Juwan’s Blog

Manage your thoughts

One of the most important things I do everyday is to make sure I’m staying positive. Having a positive outlook on life can change the entire outcome of the day you have planned for yourself. From my own experience, the management of feelings and emotion is not an easy task. But, when you work on it consistently everyday it becomes second nature. Some of the techniques I use are controlling my breathing when I feel a certain way. Just by slowing down and stepping back from the situation can help combat negative emotion. Also, when I make a to-do list I take each task on individually so I don’t overwhelm myself. Taking breaks from stressful is a very important tool to help stay calm and not stress yourself. By keeping your mind in a stressful state for too long you become less productive than when yous started. Productiveness is essential to success in the workplace and organizing your thoughts is at the core of that success. In previous job I worked at Walmart in the produce section. When we had to refill the floor, I would go around the floor and make a mental list of what needs to be filled. Once that was done I would write it down and take my time fill the floor without the unnecessary stress of not being prepared. Without the control of the mind, you cannot be balanced in life and work. By practicing taking charge of the thoughts you have, the attempt of having a work-life balance will be more attainable.

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Prioritizing your time

As a student living in a hectic world, managing your time is crucial to your success. For most tasks during the day I allocate a certain amount time for that task to be completed. If the task is not completed, I leave it for the end of the day for when I have time to finish it. Focusing to much time on one thing can ultimately make the day less productive and put you behind schedule on a daily basis. One of the worst things that you can do is wake-up without a plan for the day(Rampton, 2018). Not being organized when starting the day can throw off your to-do list and tasks will not be completed. In my case, I create a task page in my phone every morning highlighting my tasks that need to be completed . Through my utilization of a to-do list, my days are organized and productive. Moving from one task to another is good but, it is not always an accurate depiction of how your day will transpire. Having a buffer time between tasks can supplement for unexpected distractions throughout your day. For example, I give myself 15 minutes between a task as a buffer. Especially on the weekends when I’m very busy I use the buffer at grocery store because of longer wait times at the checkouts. Sometimes I will immerse myself in one task to make it perfect and it conflicts with the schedule I follow daily. A rule I practice is to do your best during the time allotted and move to the next task. I wont finish every task perfectly but if I put one hundred percent into it with the time given I can come back to the task relieved and satisfied.

Below is a link to a survey on time management

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnrampton/2018/05/01/manipulate-time-with-these-powerful-20-time-management-tips/#27e19a3457ab

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwicto_HlKXnAhXWlHIEHUaWDxwQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F857513585275908602%2F&psig=AOvVaw3KuYLoC985AG83wp1GGq6c&ust=1580261924292570

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There is no perfect work-life balance

Post author By Juwan Matthews
Post date February 17, 2020
No Comments on There is no perfect work-life balance

“It is important to remain fluid and constantly assess where you are [versus] your goals and priorities,” said Heather Monahan, founder of the career mentoring group, #BossinHeels. Don’t strive for the perfect schedule; strive for a realistic one. Some days, you might focus more on work, while others you might have more time and energy to pursue your hobbies or spend time with your loved ones. Balance is achieved over time, not each day. From experience, having the perfect schedule rarely happens. I make a realistic plan to complete and it changes due to the demand of the day. Being realistic with yourself helps you plan your day as well. If you add a lot of tasks to your day and you know you aren’t productive enough to do it than make it easier. On the weekend I pile up my tasks because I know I can complete them. Evaluating my current life situation always helps me be honest with myself. To reiterate, almost everyday I review my life on a daily basis so I stay honest with myself. Pay attention to where you’re losing time. Look over your notes again and ask yourself if any consistent time-wasters appear. If an activity is unnecessary, doesn’t enrich your life, and doesn’t move you closer to your goals, it’s probably a time-waster. Think about how you can cut back on these activities or get rid of them completely. Having a good understanding of yourself drastically improves your life daily. By being honest, you days will flow smoothly and your time away from work will be more enjoyable.

Refrences

https://www.wikihow.com/Schedule-Your-Life

Link to a self assessment survey

https://www.projecttimes.com/images/batimes/pdfs/SelfAssessingYourWorkLifeBalance.pdf

Relax & Rejuvenate

Manage your Sleep

You have read successful people’s lifestyle, you have seen them transform. But one key aspect of their lifestyle not many people notice is that they master the skill of “sleeping”. For many, going to bed before midnight and waking up before 7 is a real challenge.

