sometimes we get caught up in a cycle of feeling like we cannot do anything right. This leads us to seek outside approval. Take some time to write down everything you think you are “bad” at, even if it is small, review it, and determine to work on one item. Once you accomplish it, pick another. Each time you master a new thing, you grow in confidence.

 

3. Focus on Positive Actions You Took

Boost your confidence and write down 5-7 things you accomplished today, no matter the size. For example, maybe you met your water intake goal, handled a disgruntled customer graciously, and cleaned the kitchen after dinner. Each item shifts your thinking from negative to positive.

 

4. Break the Habit of Asking for Validation

Before you ask for confirmation and validation from others, pause. Do you genuinely need their opinion? What would you tell them if the roles were reversed? When you wait a moment and consult with yourself, you strengthen your confidence and self-trust.

 

5. Look at Rejection as a Way to Grow

Each incident in your life, whether good or bad, provides an opportunity for growth. Consider a time when you disappointed your boss or partner. How did you recover from that situation? What did you learn from it? Using disapproval as feedback shows you how you are growing and moving forward.

 

6. Make Personal Growth a Priority

Choosing to continue growing as a person and learning from your mistakes frees you from the need for others’ approval. Focus on pushing forward, knowing you may make a mistake or two. Then, learn from it and grow in your confidence.

 

7. Turn Off from Social Media

Social media overstimulates our brains with a constant flow of idealistic images. If you don’t measure up, you may struggle with feeling like you don’t obtain the number of likes you want. Enjoy the break and use the opportunity to read a book, accomplish a goal, or do some other endeavor.

 

8. Stop Playing the Comparison Game

You are unique. You have talents and skills all your own. Instead of comparing yourself to others, learn to accept who you are while looking to the future and where you’d like to be. It is a tricky balance, but it is worth the effort to build your confidence.

 

9. Accept Yourself for Who You Are

What makes you happy? Seek out those things that increase your happiness and stop worrying about what other people think. This will be challenging, but it is a great confidence booster as you build your self-confidence.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Take time to ask why you think you need the approval of other people to feel better about yourself. Knowing the reasons helps you recognize patterns of thought that you can overcome.

 

b) Focus on your positive attributes by listing them and reviewing them. You might want to place sticky notes reminders on your bathroom mirror, beside your coffee pot, and at your desk.

 

c) When you make a mistake, decide to learn from it and not run from it. You may want to journal about the incident so that you can look back later and see how you grew from it.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing,

https://amzn.to/3yaD4FP

2. Greatness Within: A Five-Step Framework to Stop Seeking Validation

https://amzn.to/3zT1btw

3. Validation Addiction: Please Make Me Feel Worthy

https://amzn.to/3xZ0ihM

4. Need to Please: Mindfulness Skills to Gain Freedom from Approval Seeking

https://amzn.to/3tLJs3E

5. You Are Enough: Is It Love or Your Need for Validation?

https://amzn.to/3HFOBzR

TIPS REPORT 48: HOW TO APPRECIATE LIFE MORE

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

Our fast-paced lives can quickly overtake our psyches, making us dread our day-to-day experiences and fail to appreciate our lives. It is possible to combat feelings of frustration and despair when you step back, switch your focus, and practice gratitude. An excellent place to start is with these nine tips.

 

1. Appreciate the Small Things

It is easy to appreciate the big things and overlook the small things in life. Build your gratitude habit by acknowledging there is nothing too small to appreciate. For example, look out your window and relish that you can see the sky with its clouds.

 

2. Find the Good in Your Pain

It might seem convoluted to think anything good can come out of a painful past, but it is possible. Your experiences make you who you are. Look for those traits you developed through the troubled times of life, such as compassion for others in similar situations or quiet strength in times of stress.

 

3. Write Down the Reasons You Are Grateful

As you contemplate all the reasons you are grateful, record them in a notebook or on your phone. This way, you can revisit them at times when you may be struggling. It is similar to a memorial and will help you refocus when you need it.

