Acting with Intent

It has become more and more apparent to me that it is extremely easy to act mindlessly and do certain things simply because it is easy and takes minimal effort. People turn into mindless beings that work their 9-5 job, go home, eat, sleep and repeat. Why is that? Where has the excitement gone? Where is the individualism, the effort, the passion? Why do we get into a routine as an adult and struggle to find our way out of it?

Do you remember being a kid? Do you have any idea what it was like to do things because you wanted to do them? Now, granted a lot of times as a kid we had to do things because we were told to do so. When I watch my daughter experience things, it is like her whole world grows a little bigger. Her eyes widen and she has the expression of pure excitement on her face. When does that go away? When are we told or taught to stop experiencing things for the first time? I wish I knew that answer.

As adults, we become numb and blind to the amazing opportunities around us. We ignore the energy, and the lure of being excited and actually acting with intent. We switch from passionate sponges to hardened robots. I have been thinking a lot about how to break this cycle lately and I have come up with a few things to develop the habit of taking action out of intent rather than routine.

First off, what do I mean by “intent”? Intent, to me, means purpose, drive, and meaning. For example, I can take the same road to work day in and day out and see the same buildings and just zone out for the entire commute, OR I can purposefully take a different route to work to see things I haven’t seen yet and discover what else may be between home and work (the two places we spend the most time). Instead of letting autopilot take over, you deliberately make a change. This change can lead to something else you would not have seen otherwise. So by saying “intent” I mean a purposeful and deliberate. Make sense?

Ok, so now that we know what having intent means, what does it actually look like? I have already given one example, but let’s dig deeper. The number one way to break up the routine is to change thought patterns. This is way easier said than done, but it is foundational to this concept. Let’s look at one specific example: a student (big surprise there, right?). As a student you have a specific routine that you follow in order to succeed. And this is important! However, it is easy to slip into certain ways of thinking that make it harder to learn rather than help. Breaking the habit of thinking “I have to…” is a process and can’t be done without replacing it with a new thought pattern, the “I want to…” thought pattern. Working with students and having been one recently has made me realize this even more so. A lot of people I work with get into this mentality that they just have to get X done because it is required. Well, yes it is, but you should WANT to do it. How does that happen?

Shaping the “I want…” thought pattern comes from discovering your WHY. This is something I have heard a lot and from a wide range of topics. Discovering your WHY is another step in the direction of this thought shift. Why do you want to take this particular course? Why do you want that degree? Why do you want to go to one school and not the other? Finding out your own reasons behind the decisions you make should be a conscious effort, not a subconscious one. Remember, be deliberate and purposeful. So, in order to change your thought patterns from “I have to…” to “I want to…” you must discover your true, personal reasons (not shallow ones!) for making a decision. You need to become your own inner toddler.

The next way to act with intent is to take the wants that you discover and figure out how to make them realities. If you find that you don’t really like the school you are at and want to study abroad, do the research to make that your reality. This step can be very thrilling and very grounding. This is where it gets fun. You get to find out what it takes to get you there. It can also be very humbling, because you may find it it going to take a lot of time and effort. Everything you do to get you where you want to be must be done with intention! And now we have come full circle.

What happens when you get there? You enjoy it and everything that comes with your success. We have all heard that hard work pays off in the end, and it absolutely does. I love seeing the students I work with reach their graduation! They have such a sense of accomplishment and can say “I did this because I WANTED this!” It is a beautiful thing. Keep in mind, that some successes are small, and yet still significant. If you are doing things with your own intention, they will seem much greater and much more exciting.

Start with baby steps. In the morning, start thinking about your daily routine and how you can act with more intention. You don’t have to eat the same thing for breakfast every morning. Instead of listening to the same radio station, listen to a podcast about that one thing you always wanted to learn about. Start thinking about things differently and make more conscious decisions, however small they may be.

There are countless ways to act with intent, and I really hope you start putting this into practice into your daily lives. Changing my thought patterns and discovering my WHY has lead to a much more enriched and full life. I am finding that I experience things to a much greater extent. It is like taking off blinders I have worn for to long! It is a great time to be alive if we take the opportunities.

