You deep cleaned your space only last Sunday. However, it’s been just a few days and your living space is back to its messy appearance already. You feel exasperated with yourself and your living habits. More than that, you feel demotivated. You wonder, what’s the use of cleaning ever, if all of it has to get back to its untidy state anyways?&nbsp; If the above resonates with you, then you are not alone. Your living space consists of the place where you sleep, eat, work, study, and freshen up. And the desire for constantly maintaining a clean living space is shared by many — students, working professionals, homemakers, laboratory assistants, parents to toddlers, hostellers, shopkeepers, so on and so forth. However, having a living space that always appears clean is not as complicated a task as it seems. While there are a lot of extra activities that can be done, constantly maintaining cleanliness boils down to some simple habits that integrate smoothly into your daily routine and make all the difference. Out of the various routines, there are 3 essentials that summarize the whole process. These essentials are as given below :&nbsp; <h2>Keep What You Need</h2> Human beings are no less than magpies or crows. We have an inherent fondness for collecting trinkets, often as a way to express personal interests, preserve memories, or simply for the pleasure of acquiring and arranging objects pleasurable to us.&nbsp; However, there is a sad downside to this beautiful human trait, now being exploited by the current marketing landscape. People are now bombarded with advertisements that offer products with an emphasis on immediate gratification, thus leading to self-indulgent consumerism in the form of impulse buying. The long-term effect of this is a focus on material possessions and a general dissatisfaction among people with what they have.&nbsp; A possible antidote to this is the lifestyle philosophy of minimalism.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But how will this help you in maintaining a clean living space? Minimalism promotes mindful consumption. It encourages us to prioritize quality over quantity, to make thoughtful purchasing decisions, and bring fewer items into our living spaces. This promotes a simplified and clutter-free environment. When you have less to clean and organize, it is easier to maintain a tidy space. Overall, minimalism not only results in a cleaner and more organized living space but also promotes mental clarity and a sense of peace by reducing stress and anxiety associated with clutter. <h2>Clean As You Go</h2> As a child, you must have heard it enough from your mom to put back your toys in their respective places after you are done playing with them. Now it's your turn to apply this same logic to your living habits.&nbsp; The first step is to ensure that everything being used in your living space has a home to be returned to as soon as its work is done. This “home” can be a shelf, a cupboard, some drawers, or even a hook on the wall. Places articles of daily use in convenient locations. If you are packing rarely-used articles in opaque boxes or cloth sacks or containers, then make a list of all the items within that specific container and paste it on the lid or on the box or cloth itself. This will make it quite easier for you to look for those articles later on without having to upset all other containers. Now that our foundations are ready, given below are some more steps that can be carried out under the “clean as you go” mantra. Make your bed as soon as you wake up. It takes barely 2 minutes and kick starts your day with a dose of positivity, productivity and organization.&nbsp; Put your shower and skin care products back in their respective drawers or shelves after use. Throw used clothes in the correct laundry pile instead of throwing them on the floor or the bed.&nbsp; Clean up right after breakfast, put the bottles back in their shelves, put the washed dishes back in their stands, and throw all trash in the bin instead of leaving anything on the counter. Declutter your workspace ASAP after a day’s work. Put everything back where it belongs. Plug in your devices to be charged. Keep a to-do list for the next day’s work ready. To read more about workspace optimization, read <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/workspace-optimization-productivity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this article</a>. After work outs, place your yoga mat and workout equipment back in their designated place. Handle your workout clothes as you see fit, the point being that you don’t leave them at any random place in your room. At night, make sure that every article that you used throughout the day is back in its “home” (not considering special conditions, of course). Tuck yourself in bed with the satisfaction of knowing that your living space is a blissful and clean abode for you right now. As a beginner, the above might seem quite a tedious list of tasks for you. However, I recommend you to stick to it consistently for a few weeks. Practice this mantra of putting things back where they belong once every three days initially. With time, transition to once every alternate day. From there, it won’t be long before cleaning as you go comes naturally to you. That’s all you need to form a new life-changing habit that will help you maintain a constantly clean living space.&nbsp; <h2>A Must-Have Mindset</h2> You have been hearing this since your childhood that your environment has a profound impact on your well-being and quality of life — not just your physical health but your mental and emotional well-being too.&nbsp; A clean and organized space reduces the presence of allergens, dust and germs. It reduces stress, improves focus, and promotes a sense of calm and productivity. It teaches us how to take responsibility for our living spaces, and how to be mindful with our consumption and waste. It also reflects our sense of respect for those sharing our living spaces with us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As such, cleanliness is not just a matter of aesthetics, but of health and dignity too. By valuing cleanliness, you affirm your self-worth and respect for yourself and others, creating a positive and nurturing environment in which to live. And this is why you should view cleanliness as a privilege, rather than a chore.&nbsp; You will certainly enjoy a clean living space. And you will reap many physical, mental, and emotional benefits from it too. Once a fortnight deep cleaning sessions are good, but not if it means that you will spend the rest of the days in a disorderly and demotivated state.&nbsp; So why not go ahead and make cleanliness an intentional part of your everyday routine? Start slow. Gradually, you will find yourself enjoying a consistently clean living space. All the best!&nbsp;

An article on the three most fundamental tips for continually maintaining a clean living space in your day-to-day life.