This is because of poor sleep management skills. As a matter of fact, statistics by Canada shows that 43% of men and 55% of women face trouble in falling asleep at night. Poor sleeping routine is one of the most common things in your lifestyle today. I, like many of you, battle the same challenge every night. Between my hectic academic and work schedule I constantly find myself out of sleep. But why is sleep that important? A good night’s sleep makes you feel energized, almost as if you are re-born. It is really important to give rest to your mind. But the real task is how are we going to do that? I firmly believe whenever you feel exhausted and cannot concentrate go to sleep. You might be able to finish that task in less time efficiently once you are up. I have started to develop a proper routine in life.

Try and develop the same body routine everyday as it sets internal body clock and helps optimize the quality of sleep. Adding to this, try and avoid sleeping extra on the weekends. Yes, it is a good excuse to sleep extra on weekends to cover it, but it ruins your routine in life. Napping is one important skill to develop. It is not important to know how to take a nap, it is important to know when to!! You must know the limit of nap when sleeping in afternoon. Well, I believe healthy routine is important to a healthy lifestyle. And a healthy lifestyle is a balanced life.

Take this Survey!

Sources: https://www.dummies.com/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/five-shocking-facts-about-canadians-sleep-habits-1.3598273

Healthy Work Life

Learn to say “No”

Famous Steve jobs once said, “It’s only by saying no that you can really concentrate the things that are really important”. I was always raised with the skill of never to say no to anything. From someone asking me to cover their shifts, to helping them after the work hours. I have always found myself getting into trouble because of this. I find myself exhausted, over stressed a lot many times. Yes, it is wonderful skill to possess, but could lead to situations you wished you weren’t part off. Overtime, it leads to one feeling under-appreciated and under-paid at work as well.

As I grew up, I developed habits to help myself get over this. First and foremost, I think thoroughly before committing to a task. This is important as once you commit and step back, not only it harms your image but doubts your character. Secondly, as the author Paulo Coelho quotes, “Don’t say maybe, if u want to say no.” This means to be direct and firm on your approach. This protects you from getting into future disputes. Another thing I analysed was that, realize the effects before saying yes. Agreeing to working late on weekday could affect your morning lecture and hence your overall grades. Learn the effects and analyse the pros and cons of it. This will help you prioritize about things. Weather it really deserves your valuable time or not. Last but not the least, put your needs above all. Be selfish, because not everyone you see cares about you. Remember, there’s nothing more important than a peaceful balanced life. Below is a great video with some tips on how to say no politely.

Take this survey

Sources:

https://images.app.goo.gl/5Jn1spwgSxwJC81F6

Food & Health

Balanced Diet for Balanced Life

Post author By Priyanshu Pandey
Post date February 16, 2020
No Comments on Balanced Diet for Balanced Life

Having a Balanced diet is tough, having a balanced life is rough. Diet is one of the key important aspect in one’s life. However, with busy lifestyle of this generation, it has become impossible to eat healthy. In fact, according to an analysis of historical data on food-spending habits by the University of Arkansas, eating out has increased from 25.9% of consumers in 1970 to a current record of 43.5%. As a matter of fact, obesity in Canada has evidently increased. Have you ever wondered why? It is because the working class ignore their health chasing money. A properly maintained healthy diet is key to success.

You have probably came across the phrase, “Sound mind develops in a sound body”. A proper nutritious diet helps to grow your thinking skills and make you more active in life. You yourself have experienced this that, after eating fast food your mood kinds of get off and you feel dizzy. On the other hand, after eating healthy food your body cells get activated and you feel better. It is very important to know what you feed your body. Especially when you are working long hours, feed yourself good food. It helps you maintain concentration. With eating the right food, you also need to assure that you eat food on the correct time. Breakfast meals are the most important one’s and yet are ignored the most. Timing is precious. After all, a cup of coffee in morning could lead to a beautiful day but could lead to sleepless night. Remember money, fame, success won’t stay till death, but your body will! Make sure you build a body to carry till you’re old.