Why You Need to Learn a New Language

One afternoon I was studying for a couple of exams and I was getting a little frustrated and had to step away from the books. I was on my phone scrolling through some social media platform and I came across an ad for Duolingo, a language learning app. It piqued my interest and I wanted an excuse to stop studying for a while. So I downloaded the free app and got right to it. I will get more into the app itself in a bit, but for now just know that I have not been able to put it down! I chose to learn Norwegian, because Vikings are cool. Since I started, the amount of time I waste scrolling through mind numbing social media posts has drastically decreased. I love learning the language and have gone all in at this point!

There are several benefits to learning a new language. A lot of them have nothing to do with the language itself. The first big one I noticed was my ability to memorize and retain more information quicker. Studying was always a struggle for me, and still is. Working on learning a new language exercises those brain muscles though! I have been able to recall more information much more quickly than I was before which helps me both in my studies and in my job.

It also pushes your mental limits. One of the biggest reasons toddlers go through the terrible twos is because they are trying to learn to communicate in a way they have never had to before. Learning something completely new is a challenge. It is not something you can just pick up. After my first lesson in Duolingo, I could not by any means read or write in Norwegian. I still can’t all that well! The point is, it is a process that stretches your limits. It turns something that you cannot do into something you are doing. That doesn’t happen overnight. Going through that process is a challenge that leaves you feeling more and more accomplished each day.

This process increases your brain elasticity. Your brain is a muscle and just like any other muscle in your body, you need to use it to keep it in shape. It is easy to get caught up in the monotonous routine you have created for yourself. This breaks that routine and forces you to think about something differently than you did before. This is a valuable and marketable skill. On this same note, trading social media, YouTube, etc., for Duolingo has decreased my “time-wasters.” These things are not inherently bad, but they have taken our culture captive. Taking a step away from those things has really helped me stay productive.

So, what is Duolingo? Duolingo is a free language learning tool for both mobile devices and desktops. It is divided into different lessons that have levels built within them. Each lesson has five levels. Once you complete the fifth level, you max out that lesson. There are also practice lessons you can go back to and use to review terms and grammar. Essentially, it is built like a mobile game that makes the experience extremely enjoyable! There are leaderboards within it as well as experience points you can earn when you complete lessons. This was the first tool I used to dive into learning Norwegian.

From Duolingo, I discovered a Discord server for people who are working through Norwegian on Duolingo as well. There are people of all levels on the server as well as native speakers. It is a great tool and a great community! They even put on their own voice lessons. Through the Discord server, I discovered a book that has helped me advance my learning even more. The book is called the Mystery of Nils. It goes much more in depth into grammar than Duolingo does, but they compliment each other quite nicely.

So, why learn a new language? Especially if you don’t plan on travelling. Do you want to improve your memory and recall information quicker and more accurately? Well, learning a new language is based on memorization so it helps you build that skill. Do you want to meet new people and expand your circle of acquaintances? Learning a new language is bound to do that! Most importantly, do you want to have a renewed sense of accomplishment? Learning something brand new will be difficult but the thrill of accomplishing something like that is well worth it! I promise. So, go ahead, and learn something new!

Being Professional in 2019

Today’s working world is a complex and confusing one. In a world where freedom is cherished and individuality encouraged, knowing how to be a successful professional can be difficult. Believe it or not, there are still some unspoken standards even in 2019. They may be a little bit different than they were ten years ago, but they do still exist. A lot of employers still look at certain things in a work environment. What are those hidden things that make someone more professional? Even though fashion and culture changes, there are still areas that are timeless and still hold value in the working world. There are three areas that you can focus on to become a better professional: attire, mentality, and talk. Now, there may be more, but these are the foundation of becoming successful in a career.

Professional attire is an important aspect because it effects your first impression. This is especially significant when interviewing. There is an art to looking professional. Some things are simply timeless and can make a great first impression. For women, proper coverage is a must. You can look great without showing too much. Today, sexual harassment is a big issue in the workplace. If you are showing off too much, that might stand out to them negatively. The same goes for wearing clothes that are far too tight. This can be another red flag. Again, you can look good and professional, just be careful. Have class and leave the weekend outfit at home. Men have it a little easier in this aspect, however they still need to dress appropriately for the job. If your dress code is jeans and a polo, make sure you wear clean and wrinkle free clothes! If you must wear a suit and tie, make sure things match. Wearing clothes that clash can be seen negatively no matter where you work. You want to look like you care about your appearance, and the job you do. Stay classy.