The Only 3 Tips You Need To Maintain Cleanliness In Your Living Space

Self improvement is a never-ending journey, because as individuals, we are constantly evolving, facing new challenges, and encountering opportunities for learning and change. Each achievement and setback in our life serves as a stepping stone for further growth, leading to lifelong learning and personal development.&nbsp; Following that line of thought, we can conclude that there are few singular ideas or distinct experiences that will have an instant “turning point” effect on our lives, and that these will differ widely from one individual to the other depending on their personal story.&nbsp; However, this does not mean that you have hit a wall.&nbsp; There are profound concepts in the world out there that have the power to truly change your life, albeit gradually, one day at a time. These ideas are not quick fixes or crafty life hacks. Instead, they are like seeds that you sow in the garden of your mind and water regularly, that evolve and inspire positive change for years to come. They have the power to alter perspectives, behaviors, and life paths. These ideas are the true harbingers of a personal revolution. And this series of blog articles is going to be your key to that desired self transformation. Given below is Part 1 of a list of ideas, mindset shifts, and practices that I gleaned over years of being on the self improvement journey. Overtime, these have become a way of life for me. I hope this concise list helps you with your life journey. Happy reading! <h2>Ad Meliora</h2> "Ad Meliora" is a simple Latin phrase that translates to "towards better things" or "for the pursuit of better things". Ad Meliora is our reminder that the journey of personal development has no final destination to reach, albeit it is a lifelong process. This concept encourages individuals to continuously seek opportunities for growth and find happiness in the here and now, as there is no such “perfect tomorrow” to strive for. Instead, we should focus on embracing change, learning from experiences, and having an optimistic attitude to move forward with purpose, aiming for a brighter and more fulfilling future.&nbsp; <h2>Amor Fati</h2> “Amor Fati” is a Latin phrase which stands for “love of fate”. It succinctly portrays the Stoic mindset of making the best out of every moment — no matter how challenging. To accept the fact that all events occur for a reason, and while the event itself might not be positive, what we take away from it should always be good.&nbsp; The first step to implementing this practice is to distinguish what is within our control (internal) from what we cannot control (external). The next step is to direct our efforts and emotions where they can actually influence things, that is, the internals.&nbsp; Which is to say, when bad things happen to you, you don’t blame the world, you don't blame God, you don't blame yourself or your supposed bad luck. Instead, you embrace all of it. You honor your emotions by not suppressing them, but then you ask yourself — What might we learn from this unchosen experience? How can we mold things to our advantage? How can I not only be okay with this, but also become better because of this? And that is the true power of Amor Fati. <h2>Impermanence</h2> The impermanence of all existing things is a fundamental aspect of life that shapes the way we perceive and experience the world. From quarks at subatomic level, to the grass, the trees, the sky, the earth, the sun and the moon, even galaxies — all things are subject to the passage of time. Realizing this helps us put our own small life into perspective. A lost job? A declining grade? A surge of overwhelming good luck? An unexpected good friend? A bad day at work? Everything is insignificant before the power of time. While transience can be seen as a sobering reminder of life's fragility, it also brings a sense of beauty and meaning to our experiences. It instills us with humility before the grand scheme of things, and teaches us to appreciate the present moment, to let go of attachments, and to embrace the ever-changing nature of life.&nbsp;&nbsp; Acknowledging this might give rise to feelings of emptiness, insignificance, and lack of security. However, this is where the previously discussed concepts of Amor Fati and Ad Meliora come in — if change is inevitable, then we might as well make the best of it. This is how these profound philosophical concepts enrich our understanding of life. <h2>Interesting Failures</h2> Society views failure as a discouraging or negative experience, and it teaches school-going children to do the same. With time, these children grow up into adults whose sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence are all tied to their failures and successes. A world that could have been full of excitement and experimentation gets divided into the black and white binaries of “failure” and “success”. However, this is not ideal. Children and adults alike should be taught that viewing our failures with interest helps us adopt a mindset that sees failure as an opportunity for learning and growth. By approaching failure with curiosity and interest, we can analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments for future endeavors. This perspective allows us to reframe failure as a necessary and natural part of the learning process, rather than as a reflection of our abilities or worth.&nbsp; Ultimately, viewing our failures with interest can help us develop resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset that serves us well in all areas of life. So the next time you fail at something, step back and think. There’s more to failures than meets the eye.&nbsp; <h2>Premeditatio Malorum</h2> A famous quote by Seneca goes as follows — “If you would not have a man flinch when the crisis comes, train him before it comes.” This sums up the essence of Premeditatio Malorum, a Latin phrase that directly translates to “premeditation of evils”. It is a Stoic philosophical practice of considering potential misfortunes in advance in order to mentally prepare oneself to face them with composure.&nbsp;&nbsp; Life is not always fair. The best people are sometimes afflicted with undeserving misfortunes. Which is why the wise ones prepare for them in advance, even if their present conditions are comfortable. Premeditatio Malorum is preparedness, not pessimism. It also leads to enduring self-confidence and resilience, which makes it a great gem of a concept to add to your collection on your personal development journey. However, a thing to note with Premeditatio Malorum is that it is not possible to consider every single technical or logical obstacle beforehand. This is where emotional fortitude comes in. Individuals with stronger emotional resilience stay calm and practical in the face of uncertainty. They keep their cool, and take logical decisions for the improvement of the situation. By preparing for adversity in this way, one can reduce fear and anxiety and cultivate a more peaceful state of mind. Thus, here ends the first part of this series. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this list of transformative ideas that can change your mind.

Part 1 of a list of mindset shifts and practices that can change your life and help you on your self improvement journey.