 

4. Give of Your Time

Investing in others is rewarding. It increases your well-being and makes you more grateful for what you may take for granted. Try to find ways you can volunteer in your community. Maybe you can tutor an elementary student in reading or visit elderly shut-ins.

 

5. Tell a Loved One Thank You

Sometimes you may find that you are grateful for something your mother or father has done for you. Why not share that with them? You might go about this by writing a thank you card or, better yet, give them a call.

 

6. Spend Time with Family

This tip can get tricky sometimes, but spending time with family helps you appreciate life. You can swap stories that can enhance and strengthen your relationship. Be sure you listen intently to your loved one and engage with the conversation instead of thinking about how you want to respond.

 

7. Live in the Moment

Many times we spend more time worrying about the future instead of enjoying the present. Why not stop thinking about tomorrow’s meeting and spend time engaging in conversation with your three-year-old? Life is too short to spend your precious moments reliving the past or dreading the future.

 

8. Stop Playing the Comparison Game

We spend hours on social media looking at what others have and wishing we were them. Comparing your life to others leads to frustration and potentially depression. Embrace what you have and resist the urge to play the comparison game. To win, you might need to limit your time on social media sites. It will be worth it in the end.

 

9. Make Self-Care a Priority

We may stop appreciating life when we become too busy and are overworked and tired. Think of a child that needs a nap. Even small things make them cry. The idea is similar for adults. Getting good sleep allows your body to renew itself and puts life back into perspective. Eating healthily and getting exercise also boosts your mind, body, and spirit.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Choose one step and focus on it for a week. You might choose to list three things items you are grateful for each evening, or you might shut down social media.

 

b) Consider what changes you need to make to get better sleep, eat better, or exercise, and make it a priority. Underappreciating life may be an indicator that you have stopped self-care.

 

c) Give your loved ones a call and tell them ‘Thank you’ for something they did that makes you grateful for them. That pleasant conversation may be the first of many in strengthening your relationship.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Gratitude Project

https://amzn.to/3QuL23n

2. A Life of Gratitude

https://amzn.to/3tJl96i

3. Appreciate Your Life

https://amzn.to/3N1eM59

4. Small Pleasures

https://amzn.to/3mYvw2g

5. Life Is So Good

https://amzn.to/3xDATc2

How to teach Math. Innovative Strategies for Integrating Technology in Math Instruction.

Teaching math can be a challenging task, but integrating technology can make it easier and more engaging for students. As a math teacher, you may have already tried using technology in the classroom, but are you using it to its full potential?

In 2019, I had the opportunity to teach a course on how to teach math at Huzhou University, and I had a great time doing so. One of the topics that I did choose for this post is integrating technology, and I'm excited to share some of the strategies in this blog post.

One of the most effective ways to integrate technology into math instruction is through the use of interactive whiteboards. Interactive whiteboards can help bring math concepts to life by allowing you to manipulate and display visual aids in real-time. For example, you can use a whiteboard to show students how to solve a problem step-by-step or to draw graphs and diagrams.

Another strategy for integrating technology into math instruction is through the use of educational apps. There are countless apps available that can help reinforce math concepts and provide students with extra practice. Some popular math apps include Khan Academy, Mathway, and Photomath.

Online resources are also a great way to integrate technology into math instruction. Websites such as Math Playground, Cool Math, and IXL provide interactive activities, games, and worksheets that can help students build their math skills. Additionally, online resources can be accessed from anywhere, which can be particularly useful for students who need extra help outside of the classroom.

Collaborative learning is another strategy for integrating technology into math instruction. Online tools such as Google Docs and Zoom can facilitate collaborative learning by allowing students to work together on math problems and projects, even if they are not physically in the same location.

By incorporating technology into math instruction, you can help make math more engaging and accessible for your students. Since teaching the course in 2019, I have transformed it into an online training course consisting of four chapters available at: https://mgameirollc.uteach.io/courses/bundle-courses  Each chapter contains comprehensive content and exercises designed to help you become an effective math teacher, including strategies for integrating technology. With this online training, you can learn at your own pace and apply what you learn in your own classroom to help your students achieve their full potential in math.