What you wear says a lot about your personality. It can be fun to personalize what you wear; just remember the impression you want to give off. If you want to be a professional, you must look the part. First impressions are a big deal in the business world, and it can be very difficult to undo a bad one. You don’t want to reveal too much about yourself at once. Leaving some room for mystery is a good thing. It allows for conversation. One last thing about attire – know the context. You will dress differently for different occasions. Know what you are getting into and what is expected. Knowing your audience will give you insight on how to dress.

Let’s move on to mentality. Having a professional mentality will set you apart. Going into your career with the right attitude will help you meet your goals. If you go in to work everyday with a poor attitude, that is going to show and rub off on your coworkers. Displaying negativity will not get you anywhere! The same goes for laziness. If you want to be successful in what you are doing, you have you be self-motivated. No one will do your work for you. Do the work and reap the rewards. It’s worth it. Laziness kills your career. Complacency makes you stagnant which kills your goals. Don’t let yourself sink into this mentality! It will destroy you. Even more so, it will hurt those around you. Your mentality will affect other people’s as well.

Having a positive attitude doesn’t mean being the office sunflower. You don’t have to be something you’re not. It simply starts with your own self talk. If you don’t like where you are, make goals to go somewhere else. Tell yourself “I CAN” and “I WILL” rather than letting negative thoughts float around unchecked. You can control your attitude! Grasping the concept of self-talk will empower you more than you know. Remember this: if you think positively, you will act positively.

Lastly, lets cover professional talk. By talk, I not only mean office conversations by the coffee pot, I also mean the conversations you have with superiors and how you conduct yourself. This goes together with your attire and your mentality. Professional talk is the culmination of everything else. It is the output. When thinking about talking professionally, consider what people want to hear about. Your superior doesn’t want to hear through the office grapevine what you did last weekend. Keep your conversations productive! If it doesn’t help you reach your goals, don’t bring it up. Your job is your job for a reason. Your home life is separate. Now, you don’t have to be completely isolated. You can have good conversations without going too far. Know the balance between pleasantries and too much information! This might be the number one problem social media has created. The divide between personal life and professional life has become blurred because everyone always has access to everyone. You can be different. You don’t have to follow that pattern.

Sexual harassment was brought up earlier, and I want to review that again. Since the #MeToo movement, sexual harassment has become a major concern for employers. People have to be very careful in the way they talk at work. What is funny to you may not be for someone else and that could come back to haunt you or even cost you a career. Be careful with what you say to people in the workplace. Not everyone has the same morals and background and could take offense to something you mention. I am not here to say what is sexual harassment and what isn’t. All I want to make sure I make clear is that anything you say in the workplace can be used against you. Don’t give them anything to use!

Professional culture is a moving breathing thing. It changes and adapts with the world around it. It is important to keep up with what is valued in a career environment. While you should never change your values for superficial reasons, you should be aware of what is going on around you. Being a professional in today’s world is challenging. There are new demands, new policies, and ever-changing opinions. If you look the part and dress for your own success, check your own mentality and talk the talk, you will meet your goals. It is possible to succeed, and it is simple. Work hard, look your best and speak with purpose.

Curiosity Saved the Cat

Intellectual curiosity is something that can be misconstrued and even portrayed as dangerous. People who take risks and challenge “normal” ways of thinking are considered outcasts. Curiosity is defined as a strong desire to know or learn something. It is learning for the sake of learning. It can take many different forms and looks different for everyone. For the creative type, it can look like different art mediums and creations. For the scientific type, it can be researching new technologies and innovations. It is not, however dangerous or negative. The curious ones are not the enemies of society. They are the driving force of society. Without people who have the desire to learn, our culture will never evolve. It will never change. If everyone stayed within the boundaries they were given, there would be no growth.