Transformative Ideas That Can Change Your Life Part 1

In the previous article, we delved into understanding the root causes for our dislike towards a particular subject that holds us back from giving it our best. Along with that, we also learned about some small but considerable mindset shifts and techniques to adapt towards the subjects you dislike. This is the second part of the series where I will share with you some more tips on how to study a subject you dislike for your 2024 board exams. Studying a subject you dislike is a formidable challenge. There are several prejudices and obstacles that we need to overcome to start with a clean slate. However, no matter how difficult, studying a disliked subject is not impossible. We can surely conquer this challenge with the right approach.&nbsp; From breaking down the material into manageable chunks to finding personal connections and incorporating innovative study techniques, given below are some more basic but often overlooked study tips that students can practice to cultivate a more positive and productive learning experience with a subject they dislike :&nbsp; <h2>Change Your Mindset</h2> Having to study something you dislike is a little tough. Students often view this as an impossible challenge or as a personal fault. However, you should immediately let go of such negative mindset. Start thinking of this as an opportunity for growth and development. Embrace a positive attitude. Study the subject with a mindset of getting to know it better rather than to score better marks at it (the latter is a by-product of the former which comes with time). By embracing a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and continuous improvement, even the most disliked subject can become a gateway to valuable skills and knowledge.&nbsp; <h2>Start Early</h2> Starting early is a crucial step when it comes to studying a subject you dislike. Begin the learning process well in advance of a deadline, such as an examination or assignment due date. Starting early gives you ample time to become familiar with the course material, understand key concepts, strengthen your foundation, review the material multiple times, and spend sufficient time applying the knowledge with beginner or intermediate topics. By starting early, you can avoid last-minute cramming, which can be stressful and less effective for long-term retention. This is going to help you feel more prepared for all the important internal tests, projects, presentations, and examinations. <h2>Understand the Importance</h2> School curriculums are diverse to provide a well-rounded education to students that encompasses a wide range of subjects, including languages, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, as well as physical education. This is to cater to the varying needs, interests, and abilities of the students. This also helps you explore your potential in various fields to realize what suits you best. Diversity in the curriculum also reflects the changing needs of society and the workforce, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the modern world. Naturally, any subject that you dislike was included in your curriculum because it contributes to your overall education in some way or the other. Recognize the relevance of that subject in your academic and future career goals. This will help you to reduce your dislike against that subject. <h2>Break it Down</h2> Large amounts of material can be intimidating. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable sections makes it feel less overwhelming, thereby significantly improving your ability to study effectively. Breaking down the course material has multiple other advantages. It helps you define realistic and achievable goals for each study session. It also allows you to focus on one concept at a time, reducing cognitive overload. Segmenting the material also helps you organize your study plan. You can create a schedule to cover each part thoroughly, ensuring nothing is overlooked. You can also easily identify your weak areas, then focus more time and effort on these areas to improve your understanding. Breaking down the material also makes regular practice more feasible. This is quite important, especially with numericals or application oriented topics. <h2>Use Visual Aids</h2> Visual aids such as flowcharts, graphs, diagrams, and flashcards are invaluable tools in navigating and understanding subjects we may initially dislike. They help simplify complex concepts, enhance comprehension, and improve memory retention. Visual aids break down dense material into digestible segments, making the learning process less overwhelming. They clarify abstract concepts and make studying more engaging and interactive, leading to increased interest and motivation. Whether it's a flowchart simplifying a process or a graph illustrating data trends, these aids transform abstract ideas into tangible, relatable images. They foster a deeper understanding and stimulate creativity, ultimately, making the disliked subject more approachable and even enjoyable to study. Make sure that you employ these powerful tools in your learning process. <h2>Teach the Wall</h2> Teaching the material can be a highly effective way to enhance your own learning. When you teach a concept to someone else, you need to understand it thoroughly yourself. Thereby, this process reveals knowledge gaps and forces you to clarify your own thoughts regarding the topic. You could be teaching a friend, an imaginary audience, even the bare wall. This makes the process more interactive, reinforces your own learning, and helps you strike up an active engagement with the course material. It will also prompt you to seek out more information to avoid misconceptions. Overall, teaching the material can be a powerful tool for enhancing your own learning and mastery of a subject. <h2>Find Interesting Resources</h2> Finding better and more interesting resources can enrich your learning experience, improve your understanding of the material, and enhance your overall academic performance. More interesting resources make the learning more enjoyable and engaging. Better resources provide you with different approaches to understanding the same topic, which leads to a better understanding of the material and encourages you to think critically about the material.&nbsp;Look for learning resources such as videos, documentaries, or podcasts related to the subject and its applications. Visit libraries or online platforms to obtain better workbooks or question banks for subjects involving problem-solving or application-oriented questions. Use these for regular practice. If you're struggling with specific concepts, don't hesitate to seek help from teachers, classmates, or online resources. Finding better and more interesting resources can significantly enhance your learning experiences with a disliked subject. <h2>Change Study Environment</h2> Studying in the same place every day can become monotonous. A strategic change of environment can break this monotony and make studying your disliked subject more enjoyable. It can have several other benefits as well. Choosing a new environment that has lesser distractions than your usual study space can help improve your focus on the material at hand. Sometimes a change of scenery, such as a park or a balcony, can make studying more enjoyable. A subject that makes you drowsy in your study room with its artificial light might be memorized better when you are walking in a park and explaining concepts to yourself with elaborate hand gestures. Overall, changing your study environment can provide a range of benefits that can help you study a tough subject or a subject you dislike more effectively. <h2>Milestone-Centric Study Schedule&nbsp;</h2> Consistency is key when it comes to mastering a tough subject. This is where study schedules come in. A milestone-oriented study schedule can help you approach a tough subject in a systematic and manageable way, leading to a more effective and rewarding learning experience. It helps you break down the course material into smaller, manageable milestones, and it makes progress tracking more efficient. This method of tackling the subject also makes it easier to identify weak areas and address them effectively with focus, which protects you from feeling overwhelmed by the entire breadth of the subject. Moreover, each milestone achieved is a small victory that boosts your confidence and motivates you to continue studying. Celebrate small victories with a break, or a snack, or any other activity that you enjoy.&nbsp; <h2>Take it Easy</h2> Taking it easy when learning a subject you dislike means approaching the subject with a relaxed and open mindset, without putting too much pressure on yourself. It involves acknowledging that you may not enjoy the subject as much as others, and that subject might never become your cup of tea, but recognizing that it's still important to try your best and make an effort to understand the material. Instead of expecting to master the subject overnight, set realistic and achievable goals for your learning progress. Look for aspects of the subject that you find interesting or relevant, and try to incorporate these into your learning to make it more enjoyable. Don't hesitate to ask for help from teachers, classmates, or tutors if you're struggling with certain concepts. Give yourself regular breaks to rest and recharge, especially when studying a subject you dislike, to avoid burnout.&nbsp; Remember that a positive attitude and a proactive approach can make a significant difference in how you perceive and tackle a subject you don't particularly like. Remember that it's okay to find some subjects challenging or uninteresting. Be kind to yourself and don't be too hard on yourself for not enjoying every subject equally. That being said, I hope you enjoyed this article.

An article with more study tips on how to begin studying a subject you dislike for your exams.

