Run Your Race

Run your race.  These are words I often say...sometimes to others, mostly to myself.  This phrase keeps me focused on the task at hand.  It doesn't have to be a race, just any task in life.  It simply means:

Don't worry about what other people are doing.
Don't let other things distract you.
Stay focused.

The end result is up to you.  Why worry about what someone else is doing?  Perhaps they are taller, stronger, faster.  Big deal!  Use your strengths to achieve your goal.  You may not accomplish your goal as fast as someone else.  Who cares?  Maybe your goal is to complete the task.  Then later, you can work on speed.  Bottom line, worrying about what others are doing or falling victim to distractions will only slow you down and perhaps prevent you from reaching your goal.  In daily tasks and life, you have run your race.  No one else will do it for you.

Public Speaking

I am an introvert; I tend to shy away from crowds...normally.  Yet, I crave the spotlight.  Weird, huh? Most people dislike public speaking and I am no exception.  I can and I will do public speaking but I usually only do it when I really have to.  I get nervous; my voice my lack confidence.  My eyes may dart from side to side as I avoid eye contact.  I would never say I'm a great public speaker.  My speech skills my change from day to day.  But there are times when I'm focused and...my voice is calm and confident and I give good eye contact to the audience.  It's not that I'm less introverted in that moment but more that I am welcoming the challenge.  It's still an uncomfortable situation but I'm not allowing myself to back down.  After all, what's the worst that could happen?  Embarrassment...I think I could live with that.

Take a Deep Breath

Sometimes I can be too focused.  I'm sure somebody can relate to this.  Before I finish one goal, I'm already looking at or working on my next goal or two.  It's fine to be focused, but you have to take some time between goals...even if it's only a moment.  A brief moment to take a deep breath and enjoy the sense of accomplishment.  A brief moment to release all the stress this goal created.  A moment to recharge your batteries for the next task.  Some people are so focused, it's difficult for them to allow themselves this moment.  You need it!  You deserve it!  It will make you stronger for your next goal.  Go ahead...breathe.

Stay Focused

It's a beautiful day outside; the sun is shining brightly.  It could be a great day to go to the beach.  But that's not currently in my plans.  Today is a homework day for me.  I will spend most of my day trying to do my homework...with emphasis on trying.  I love technology.  It keeps us entertained but when I have homework to complete, it is the worst thing.  It's good that I can use my laptop to complete my work and it's good I can go to the Internet to research topics.  It's not good that I would rather be watching movies on my AppleTV (Support Apple!) or Netflix.  Should I even mention Netflix with so many people being upset with Netflix?  Regardless, I will mention them.  I'm not upset with them but that's because I've never used the DVD ordering side of Netflix.  Overall, technology is great but it can make us waist time so like everything else, it's good in moderation.  We must stay focused and continue working towards our goals.  Right now, my focus is on completing my degree so it's back to the daily grind...homework time!

MultitasKing

We live in a world where we rely on multitasking.  We multitask and the devices we use have to multitask.  Now, just because we multitask doesn't mean that we are good at it.  Often men have a hard time multitasking.  Of course there are exceptions, but women are usually better at multitasking.  Personally, I'm not good at multitasking.  I will admit it.  I can do multiple tasks in a time period but not simultaneously.  Things move smoother for me when I devote an amount of time to focus on one thing...then a certain amount of time for the next item...and so on.  This works to give the illusion that I am a multitasker because it seems like I am working on all these things in an hour.  I am working multiple items, just not simultaneously.  I have tried to truly multitask but it just does not work for me.  If I'm working on something and someone is talking to me.  During this time period, there are times when I'm missing parts of the discussion and other times where I'm losing my place on what I'm working on.  This means that it is about prioritizing in the moment.  At any given time, I'm deciding which is more important.  The conversation and my work may be equally important but some parts of the conversation may be extra or repetitive.  During this part, I would focus on work but if I hear words that trigger me to pay attention, then I would focus back to the conversation.  In summary, some people can truly multitask and I admire them for it.  If you struggle to multitask, then do multiple tasks in a sequence to create the illusion.