Actively allowing yourself to become intellectually curious gives you the ability to see the world differently. Stepping outside of your comfort zone allows you adapt and explore the world around you. Curious people are the ones who not only appreciate things for what they are but want to know why they are that way. Ever been asked by a child “why is the sky blue?” Take notes from the young! When you are hungry for knowledge, you begin to understand how things work. Expanding your view of the world gives your mind so much more room to think creatively and deeply. It allows you to not only look inward, but outward as well! It is always good to look at yourself and your own emotions but, that is only one side of the triangle. That is your EQ, or emotional quotient. There is the most commonly talked about IQ, and then there is curiosity. Having balanced emotions, a strong intellect and a desire to learn makes you unstoppable! The only one you truly have to fight is yourself.

We have all heard the phrase curiosity killed the cat, right? We were told that as a kid to kill curiosity and to hinder the natural process of free thinking. When I was in high school, my school had an opportunity to go to England, Ireland and Wales for the summer. Well, naturally I wanted to go because I was definitely a curious kid. Well, I was told if I wanted it, I had to earn it. So…I got my first job and did a lot of babysitting. I came up with ways to get what I needed in order to go. And sure, enough I went. Turns out that trip changed my whole view on the world. I had many people tell me along the way that it wasn’t worth it, or I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but my curiosity came out on top. That trip was the first time I really challenged my own view of the world. Standing by gravestones that were older than my own country really made me feel small. Some may run and hide from that feeling, but that was an incredibly freeing experience for me! I would say curiosity saves the cat. What I learned empowered me.

If knowledge is power, how do you think you get that knowledge? You can’t learn through osmosis. You have to seek it out. You must make the effort to learn for the sake of learning. The more knowledge you gain, the more your network grows. The more your network grows, the more influence you have. Let us look at two examples: Bill and Joe. Bill is a go-getter that takes advantage of every work conference and continuing education course he can get in to. He is always meeting new people at these events and growing his network. Eventually, he meets people and they have mutual acquaintances. He becomes someone who knows someone, and the cycle continues. His influence is significant! His desire to learn helped him grow. Then there is Joe who has a small circle of acquaintances and rarely is seen at events or conferences. He seems to do the bare minimum. While he is good at his job and has a content life, his influence is nowhere near the same as Bill’s. His intellectual curiosity is not a priority. He chooses to remain unseen. Neither one of these scenarios are good or bad, they are simply different. One thing to point out though – if you do not want to grow where you are, perhaps you are not in the right place. You should want to thrive, not just survive. Where do you want to be?

When you make goals, they often require some amount of risk. Risk is typically seen as a negative thing and is to be avoided. However, successful people do not climb the ladder by being careful. They push boundaries and they challenge the status quo. Many people in today’s culture are afraid of what is outside the norm. People who dress differently, act differently or think differently are often cast out. The best example I can think of to demonstrate this is the movie the Dead Poet Society. If you have not seen the movie, it is about a group of high school boys who attend a prestigious preparatory school. They have one teacher that challenges them to think for themselves and it turns into quite the controversy. For some, it even ends tragically. While it is a movie and possibly exaggerated, I would argue that it is not so far off. Thinking outside of the box is not as accepted as it could be. Children especially should be taught to think for themselves.

Being different is okay. In fact, it is beneficial! It is healthy. You should absolutely question everything even it means taking a risk. Proper risks yield results. Upsetting the status quo is sometimes exactly what you need to do to avoid becoming stagnant. Complacency fosters laziness. Your life should be more than the four walls around you. You are not meant to be a pond of still water. You are meant to be an ocean! Think about what you really want, and take the risks to get you there. Foster your curiosity. Discover something new! Think outside the box.

Intellectual curiosity is what separates the normal from the passionate. It is learning for the sake of learning. Catering to your curiosity will allow you broaden the way you see yourself, those around you, and the world. Taking opportunities that encourage curiosity will expand your network and grow your influence. You will be able to genuinely impact those around you. Letting yourself be curious and take risks will give you the courage you need to rock the boat! Who knows? Maybe you will be an example for someone else.

Character Development

According to the dictionary, “character” means the “mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual” or “strength and originality in a person’s nature.” These definitions only scratch the surface of what the concept of character means. It is a vast idea and covers the span of a human life! The general idea we have of someone’s character is their personality or even their reputation. A lot of times we view character as either positive or negative. Someone who is a good citizen and pays their taxes has good character. Someone who operates outside the bounds of “normal” has poor character. To me, it goes much deeper than what we observe from the outside. Character is a living organism just as we are. It changes as we adapt.