More Tips For Studying The Subjects You Dislike : 2024 Board Exams

As a student, I disliked Mathematics with a fervour. While I understood all the concepts, and could solve a wide variety of numerical problems, something about that subject still turned me off. I resented having to study it. I was scared that it would lead to my downfall for the final exams. It felt as if I would never grow to like Mathematics. However, one of my private tutors changed my mindset with a short analogy. He asked me, “Will you ever be able to develop a mutual friendship with someone while being prejudiced against them? No, right? To develop a mutual friendship, you need to open your heart to the person. You approach them with a positive mindset, before they can return your feelings in kind. So why can’t you take the same approach with Mathematics?” At that very moment, I disagreed with him and grumbled some more that I could never befriend Maths. But with time, I realized the value of his analogy. I slowly started countering every mental “I hate Mathematics!!” with a “Uh, no.” followed by a “I love Mathematics. It’s just being a bit difficult right now but that’s okay!”.&nbsp; At first, it sounded quite forced and fake. However, with time, I did not feel so antagonistic towards Maths anymore. With this mindset and with other helpful techniques (that you will soon read), I did score a 100/100 in my final exams.&nbsp; What matters infinitely more is the mindset shifts that I acquired in the process, that I strongly believe any other student can acquire too. And what you will learn in this blog article is not just limited to the field of academia. So, here’s my challenge to you — find ways in which you can implement these mindset shifts and techniques in other fields of your life. It does not have to big, but it has to be something. Happy reading. Understanding the cause&nbsp; Before you solve an issue, you have to gain a better understanding of the roots of the issue. You may dislike certain subjects for various reasons, and these reasons can vary from person to person. Given below are some common factors that contribute to students disliking particular subjects : <h2>Perceived Difficulty</h2> A subject that is perceived as difficult may lead to frustration and stress for the student. If you struggle to understand the concepts or complete assignments, it can create negative emotions. As you encounter challenges, you may start to doubt your academic capabilities, contributing to a dislike for the subject. Key :&nbsp;Unfamiliarity leads to apprehension. So become familiar with the subject. Read or watch introductory videos to the subject. Understand what does the subject want you to learn. Build up your concepts from the rock-bottom instead of starting mid-way.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Lack of Interest</h2> A lack of interest in the content or relevance of a subject can contribute to disliking it. If students cannot see the real-world applications or connections to their personal interests, they may lose motivation. Key : Find real-world applications of the subject matter to make it more interesting. Understanding the practical implications can make the learning process more enjoyable. Moreover, consider implementing personalized learning strategies to gain an interest in the course material.&nbsp; <h2>Teaching Style&nbsp;</h2> The teaching style of a particular instructor can significantly impact your perception of a subject. If the teaching methods don't resonate with you, you may struggle to engage with the material. Key : Communicate with your teacher. With a cooperative instructor, it should not be difficult to address any learning gaps. Consider changing teachers or hiring a private tutor if possible. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to seek help from other subject matter experts, classmates, or online resources. <h2>Negative Past Experiences</h2> Previous negative experiences with a subject, such as poor grades or difficulty understanding the content, can create a negative association and lead to dislike. Key : Let your past experiences with the subject motivate you to perform better than ever before. Dissociate from the negativity that you had linked to the subject, and convince yourself that each new term/semester is another opportunity to start with a clean slate.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Ineffective Learning Resources</h2> Outdated or inadequate learning resources, textbooks, or materials can make it challenging for students to grasp the subject matter, contributing to a dislike for the subject. Key : Look for alternative learning resources such as videos, documentaries, or podcasts related to the subject. Different formats may make the material more appealing. Visit a library to find more textbooks and practice books on the subject. Consider engaging in entertaining and informative group discussions with other interested peers; what can be better than learning while laughing and enjoying yourself with friends?&nbsp; <h2>High Pressure and Expectations</h2> Subjects that are heavily weighted in terms of grades or carry high expectations from parents, teachers, or society can create stress and dislike. The fear of failure may further exacerbate negative feelings. Key : This is a big issue for a vast majority of students. The pressure that students face during their academic life has something about it that takes away the focus from ‘being better than yesterday’ to ‘being better than the others’. This leads to unhealthy competition, where students end up compromising on their mental well-being and self-worth. At the end of the day, all of us should remember that exams are not the sole measure of a student's worth or potential. They provide a snapshot of your academic performance, and that’s it. It's essential for students to view exams as a part of their learning journey, where academic failures are short-term against the learning arc of life. Enjoy your time learning. <h2>Subjective Nature</h2> Some subjects may be more subjective in nature, leaving room for varying interpretations. Students who prefer clear-cut answers and objectivity may dislike subjects with a high degree of subjectivity. Key : Make your own notes with an extensive use of keywords, bullet points, acronyms, abbreviations, so on and so forth. For example, let’s take a subject like History — students can break easily down long historic incidences to key events (in bullets) with their respective dates attached. Learn the names of important people/places involved as keywords related to that incident. You can then make mnemonics of those keywords, which will make memorization more fun.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Social Influences</h2> Peer pressure and the opinions of friends or classmates can also impact a student's attitude towards certain subjects. If a subject is perceived as "uncool" or unpopular, students may adopt a negative stance. Key : Peer influence is very real in such cases. However, do not fall victim to the trap of conformity. At the end of the day, you are the one responsible for your growth as well as your grades.&nbsp; Now that you have narrowed down your general dislike towards the subject to some fundamental reasons, I hope you have realized that it’s not so far from understanding the root issue to finding a diligent solution that works for you. Do not indulge in negative self-talk which simply reinforces your assumed incapability in a subject that you dislike. While this can be challenging, remember that it is essential to approach this with a positive mindset and effective strategies to ensure success in your board exams. With that in mind, read the second part of this extensive blog article which will give you some more tips to help you study a subject you dislike : <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/more-tips-for-studying-subjects-you-dislike-2024-board-exams" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here!</a>

An article to understand why you hate certain subjects and gain insightful tips on how to ace them for your board exams.

