I've recently identified one strategy that has been helping me keep up with my masters thesis research. Sometimes "breaking the seal" of a task is the hardest part for me. This is especially true with reading. If I think that I need to find the perfect focus opportunity to begin my reading it will simply never happen. Additionally, I spend a lot of time commuting bc I live in NYC and go to school in a different borough than where I live. So I've started reading on the train. This is obviously just about the worst environment you could imagine for focused attention, and its true that sometimes I simply can't manage it. But for some reason, even if I only get a few paragraphs or pages into a reading it makes it easier to dive back into it later. So its not so much that I am trying to get as much done as possible by trying to make my commute productive, rather I'm just setting myself up to be able to get back into the reading later on. Thanks for your posts, Kate!
Hi V! I'm so glad that you shared this here! "Breaking the seal" as a way to ease into a task you know you'll return to later is such a wise approach. I can imagine this is a good way to reframe those tasks that we put off because, as you said, it's not the perfect opportunity. I'm going to think of "breaking the seal" the next time I'm avoiding a task because it's not the perfect timing!
Yess yoga in Minneapolis does almost all of their classes hybrid, so you can join virtually! I moved out of Minneapolis in 2019 but still do yoga with Lucia & others there because I love them so much.
I would love that! I have actually been trying to hit their Yin classes recently, too :) Take a look at the schedule and let me know! The Monday at 6 CT/7 EST class is one I love!
Excellent advice here! I’m at the point of the semester where my grading pile is taking over, I have so many other committee responsibilities, and I’m just overwhelmed. I’ve train brain dumps, but they don’t seem to alleviate ALL THE THINGS constantly swirling in my brain. It’s exhausting.
Hi Jessie! Thank you for sharing and I bet that a LOT of my other professor readers feel you on this! Brain dumps can feel good for me to just say "phew, I won't forget it because it's on that page," but I hear you on the tool not helping to actually help forget the stress! It does sound so exhausting, and the publish/teach/service responsibilities sound like they take up a lot of brain space. I'm cheering you on and hope you get a bit of time for holiday breaks to rest!
I've recently identified one strategy that has been helping me keep up with my masters thesis research. Sometimes "breaking the seal" of a task is the hardest part for me. This is especially true with reading. If I think that I need to find the perfect focus opportunity to begin my reading it will simply never happen. Additionally, I spend a lot of time commuting bc I live in NYC and go to school in a different borough than where I live. So I've started reading on the train. This is obviously just about the worst environment you could imagine for focused attention, and its true that sometimes I simply can't manage it. But for some reason, even if I only get a few paragraphs or pages into a reading it makes it easier to dive back into it later. So its not so much that I am trying to get as much done as possible by trying to make my commute productive, rather I'm just setting myself up to be able to get back into the reading later on. Thanks for your posts, Kate!
Hi V! I'm so glad that you shared this here! "Breaking the seal" as a way to ease into a task you know you'll return to later is such a wise approach. I can imagine this is a good way to reframe those tasks that we put off because, as you said, it's not the perfect opportunity. I'm going to think of "breaking the seal" the next time I'm avoiding a task because it's not the perfect timing!
Yess yoga in Minneapolis does almost all of their classes hybrid, so you can join virtually! I moved out of Minneapolis in 2019 but still do yoga with Lucia & others there because I love them so much.
Thank you! Also it would be so fun to do a virtual yoga class together!
I would love that! I have actually been trying to hit their Yin classes recently, too :) Take a look at the schedule and let me know! The Monday at 6 CT/7 EST class is one I love!
https://www.yessyogastudio.com
Excellent advice here! I’m at the point of the semester where my grading pile is taking over, I have so many other committee responsibilities, and I’m just overwhelmed. I’ve train brain dumps, but they don’t seem to alleviate ALL THE THINGS constantly swirling in my brain. It’s exhausting.
Hi Jessie! Thank you for sharing and I bet that a LOT of my other professor readers feel you on this! Brain dumps can feel good for me to just say "phew, I won't forget it because it's on that page," but I hear you on the tool not helping to actually help forget the stress! It does sound so exhausting, and the publish/teach/service responsibilities sound like they take up a lot of brain space. I'm cheering you on and hope you get a bit of time for holiday breaks to rest!