The process of developing character is a life long one. Our character changes as we enter different stages of life. When we are born, our character is simple. Think of it as creating a new character in a game. You have the lowest armor, lowest health, and simple gear. You have what you need to get by in life. When we are born, we have what we need to survive and that is it. Our personalities develop as we go through new experiences. Just like when we fight through obstacles in our game. We get rewards for achieving different feats. Those rewards help our character develop into something stronger. As we grow, we no longer cry for what we want, we ask for it. We learn language as well as manners. We grow and learn based on what is around us. As we learn, we transition from being an infant to a more independent child.

As we become a more unique person, our character develops even more. There is a process of pushing boundaries and exploring what is safe and what is not as well as what is acceptable and what is not. These years can seem to be the toughest when you are in them and it is because you do the most amount of growing in a short amount of time. Up until you are eighteen, you have a freedom that comes with limited responsibility. Without the stresses of living an adult life, you can glimpse what it means to be independent without having devastating consequences. Being a teenager is the first time you start building characteristics that are going to stick around. The phases you go through as a kid fade and interests become more permanent. This is when developing character is the most important.

Going back to our game character, think about the first couple of times you fail repeatedly and are forced start over. It can be truly infuriating! We do the same things as people in real life too. We fail, we learn, and we retry. This happens a lot in the transition from being an angsty teenager to a responsible adult. The kind of character you have built in the first eighteen years of your life will drastically affect how you deal with the times that you do fail. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the character we develop in ourselves. The foundation that we build will make our true character show. If you don’t have a solid foundation, pitfalls will hurt and cause more damage than if you have a strong one. That being said, becoming an adult is just the beginning. The more responsibility you take on, the more weight you add to your foundation. Developing strong and confident character does not stop when you become an adult. It is something you must continually work to strengthen.

As I mentioned earlier, character is a living organism. It changes and it grows. How it grows is up to you. If you take away one concept from this, I want it to be this: it is ok to change. People get caught up in being a certain way and that hinders change to happen. Development is change. It is growth. And growing character must include change. Now, there is a difference between changing for the sake of your own character development and changing to fit in with everyone else. I call these types of people chameleons. Trying to change aspects of yourself and your character for the sake of others will only lead you to frustration. Don’t be a chameleon. Rather, don’t be afraid to make changes to your life for your own benefit. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Making big decisions should not be taken lightly, but it should at least be an option. Adapt and change for the right reasons.

One good way to tell if your reasons are “right” or not is to look at change directionally. Constructive character development should always lead you vertically rather than horizontally. This isn’t necessarily black and white but let me explain. If you are facing a change, let’s use a job change for this example, you can look at it in several ways. For this, there would be financial changes as well as other changes. If you have a job that pays well but does not allow time for family or hobbies that you enjoy, would taking a job with less pay but more personal benefits be a vertical change or a horizontal change? If you are increasing your well-being and the pros outweigh the cons, I would argue that taking that pay cut would be beneficial. Making that difficult decision also adds to your character development. All those tricky situations increase your ability to think critically and see the bigger picture. You are leveling up your character one fight at a time. Always move vertically.

I leave you with some parting thoughts. Think about your life so far. Every decision you have made has led you to where you are. Every struggle and every heartache have developed your character. How have you grown and changed over the years? Have you made more horizontal changes than vertical? How has this character development impacted the people you love and care about? Reflect on your story. Is there anything you want to change moving forward? Can you recognize your own character flaws? If so, what will it take to continue vertically? Think about these as you work on developing your own character, and remember: character development calls for a life of vertical change.

The Art of Saying “No”

Are you or do you know anyone who is a “yes man”? What do you think their life looks like? I mean their real life. Not the one that they broadcast on social media. I would venture to say that most people who say yes to every opportunity that they come across are very exhausted people. It is easy to feel pulled into exciting experiences; however successful people often know how to say no to the “extras” that can often be a distraction. Packing on too much leads to burnout – something everyone faces at some point in their life. Burnout looks different for everyone. For some, it can be physically harmful habits others can be more difficult to spot. It is important to recognize when your limits have been reached.