A Guide To Studying The Subjects You Dislike : 2024 Board Exams

In the year 1955, British author and historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson published a distinguished essay highlighting the human tendency to procrastinate or engage in non-essential activities when there is no sense of urgency. This observation, now well-known as Parkinson's Law, states that work expands to fill the time available for completion. Students and working professionals have certainly experienced the effects of Parkinson's Law at least once in their lives where they spend most of the work day filling in time just to look busy. How often do we procrastinate on a project unless we are mere hours away from the deadline? A simple essay that would have required just an hour or two of focused work becomes a week-long task considered after numerous sessions of TikTok doom scrolls, collection of irrelevant information, overthinking, daydreaming, half-hearted work on several other projects, unnecessary naps, and many other such distractions. Thus, we wait until the last minute, only to submit a project that is certainly not our best work. Parkinson's Law helps us become aware of this inherent tendency to procrastinate. Understanding and leveraging it helps us overcome unnecessary time expansions and wasteful burn-outs. It further increases efficiency and productivity, maximizes work output, enhances the quality of concentration, and speeds up progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With that in mind, read this article to learn more about Parkinson's Law. This blog post will provide practical strategies for harnessing Parkinson's Law to enhance productivity and achieve better results. <h2>About Parkinson’s Law</h2> - Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. - It was coined by British author and historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson in an essay published in 1955. - According to the law, if you have a certain amount of time to complete a task, you are likely to use up all of that time, even if the task could be completed in a shorter time frame. - Parkinson attributed this phenomenon to human nature and the tendency to procrastinate or engage in non-essential activities when there is no sense of urgency. - The law suggests that setting shorter deadlines or time constraints can lead to increased efficiency and productivity. - By imposing limits on the time allocated to a task, individuals are motivated to focus their efforts, make decisions more quickly, and eliminate unnecessary activities. - Parkinson's Law highlights the importance of time management and the need to be mindful of how time is allocated and utilized. - It encourages individuals to be proactive in setting realistic deadlines, avoiding unnecessary delays, and preventing work from expanding beyond what is truly necessary. - By consciously applying Parkinson's Law, individuals can enhance their productivity and accomplish tasks more efficiently by leveraging the sense of urgency and avoiding time-wasting behaviors. <h2>Increasing Productivity Using Parkinson’s Law</h2> 1. Setting Clear and Realistic Deadlines Parkinson's Law draws attention to the leaky bucket of time and efficiency. To oppose this, students and working professionals are encouraged to follow a thoughtful approach and set practical deadlines for their daily tasks and projects. Setting such specific and realistic time constraints develops a sense of urgency that prevents work from expanding unnecessarily. It also helps us maintain focus and drive progress without succumbing to procrastination and undue stress. First, we need to separate tasks into smaller, manageable components to facilitate accurate time estimation. We then use this to establish reasonable deadlines that are challenging yet attainable.&nbsp; Individuals can look for accountability partners to encourage a sense of urgency to avoid slacking. On the other hand, team members can rely on each other to review progress regularly, promote proactive work, and hold individuals accountable for time management. Remember to be flexible when unforeseen challenges arise but focus on achieving the desired outcome within the set timeframe.&nbsp; 2. Prioritize Effectively For students or professionals, a particular task in our to-do list is prioritized depending on numerous factors like upcoming deadlines, availability of resources, level of preparation, task dependencies, similarities, and more. Activities that align with our priorities or directly impact our success should be our foremost focus. This effective prioritization of tasks is essential for optimizing our time and productivity.&nbsp; We should begin by defining our short and long-term goals as a roadmap for our tasks. Next, we need to identify critical activities aligned with those goals. Techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix help categorize tasks into urgent, important, non-urgent, and non-important quadrants. Using this matrix, we can focus our attention and energy on tasks that fall in the urgent and important quadrant. Effective prioritization enables us to navigate Parkinson's Law successfully. It ensures the completion of tasks without allowing work to expand in time unnecessarily. 3. Implement Timeboxing Timeboxing is valuable for managing tasks efficiently. The most famous tools used for this are timetables, schedules, and routines. To implement timeboxing effectively, divide your workday into blocks of time, each allocated to specific tasks or activities. We can set rigid time boxes by the hour like a timetable, or split up the day into chunks of time like ‘before school’, ‘after breakfast’, ‘after tuitions’, ‘before bedtime’, so on, and allocate various tasks to each time slot.&nbsp; During each timeboxed period, focus exclusively on the designated task. If the tasks requires concentrated work, then minimize distractions by turning off non-essential notifications, getting away to a quiet spot, or playing deep focus music. When the timebox for a particular task ends, stop working on it, even if the task is not complete. This is crucial as it prevents Parkinson's Law from taking effect. If you haven't finished the task, assess your progress and decide whether it's necessary to allocate additional time later. By sticking to this disciplined approach and adjusting timeboxes as needed, you can make efficient use of your time, reduce procrastination, and avoid unnecessary time expansion on tasks.&nbsp; Moreover, timeboxing can help in prioritization and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, as it forces us to allocate specific time for different areas of your life, preventing work from encroaching into personal time and vice versa. Lastly, we should learn to delegate or outsource when appropriate, and we shouldn’t hesitate to say no. 4. Emphasize Quality over Quantity In the world of productivity, it is a well-known fact that 2 hours of focused work on a single task yields much more than 4 hours of distracted multi-tasking ever will. This is why ensuring quality over quantity in productivity is crucial for sustainable and meaningful progress. And this can be done in several ways. First and foremost, have a clear purpose that will act as a compass for your efforts. Our long-term goal is to achieve meaningful outcomes rather than simply completing tasks. This goal-centric mindset forms the foundation for prioritizing quality. Effective time management further reinforces this commitment to quality and reduces the risk of rushed or subpar work. Avoid excessive multitasking and instead focus on one task at a time, which can help maintain concentration and prevent tasks from expanding beyond their necessary timeframe. Minimizing distractions to engage in deep work. Continuously evaluate and optimize your work processes to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary time expansion.&nbsp; We should also acknowledge the importance of personal well-being when it comes to productivity. Balancing perfectionism with practical constraints, celebrating milestones, and incorporating self-care practices contribute to sustained performance at a high standard. These enable individuals and teams to follow a sustainable approach to productivity. <h2>In Conclusion</h2> We now know that by understanding and harnessing Parkinson’s Law in their study/work or personal lives, individuals can effectively manage their time, boost productivity, and achieve better results. By implementing the strategies outlined in this post and adapting them to their specific needs and work environments, students as well as working professionals can reap great benefits. With a proactive approach to time management and task prioritization, individuals can unlock their productivity potential and accomplish more in less time.