Integrating technology into math instruction can be a game-changer for both students and teachers. By using interactive whiteboards, educational apps, online resources, and collaborative learning tools, you can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that promotes student success in math.

Discover how to leverage technology to enhance math instruction in this comprehensive training course. Learn research-based strategies, practical tips, and real-world examples to transform your classroom and engage your students.

#math instruction, #technology, #interactive whiteboards, #educational apps, #online resources, #innovative strategies, #research-based, #practical tips, #real-world examples, #classroom engagement, #How to teach Math.

If you want to see more posts like this click here

TIPS REPORT 47: BECOMING A BETTER WRITER

This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

The Internet and remote working situations showcase the need for better writing skills in the workplace. Companies conduct different business matters via email, while authors and online entrepreneurs put content out on the web. We all need strong writing skills to communicate our messages effectively. Whether you email clients and co-workers daily or dream of writing the next New York Times bestseller, becoming a better writer is possible with the following tips.

 

1. Write Daily

Writing is a skill. You might think of it like a muscle. Strong muscles require exercise, and strong writing requires daily practice. Consider setting aside time each day, say 30 minutes, and dedicate it to writing down your thoughts in a journal or drafting a professional blog post. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

 

2. Read Daily

Reading what others have written expands your vocabulary and thoughts. You gain new perspectives that can enhance your writing. Read everything you can, even the hard stuff. Your brain is a muscle that will relish in the time you spend feeding it new ideas.

 

3. Develop a Writing Routine

Find the time of day that works best for you and make it a routine. For example, if you are an early bird, choose to write early in the morning before others awake and cause distractions. Night owls may prefer to write after the house quiets down.

 

4. Eliminate (or Reduce) Distractions

You may sit at your laptop, but distractions will quickly sway you from the task at hand. Turn off your phone, shut down all programs on your computer except for your chosen writing program, and eliminate as many distractions as you can. Then, you can work without interruption and make the most of your time.

 

5. Study Other Writers

Besides reading other writers and soaking in their thoughts, you can slow down and study how they put certain sentences together. For example, you could print out a blog post or article you resonate with and take a red pen to it. Look for those sentences or phrases that stand out. Study their techniques.

 

6. Utilize Outlines

You do not have to dredge up horrific memories of high school English and outlining your term paper. Instead, please keep it simple. Write out the basic plan with sections and one or two sentences describing what you want to cover in each. That’s it. Easy and Simple.

 

7. Revise, Revise, Revise

Daily writing is great. Ruthless revising is better. Remember that your first draft will not be perfect. To ensure ideas come across clearly and proper grammar and punctuation are used, determine to edit and revise your work with a stern eye for errors. You will find that the more you revise, the better writer you become as you learn from your mistakes.

 

8. Read Your Writing Out Loud

It may seem odd, but you slow down enough to catch misspellings, typos, and poor phrasing when you read aloud. If you shrink at this idea, ask a friend, co-worker, or family member to read your writing. A third party can point out things you may have missed.

 

9. Brush Up on the Basics

Most of us probably hated grammar in school. However, excellent writing depends on good grammar skills. It is a good idea to brush up on capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Review sentence structures and learn to use concise language. Poor grammar can distract your readers instead of making your writing stand out.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Choose a time of day that works best for writing and schedule it on your calendar. By making an appointment with yourself, you are sending your brain signals that this is important.

 

b) Pick a book and dedicate 10-20 minutes a day to reading. The goal is to broaden your horizons with great literature and other pieces that stretch you.

 

c) Do the work. Gathering ideas is good, but putting them into practice is better. So, grab your computer or go old school with pen and paper and get to writing.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Copywriter's Handbook

https://amzn.to/3HFMQ5J

2. Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

https://amzn.to/3HAdn4r

3. Build Better Characters

https://amzn.to/3tG5ODG

4. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t

https://amzn.to/3O3wXIK

5. Writers Read Better

https://amzn.to/3QnR9qp