There is a fine line between too little and too much. Monotony can be hard to beat, and it is the opposite of burnout. Living the same routine day in and day out can be just as mentally exhausting as taking on too much. Taking advantage of new opportunities is crucial to a fresh mind and balanced life. Challenges are a wonderful way to learn about yourself and others! Opportunities are many and you simply must figure out what your goals are and pick those opportunities that align with your goals.

Getting out of your comfort zone is a cathartic way to grow and learn your own strengths and weaknesses. Stepping out and making yourself vulnerable is terrifying and when done constructively can be freeing. Vulnerability must be handled carefully and with those you trust. Building those types of relationships takes time and should not be handled lightly. However, getting out of your comfort zone and building those relationships and experiences will not only lead you a fulfilling life, but it will break the monotony.

The other side of this coin is taking on too many opportunities. Being a “yes man” is not a bad thing but taking on too many tasks and responsibilities takes away time and energy from the most important ones. Experiencing new things and meeting new people can be addicting but just like any other addiction, it can be very detrimental. There can be too much of good thing. Recognizing the signs of over stepping your limits is crucial to your mental and physical health. Again, these signs can all look different. For some, it can be pure exhaustion. For others, it can be way worse. The first thing you need to do is always listen to those closest to you. Relationships that help you stay afloat are the ones you need to trust. People tend to notice bad habits in others before they notice it in themselves. Listen to those who love you.

It can be hard to say no to people because it feels like you are letting them down, or not committing to something. There is a difference between saying no because it is the best option for you and backing out of a commitment already made. If someone looks down on you for denying an opportunity because it is not in your best interest, remember that you are own advocate and you have every right to your body and your mind. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Always be honest with yourself and others. Rather than saying no with no reason or meaning, give an honest reason. As simple as it sounds, it is not always the easiest way. It is a skill you have to develop.

There is a power in the ability to say no when necessary. With any kind of power, it takes time to develop and practice. When you develop this skill, you reach a level of self-awareness that can be truly freeing. It takes practice. To start, you need to figure out what is important to you. If time with your family is a priority for you, don’t pick up extra volunteer shifts that take you away from that. Or, try and implement family time into that volunteer work. If your college education is a priority, don’t take on too many extracurricular activities that deter you from studying. The list of examples goes on and on. You can’t know what to say no to if you don’t dig deep into what is truly important to you. Build from the ground up and it will become more and more clear as time goes on. One thing to keep in mind as well is that priorities can change. Don’t subject yourself to a set-in stone plan if you find out that the plan is not what you really want for yourself. Becoming in tune with your values is a practice and there is not exact formula that will tell you what your goals are. Your life is fluid and can change as it ebbs and flows. Watch for those movements and pay attention to how you react. This self-awareness will not only enrich your life, but the lives of those around you. People will catch on and want to be around you. You will find that your relationships will grow as you do.

Always being a “yes man” leads to burn out and turns in to everyone’s go to person. It is exhausting and even confusing. It is easier than you may think to get to this point. Watch for warning signs that you are getting burnt out. Listen to those around you. Recognizing your own limits leads to self-awareness and energy. It is freeing to be able to reach your goals by focusing on what is truly important by eliminating distractions. This self-awareness leads to a rich life with focus and purpose, and not just yours. Living with the ability to say no to the wrong opportunities will lead you to the right ones, and that will get you to your goal.

Mindfulness – What Does it Mean?

Today’s society is one that is focused on everything outward. Everyone spends their time learning about what other people are doing and how they live their lives. Social media is the baby of this way of thinking. People post what they want other people to see. They base their own success on what kind of responses they get. It is a vicious cycle that only leads to living an empty life. What is the alternative to this? Focusing inward – being mindful. This is a word that is tossed around in today’s culture but not a lot is said about what it is in its simplest form.

To be mindful is to pay attention. Namely, to pay attention to yourself. Move your attention from everyone else and what they want to yourself and what you want. You can even focus on why you want certain things. A website, www.minful.org gives us eight things to know about mindfulness:

Mindfulness is not obscure or exotic.
Mindfulness is not a special added thing we do.
You don’t need to change.
Mindfulness has the potential to become a transformative social phenomenon.
It’s a way of living.
Anyone can do it.
Its evidence based.
It sparks innovations.