An article discussing Parkinson's Law in depth for maximizing productivity.

Do More in Less Time : Unlocking the Power of Parkinson's Law

Back in the early 1900s the distinguished Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed that 80% of Italy’s wealth was owned by 20% of the population. Pareto went on to observe a similar 80 to 20 cause-effect ratio in the yields from his pea garden, and eventually in various other domains, such as business, economics, manufacturing, management, human resources, physical exercise, and more.&nbsp; This concept came to be known as the Pareto Principle, which thus evolved to become our definition for general circumstances where 80% of outcomes are driven by 20% efforts. Of course, this ratio is not always exact, but it represents a general pattern observed in various domains worldwide, including fields of productivity and personal development.&nbsp;&nbsp; When it comes to productivity, we often hear about the Pareto Principle from bloggers and youtubers all over the Internet. This is because understanding and leveraging the Pareto principle helps individuals to liberate their time schedules, focus their efforts on the most impactful tasks, prevent unnecessary burn-outs, maximize work output, and achieve greater efficiency. With so many advantages, it is clear why this principle deserves the importance that it gets. Read this article to learn more about the famous Pareto Principle and how to implement it effectively for maximizing your daily productivity. <h2>About The Pareto Principle</h2> - The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. - It was named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed that 80% of Italy's wealth was owned by 20% of the population. - The principle suggests that in many situations, a small number of inputs or factors have a disproportionately large impact on the overall outcome. - The 80/20 ratio is not always exact, but it represents a general pattern found in various domains, such as business, economics, and productivity. - The principle can be applied to improve efficiency by identifying and focusing on the vital few factors that yield the most significant results. - By concentrating efforts on the critical 20%, individuals or organizations can maximize their productivity, profitability, and overall effectiveness. - Conversely, the remaining 80% of inputs often have minimal impact and can be considered less important in terms of achieving desired outcomes. - The Pareto Principle highlights the importance of prioritization, resource allocation, and understanding the relative significance of different factors or inputs in a given system. <h2>Increasing Productivity Using The Pareto Principle</h2> 1. Identify the Vital Few The level of priority for a particular task in our to-do list varies depending on numerous factors like upcoming deadlines, availability of resources, level of preparation, and more. Unlike the general population, high-performing learners are more aware of these variations. They analyze their work or daily activities, and skillfully identify the vital tasks that will boost their productivity in the present and make their lives more efficient in the future. Working on these “vital few” tasks helps them make a significant impact on their overall goals. Analyzing the study/work habits of these high-performers has shown us that we need to look for the 20% of tasks that yield the most significant results or have the highest impact on our goals. Focus on activities that align with our priorities, contribute to our long-term objectives, or directly impact our success. By identifying and prioritizing these vital tasks, we can allocate your time and energy more efficiently, ensuring that you are investing in the activities that yield the greatest productivity and results. 2. Analyze Time Allocation Time is Man’s most important yet undervalued asset. High-performing learners are quite aware of the activities that utilize their time, as well as the results obtained by each of those tasks. They replace, delegate, or eliminate unimportant activities that yield minimal results to free up more time. Then, they streamline their to-do list and channel this time into the remaining 20% of activities that have the highest return on investment.&nbsp; To follow their example and analyze time allocation to improve your productivity, begin by tracking how you spend your time over a period, such as a week or a month. Categorize your activities and measure the outcomes or results generated from each task. Identify the top 20% of activities that contribute the most to your productivity or desired outcomes. Assess whether you can delegate, eliminate, or streamline the remaining 80% of tasks to free up more time for the vital few. Prioritize the high-impact activities and allocate more resources, focus, and effort to them. Continuously evaluate and adjust your time allocation based on the outcomes and effectiveness of each task. By applying the Pareto Principle to your time management, you can optimize your productivity by focusing on the critical tasks that generate the greatest impact and results. 3. Delegate or Eliminate Non-Essential Tasks To delegate or eliminate unimportant non-essential tasks and improve productivity using the Pareto Principle, start by identifying the inefficiencies or time-wasting activities that fall within the 80% category with lower impact. Evaluate each task's value in terms of its contribution to your goals and priorities.&nbsp; After rearranging your task priority list, determine if any tasks can be delegated to others, freeing up your time to focus on more critical activities. Delegate tasks that don't require your specific expertise or can be done more efficiently by someone else. Additionally, consider eliminating or minimizing tasks that don't align with your objectives or provide significant value. Streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, or find alternative solutions to minimize time spent on non-essential activities.&nbsp; For students, the processes of delegation and elimination will look vastly different from that for working professionals. For example, delegation for students might involve downloading notes and diagrams of a particular chapter from the Internet instead of making them by hand. It can also include something as simple as using ready-made templates for presentations instead of starting from scratch. Similarly, elimination might involve skipping over a scheduled revision of some previous chapters in favor of studying for an upcoming test. Come up with your own ideas for delegation and elimination that will best meet your requirements.&nbsp; 4. Time Management Techniques Simply knowing what to do is not enough. It is important to know how to do things too.&nbsp; For enhanced productivity, lower chances of burn out, and maximized work output, familiarize yourself with effective time management techniques such as Time Blocking, Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro technique, Getting Things Done (GTD), Eat That Frog, the 2-minute rule, Ivy Lee method, and more (we will discuss each of these techniques in detail in the upcoming blog articles). Use productivity tools or apps including to-do lists and spreadsheets to track and manage tasks efficiently. Have an accountability partner to prevent procrastination. Align these techniques with the Pareto Principle to maximize productivity.&nbsp; For example, techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix help categorize tasks into urgent, important, non-urgent, and non-important quadrants. Focus your attention and energy on tasks that fall in the urgent and important quadrant. Delegate or eliminate tasks that are non-urgent and non-important.&nbsp; Utilize time-blocking to allocate dedicated time slots for specific tasks or categories of work. Set clear goals and deadlines for each task to enhance focus and productivity. Practice disciplined time management by avoiding multitasking and minimizing distractions. Regularly review and evaluate your progress, making adjustments as needed. By combining the Pareto Principle with effective time management techniques, you can optimize your productivity by focusing on the most valuable tasks while efficiently managing your time and resources. 5. Regular Evaluation and Adjustment Regular evaluation and assessment are key to increasing productivity while using the Pareto Principle. Start by setting clear goals and objectives that align with your priorities. Regularly measure your progress towards your goals by maintaining a record of completed tasks, milestones achieved, and outcomes produced. Continuously assess the impact of your tasks to keep focusing on the vital few that contribute the most to your desired outcomes. &nbsp;As circumstances and goals evolve, remember to review and adjust your priorities as needed. Identify inefficiencies in your workflow. Consider streamlining, automating, delegating, or eliminating tasks that consume time without producing significant results. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or supervisors to gain valuable insights into your work habits, areas for improvement, and potential blind spots. Based on your assessments, make necessary adjustments to your workflow, priorities, and time management strategies. Continuously refine your approach to maximize productivity and effectiveness.&nbsp; By incorporating regular evaluation and assessment into your routine, you can optimize your time management and make informed decisions to enhance your productivity over time and achieve better results. <h2>In Conclusion</h2> We now know that the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, offers valuable insights into productivity and resource allocation for individuals to implement in their study/work or personal lives. By recognizing that a small portion of tasks or efforts often yield the majority of results, we can strategically focus our time and energy on the vital few, thereby achieving greater efficiency, effectiveness, and success in both personal and professional endeavors. I encourage you to implement this powerful principle in your individual lives and reap the benefits that it brings to those seeking to maximize their productivity and achieve outstanding results.

