Time management - little changes

So you have been working for awhile and you feel tired, but you want to get just one more thing done... you want to read one more chapter or write just a few more pages... you get the idea.

Try changing something little in your environment. Move to a different part of the room, apartment, or house. Move to a chair that feels different (though not too comfy!) or to different light.

My experience is that these little changes in work environment wake me up a little bit, give me just enough energy to finish one more task.

Thoughts? What have others done to extend those work sessions even a little bit?

Cheering you on in your work!

Harriet

Writing Tips - eliminating wordiness

Clear, concise writing... that is the goal. Check out this article from the University of Texas at Austin:

Eliminating Wordiness

Also, see the earlier post on muscular verbs, for related help:

Muscular Verbs

Happy writing!

Harriet

Group work strategy - constructive criticism

Hi All,

Many of you are involved in group projects. The following article will help you to develop your skills re: offering constructive criticism. The article also includes good advice regarding how to be more thoughtful in the process.

Constructive Criticism

Be well,

Harriet

This academic journey...

Hi Friends,

I'm encouraging you to stop and reflect a bit... is this academic journey what you expected?

What is more difficult than you anticipated? Is anything easier?

Are you growing in the ways that you had hoped?

Have your goals changed since you began your studies?

What have you learned about yourself that you didn't anticipate?

Post here if you would like to share... the encouragement lounge community would love to hear from you!

be well,

Harriet

Saturday morning video - Joe Cool!

Hi All,

Well, here in Pittsburgh, we have more than a foot of snow this morning! Wherever you are, stay warm, be safe, and good luck with the work!

Today's cartoon:

Joe Cool

Be well!

Harriet

Healthy goal setting vs. perfectionism

Hi All,

Do you engage in healthy goal setting or are you a perfectionist? Review this brief handout and reflect:

goal setting and perfectionism

Be well!

Harriet

The magic of feedback

Last night in class, the energy was a bit low. This made sense, students had just handed in their biggest paper of the course, and the room was warm, and so on....

I was also teaching a particular lesson differently than I had before, and I wondered if the material was at all confusing or uninteresting, so I asked for feedback at the break.

One student spoke with me and told me that the connection between the first part of the session and the second part of the session (both chunks we had worked through before the break), that the connection was still unclear.

So I explained it again after break.

In the meantime, I continued thinking about that feedback last night and this morning, and have decided to frame the lesson differently this evening when I teach one more section of the class.

The new framework makes more sense, I believe. And I would not have evolved in my thinking without that student's feedback.

Once again -- value the feedback, it's good stuff.

Have a good day,

Harriet