These are a great start to figuring out what this concept means. Let’s dig into each one. First, mindfulness is not obscure or exotic. It is something that everyone does, and it can look a little bit different for each person. Whether it is realized or not, mindfulness is a part of everyone’s life. Some chose to ignore it, some fight it and some embrace it. Looking inward can be difficult, but it is unavoidable. It can be portrayed as an exotic practice and a deeply spiritual experience, but that is not always the case. As mentioned earlier, it is simply paying attention.

Mindfulness is not an added thing we do. Everyone has the capability to live in the present. It is not a 180-degree change in personality or worldview. Simple practices can be added to your daily routine to be mindful. Incorporating these practices will help you get positive results in all aspects of your life. This does not mean you have to wear crystals around your neck and do yoga for hours a day. Instead, you simply must think about how you feel and why you may feel certain ways in different situations.

You don’t need to change. This goes hand in hand with the previous point. “Solutions that ask us to change who we are or become something we’re not have failed us over and over again.” (mindful.org) There are people that follow fad diets and lifestyles and constantly change what they are doing. There is a reason why these choices don’t stick. When you don’t know what you truly want, rash decisions won’t make any difference. Being mindful will allow you to not only NOT change but discover the root of what you want and who you are. It will allow you to face life with a clear view.

Mindfulness has the potential to become a transformative social phenomenon. This is not because of Facebook ads that may pop up on newsfeeds. Think about it – if everyone focused on their own lives and their own wants/needs instead of what everyone else thought, what would society be like? It is truly freeing to shift your origin of worth from others to yourself. This is known as self-worth which is another wonderful topic for another time! Anyone can accomplish mindfulness.

It is a way of living. It is more than an hour practice each day. It goes much deeper and affects every aspect of your life. The whole purpose of mindfulness is to cut away needless stress and be more in tune with your own thoughts and feelings. This will make your life richer and enable you to live in the present rather than worrying about the past or present. It is evidence-based. Mindfulness is not a blind faith. It is not something you simply believe without any results. “Both science and experience demonstrate its positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships.” (mindful.org) Again, it looks different for each person. What works for someone may not for others.

Finally, it sparks innovation. Paying attention to your thoughts and feelings on a deep level will lead you to effective responses to life’s difficult problems. The world is an ever changing and complex place to live. It can be taxing to be constantly waging internal battles over both big and small things. Rather than giving in to the desire to give up, mindfulness will get you the solution you need. And it is all YOU! It is not a quick-fix or self-help gimmick. It is you and your own power working through your life.

“Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not over reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” It is voodoo, magic, or intense spiritual practice. With work, anyone can be mindful and improve their own life. If everyone took the time to pay attention to themselves, we would live in a very different world.

Education: Big and Small

Imagine you are about to graduate high school. You are 18, a new independent adult and you can do anything you want with your life, within reason of course. What are your next steps? What ideas float around in your young brain? College? Which one? What degree program? How much can you afford in tuition? What about scholarships? Should you go to a private college or a state college? There are so many factors and so many questions that make this period in your life way complicated! It can be daunting. I want to dig a little deeper into just one aspect of this decision. It is something that is becoming a little more known and accepted in the world of academia.

There are so many options for young students and they may not even realize what all of them are. A lot of people often feel pressured by family to make decisions and they aren’t given the opportunity to make unbiased choices. The decisions you make right out of high school are the ones that shape your future. They are important and should not be taken lightly! Let’s shed some light on the important differences between traditional and vocational schools.

There are a handful of core differences that should be explained first. The length of the coursework is often much shorter at a technical, or vocational school. The reason for this is that they don’t focus on extra material. You are most likely attending a technical school for one specific trade. They teach you the trade and will often grant certifications that help you advance in a career in that field. Traditional schools focus on a well-rounded education. Although you are going for a specific degree program, they often have a wide scope. You also need to fulfill a significant amount credits to earn your degree. Another core difference between the two is cost. Your technical school will almost always have a lower tuition than your traditional school. This has a correlation with the length of the course. Because it is shorter and you are not receiving a degree, it costs much less. You can, however still receive scholarships and financial aid for accredited technical programs! The last core difference is the level of hands-on training you receive. In a technical school, you will gain skills in your trade by DOING your trade. Many times there are apprenticeships within the program and you can gain the experience you need to advance your career. Traditional schools have less of this due to the large student body. This also depends on your degree program as well. I am also not saying that traditional schools have NO hands-on training; they simply have less because it can be difficult to keep up with the large volumes of students.