An article to learn more about the famous Pareto Principle and how to maximize your daily productivity using it.

Maximizing Productivity With The Pareto Principle : The 80/20 Rule

In this era of incessant hustle, waking up early is considered the be-all and end-all for a productive day.&nbsp; You feel as if you are already behind if your mornings don’t start at 5 am with a classy cup of green tea in one hand and a chic to-do list in the other. You allow yourself another day of wasted indulgence, promising that you will surely be more productive tomorrow. It feels impossible to have a productive day if you wake up late. However, this thought process is a self-laid trap. While waking up late can sometimes make us feel like we have already lost the day, it doesn't have to be that way. No matter how late you wake up, focus on the time you have left instead of lamenting the time wasted. Rearrange your task priority list. Most importantly, start as soon as you can. Read the blog post below, where I share ten fail-proof tips to help you make the most of your day, even if you started a little later than you intended.&nbsp; <h2>Forgive Yourself</h2> Start your day with a touch of positivity by forgiving yourself. The best thing to do is to take a deep breath and accept that you slept in. That will set a more optimistic tone for the day.&nbsp; When you show yourself some grace and accept that it is okay for you to fall back sometimes, you also start believing in your potential to make the best of what’s left. This positive mindset helps you work more efficiently, giving you the confidence you need to give your best and seize the day.&nbsp; Remember that it's not about how you start your day, but how you finish it. <h2>Freshen Up</h2> Drink plenty of fluids as soon as you wake up. Take a quick cold shower to feel rejuvenated, increase alertness, and improve mental clarity. Use subtle smelling products according to your liking. Eat a decent breakfast (or brunch), preferably nutritious and protein-rich.&nbsp; It should take not more than thirty to forty-five minutes to complete all the activities above. However, it sets you up for numerous hours of focused work with all human distractions like hunger and sluggishness set aside.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Soak In Some Sunshine</h2> Throw open the curtains and let the natural sunlight pour into your room. Morning sunlight has several benefits as it positively affects important neurotransmitters like melatonin, serotonin, and dopamine. In turn, these neurotransmitters affect aspects of human health like the circadian rhythm, energy metabolism, the immune system, overall mood, and much more. Natural light greatly affects alertness, mood and productivity. It also serves as a great way to give the eyes a break from any screens. <h2>Play With Professionalism</h2> Dressing well can have a positive impact on both our mood and confidence. It can uplift our spirits, enhance our self-image, and create a sense of self-expression. The right outfit can bring about feelings of happiness and comfort. It can make us feel more self-assured, capable, and ready to take on challenges.&nbsp; However, with a late-running schedule, you should not waste a lot of time on this. Remember that something as minimal as a decent hairstyle and a chic analog wrist watch can work just as effectively as a full blown suit or dress, provided you have the right mindset for it.&nbsp; <h2>Reassess Your Task Priority List</h2> Most students and working professionals have a running to-do list for tasks they need to get done within a given time frame. They refer to this list quite often, complete said tasks one by one depending on their importance, and check them off the list.&nbsp; Since waking up late can throw your day off balance, it is advisable to reassess your to-do list, assuming that you maintain such a list already. Identify the important tasks that you need to do that day and the other unimportant tasks that you can postpone, delegate, or altogether delete from your list. Number your important tasks in order of priority. Start with them as soon as you can. <h2>Start With Your Hardest Task</h2> “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy is a popular self-help book that focuses on time management and productivity strategies. The title of the book is based on the idea that if you have to eat a live frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning, so the rest of your day will be easier by comparison. Similarly, the central premise of the book is centered around overcoming procrastination and tackling your most important tasks or "frogs" right away, rather than putting them off.&nbsp; Following that advice, resist the urge to put off the hardest task for later in the day. Finishing your hardest task first will also help you feel lighter, confident, and even more motivated to complete the other tasks. <h2>Be Ruthless With Distractions</h2> You have already lost a chunk of your day to sleep, don’t allow trivial distractions to hamper your productivity any further.&nbsp; Disable unnecessary notifications on your phone, computer, or other devices. Remove unnecessary items from your workspace, keep it organized, and eliminate any potential sources of interruption. Use noise-blocking headphones and other productivity boosters like time management techniques (Pomodoro Technique). Take advantage of various productivity tools available that can block distracting websites, track your time, or provide focused work environments.&nbsp; Remember, being ruthless with distractions doesn't mean completely eliminating breaks or leisure time. It's about being intentional and strategic with your attention and minimizing unnecessary disruptions.&nbsp; <h2>Take Breaks</h2> It's important to take breaks throughout the day, even when you're trying to catch up on work. The key is to take intentional and purposeful breaks instead of allowing yourself to fall down the rabbit hole of internet scrolling. Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue, allowing you to maintain focus and concentration on tasks for longer periods. They replenish your energy levels and prevent burnout. Breaks provide a chance to relax, reduce stress levels, and promote overall well-being, which positively impacts productivity. Strategic breaks can help you break up monotony, prioritize tasks, manage your time effectively, and maintain a sustainable pace throughout the day. Use your breaks wisely to set yourself up for an overall productive work session ultimately. You can read this article for more tips on the topic : <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/things-to-do-during-study-breaks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">21 Realistic Things To Do During Study Breaks</a> <h2>Unwind At Night</h2> No matter how much work has been completed, make it a priority to pause all work and relax for an hour or two before you go to sleep.&nbsp; Limit your exposure to screens, including smartphones, computers, and TVs. Participate in light physical activities like stretching, gentle yoga, or a leisurely walk to release tension and promote relaxation. Engage in activities that bring you joy and allow for self-expression, such as painting, playing a musical instrument, or engaging in a creative hobby that helps you unwind.&nbsp; Listen to calming music, nature sounds, audio books or podcasts to help you relax and transition into a more peaceful state of mind. Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind and body. Take a moment to simply appreciate the achievements and experiences of the day, no matter how hectic.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Think About Tomorrow</h2> If you wake up late often, it might be time to adjust your schedule. Especially if it is proving to be problematic and negatively affecting your long-term productivity.&nbsp; Take stock of all the work you could complete today, as well as of the remaining tasks that you can shift to the next day. Draft a to-do list for tomorrow while all the incomplete tasks from today are still fresh in your mind.&nbsp; Try to go to bed earlier so that you can wake up earlier and have more time in the morning. You can also adjust your schedule so that you have more time in the evenings to work on important tasks. Find out the hours in which your productivity flows best and use them to your advantage.&nbsp; What you do the day before matters just as much as what you do each morning. So, I encourage you to dedicate a mere two to three minutes of your night to think about the next day and your expectations for it. In conclusion, waking up late doesn't have to ruin your entire day. You don’t have to be a morning bird to make the most of your day. Utilize the tips above to still have a productive day, even if you started a little later than you intended. Remember to prioritize your tasks, stay focused, take breaks, and adjust your schedule if needed. With a little effort, you can make the most out of your day and achieve your goals.

