There’s a lot to be said about improving one’s life. Whether it is in education—our book How to Be a Better Student can help—or moving to a different station in life—our To-Do List Journal can also help—our products are here for you.
Change. It is an attainable goal. How to Be a Better Student gives sound advice and instruction to help you achieve scholastic improvement. Our To-Do List Journal allows you to act on proactiveness. This website offers tips and strategies that will allow you to unleash your potential and explore your inner self, going into the deep recesses of your mind to help you achieve improvement. Most people do not search within themselves for answers because of the busyness and noise in life. We often never stop to check on ourselves and take stock of where we are mentally, emotionally, financially, and even spiritually. Let’s explore how to make change attainable.
Quiet. In the book How to Be a Better Student, I talk about finding a quiet space. I want you to do that. This will be your activity. Find quiet. That might be in a space in your home or even in your car. Here is a fortunate situation where you don’t have far to go to get it. Make this your task. To find whatever is suitable and safe for you. Wherever it is, find it.
Field trip. Some people can’t get away from noise because they live in spaces that are not conducive to quiet, so you need to search for it. Take a field trip and find your space. Again, it needs to be quiet and safe. This site is a big supporter of libraries, and there are many different types. There are school libraries, private libraries, public libraries, state libraries, university libraries, and law libraries. Find one and be there if all else fails. There are also spaces at schools. Maybe in a study hall, or a reading lab, or even in a classroom or some other place that you can find. Maybe even somewhere outside, like a park. Just find it.
Create space. If you can, create space that will allow quiet and comfort. Maybe start with a nice, comfy chair in the corner of your home. Try to drown out the surrounding sounds. Some people may go as far as getting sound panels to dampen noise. Finding a quiet space in the home is highly recommended because it will be your go-to place that is easy to get to and won’t require travel. It is also familiar surroundings and a place that you can personalize. If you’re having a difficult time finding quiet, there are other options like noise-canceling headphones or maybe a friend’s or relative’s house. Wherever it is, let this be your oasis, your go-to place.
Manifest. Improving is growth, and quiet can help catapult you to where you want to be, where you need to be, and where you should be in life so that you can be great. In this peaceful and noiseless environment, you can now get into your mind, accessing it with peace and quiet as your background. You can manifest goals and change by wanting them and working towards them so that you are not a constant victim of hardships.
Reset. Now that you’ve found your quiet space, I want you to take a moment to be in that space for 15 minutes. No distraction, no sound, just sitting in silence. Quiet your mind. Doing this is important. It will relax you, it will calm you, and it will give you an opportunity to stop; it is like hitting the reset button. This is an experience you might need to get used to. A lot of people like distraction and busyness and not being alone. Here, I want you to be still and quiet your mind. This is the environment I want you to be in. This will then kickstart and stimulate you to push yourself into getting better, whether it’s in life, academics, parenting, or health.
How do you feel?. Was it relaxing? Did you encounter any distractions? Were you truly able to be alone and have quiet? If you were distracted or the environment was too noisy, this may not be the right place for you. Did you fall asleep? It’s ok if that happens. Your body probably needed it. I will be talking about the importance of rest in a future blog. For now, I want you to know that this is YOUR quiet spot. Whether you created it in your home or traveled to it, make it your place so that you can be there to study, write, do mindful exercises, be alone, or whatever you so desire.
To-Do Journal. Now, after your 15 minutes are up. I want you to open the to-do planner. There are two pages: one is the to-do list page, which is where you will write down what you need to do. The other page is the brainstorming section. Now, here is the magic spot. After your 15 minutes of silence, I want you to think of what you have NOT been doing that you really NEED to do. Write like crazy if you like. Whatever comes to mind. Write it down. A lot of us procrastinate, and this journal will get you out of that habit to start doing things now. What are you not doing that you should be doing? Let’s explore how to use the To-Do Journal.
Scenario. Let’s pick one task: Going to the doctor. Let’s go to the doctor. Write that down in the brainstorm section. Then write down why you haven’t gone. Are you too afraid? Let’s explore how this To-Do List Journal can help you. In the brainstorming section, write down your fear. Why are you afraid of the doctor? Maybe a scary diagnosis? Write it down. Maybe you have Googled your issues, and you just don’t want to go for fear of what the doctor might tell you. Write down what is preventing you from going. If it is fear of the unknown, write that down. Now, do you have a support system? I talk about support in How to Be a Better Student. Get someone to go with you if you can. It is difficult facing fears. I understand.
Writing as a resolution. Write on the brainstorming page a list of people who can accompany you. Who are those people? Now, write in the to-do section the names of those people who are most reliable from your brainstorm page with a day and time to contact them. These pages feed off each other. Do you see how this works? Now you are going towards annihilating the beast of fear. You see how a major situation can be broken down into smaller pieces. This is attainable through writing. Creating baby steps will allow you to realize and conquer them. Smaller morsels are easy to digest when tackled this way. It is breaking down a gigantic problem.
Knowing. Here is something to encourage you. Medical advancements have come a long, long way. It is amazing what is happening now. So I strongly encourage you to go. Also understand that not knowing is worse than knowing. In other words, knowing is better than not knowing. Go to the doctor. You really need to go. There is a certain amount of relief you will feel when you are no longer in the dark and are trying to fix a problem. It is empowering when you take control. That pain that has persisted will finally be revealed. You will finally know what it is. Or that issue that you’ve been dealing with will finally be understood by you. No more not knowing. Go! And in today’s world with its technological and medical advancements, you will know quicker than at any point in time in history. Go. There is also a greater chance that if you are experiencing pain, it can be managed, controlled, and even eliminated with what is available in today’s world.
Power. This is the power you take back when you are proactive in what you are trying to change and improve instead of being victimized by your fear. Find support from family members, friends, advocates, and community resources. Write down the names of these people. Do your research if you are having difficulty finding people. Resources are out there. Then write that you will be on the path to knowing and doing something about your situation. That’s power! Enrich yourself and tap into your power. Write anything else that comes to mind in your brainstorming session. This is your journal. This is just an example of how to make this journal work for you.
Reward yourself. Try this. After your visit to the doctor, I want you to reward yourself for a job well done. It does not have to be immediate, but I do want you to stay encouraged. As stated earlier, medical advances and technology have done wonders for people’s health. Be encouraged. You are doing the right thing. Stay encouraged! When you find that opportunity and you feel up to it, do something enjoyable that will lift your spirits. Maybe it’s a date night or a great movie or a trip that you’ve been longing for.
Stay in support. Remember, you are doing the right thing! If you are concerned, go talk to someone and always keep communication open for what concerns you. Go to support groups, friends, or family members that can help if you have anxiety because we have all been there. Know that you are not alone! Get a support team to help you through those complicated and scary times in life. It does help. Journaling can be life-saving and life-changing. Please know that you have the power.