Traditional universities have a lot to offer to their student body. A significant amount are very successful at equipping students for the work place. They have a large community and a great presence. This means that there is an abundance of volunteer opportunities, a feeling of belonging to something important, and discovering what you are passionate about. There are clubs and organizations that will get the attention of leaders and employers. Universities often have a name that comes with recognition and pride. It can potentially look very good on a resume and help you get a foot in the door of your career of choice, but potentially at a lower income because of experience level. Attending a traditional university can be an excellent choice for someone who values these things.

Not everyone thrives in that type of environment though. Big communities and large classes may be a hindrance, or a distraction. Having a small class community can be the right choice if you find that you struggle in larger groups. Now, this is not just for the introverts out there or the wallflowers. There are many outgoing people who still do better in a smaller community or class. In fact, having a smaller group can help foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with your peers. These types of connections will help you grow a professional network. Having this type of community surrounding education can be very beneficial to success. The courses vocational schools offer are much shorter which means you have less student debt and are in a career much quicker. The goal of most (not all) trade schools is to get you the skills you need as well as the experience to get hired. Apprenticeships are one way they accomplish this. Alongside the actual teaching is real-world training. I know of one HVAC company currently developing a school to help train and equip students. They are not the only ones doing this. As a need for qualified professionals rise in many industries, programs to help people get there are also coming out of the woodwork.

There are benefits to both sides of this coin. Quite honestly, it isn’t even a two-sided coin. Many people will start with one and move to the other as their interests change. One is not better than the other. They serve the same purpose, just approach the journey differently. It truly boils down to knowing what you need to succeed. Look at yourself, and your needs, and determine what fits your personal goals the best. Ask the questions and do the research. What you want to pursue may have several different options on how to get there. Determine your end goal and work backwards. You will find what you need, even if it takes a couple tries.

Introduction

“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Identity is defined as the fact of being who or what a person or thing is and the characteristics determining who or what a person is. Throughout your life, you will identify as many things. I for example can identify as a mom, a daughter, a significant other, an employee, and many others. These things make up who I am as a person. Another significant role I identify with is student, which is where the title of this blog comes from. It is a made up word that combines the idea of identity and learning. I feel like there is a lot of things that come to many people’s minds when they think of the word “student.” For young parents, they might envision their kid’s first day of kindergarten. For young adults working tirelessly on their Master’s thesis, they might see their student loan bill that rolls around every month. The word has a different meaning for everyone. It is, however, something absolutely everyone can identify as – past, present, or future.

This blog is about becoming a better student. Specifically, I work for an IT school so a lot of what I have to say will be catered to what I know – technology. However, everyone can learn how to learn better! I hope to give insight to those who want to make the most out of ANY learning experience they encounter.

I will give you a little bit of a look into my background so you can know what to expect! I was born and raised in Missouri with loving and supportive parents and one older sister. I spent my later school years at a private school where I got an amazing education! That is where I first learned to question and think freely. I graduated in 2012 and went into the Military that summer. I spent four years working in the behavioral health field in Alaska. There, I had my daughter, Iskra who just turned 5! I also met my current significant other there and followed him to Ohio after we both left the military.

After leaving the military, I worked jobs in food service and retail and got irritated with that very quickly. I wanted something better for myself and to be challenged to be better. I decided to go back to school. That was one of the best decisions I ever made! I fell in love with it. I met some amazing people, and I learned a lot. The instructors were wonderful as were my classmates. It was truly a supportive and loving atmosphere. Well, I took my IT certifications I earned from the course and landed a job working in security. It was not an easy transition. It was a very different atmosphere and I found myself wanting to be back where I was – in a learning environment. Well, I applied for a job at the school and here I am! I get to work from home and coach students on how to be better students. And I absolutely love it. Now, I want to take that experience and expand it.

I don’t expect to be a world renowned life coach, but I do want to take my knowledge and experience to possibly help others get to where they want to be. Being a student is challenging and exhausting. It is easy to give up and feel like it isn’t really worth it. I am telling you, from my home office, that it absolutely is worth it. I hope I can help you recognize that. Buckle up, it’s showtime!

Welcome to Studentity!