Ten fail-proof tips to help you be productive, even if you started a little later than you intended.

Being Productive After Waking Up Late : 10 Useful Tips For You

Criticism is an unwelcome but crucial part of our lives.&nbsp; We often try to avoid it because it can feel annoying, uncomfortable, and distressing. It drains away our self-esteem, makes us question our capabilities, and often makes us lose confidence in ourselves.&nbsp; Some people react even more poorly to criticism. They often snap back angrily. Or, they give in to the pressure and make incompatible life decisions. It's easy to get worked up about criticism and respond to it on an emotional level. However, that is not an ideal situation. We must realize that criticism can also be a gift. If delivered and received skillfully, constructive criticism can help you improve your knowledge and skill sets. It can help you to learn, grow and improve. It can train your mind to see the good in every circumstance and make the best out of a bad situation.&nbsp; The clever and compassionate delivery of criticism by others is out of our control. However, we can take it upon ourselves to learn how to receive it ably. Read the article given below to develop a positive growth-oriented mindset towards criticism.&nbsp; <h2>Be Particular</h2> Everyone has an opinion about what you are doing with your life. However, you must realize that not every opinion matters.&nbsp; Determine your group of well-wishers whom you respect. Decide whether you can trust their criticisms regarding your life decisions. Listen to their thoughts, but be ready to discard what doesn't work for you.&nbsp; Set the rest of the world apart and ignore their unsolicited remarks. However, this does not give you the excuse to be rude to them. Be polite, and keep your intuition handy. You will know if a random suggestion inspires you or not.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>More About Them</h2> Everyone's a little biased, including you. Our life experiences color every aspect of our lives. Thus, how other people react to your life is more a matter of their past experiences than your future ambitions. In such a case, it is ideal to develop a humble inner filter that reminds you of the differences in character, resources, and opportunities between the critic and yourself. Try to be compassionate towards the place where their criticisms are coming from.&nbsp; Most people are moving through life at their own pace, and that's okay. Learn to be kind towards the critic and yourself while maintaining a strong hold over your beliefs and emotions. <h2>Be More Confident</h2> Life decisions that push you out of your comfort zone also leave you vulnerable to self-doubt and insecurities.&nbsp; In such instances, your friends will cheer you on and reassure you that everything will work out in your favor. However, your naysayers will do the opposite. From genuine concern or ill-natured feelings (it is up to you to determine which), they will highlight your insecurities, magnify all chances of failure, and try to pull you down.&nbsp; To avoid this, develop more confidence. Self-confidence helps you recognize your abilities, interests, and feelings. It makes it easier to stand against unfair criticism. It helps rebalance yourself in case things go wrong. It improves your mindset and primes you for long-term success. To develop more self-confidence, make a plan. Gain more clarity on your purpose, map out all possible ways of realizing your dream, lay down a rough timeline, and improvise your systems as and when required. You can choose to publicize your plan. Or you can share it only with your trustworthy acquaintances for their advice.&nbsp; <h2>Give Them A Chance</h2> I strictly advise against completely dismissing your critics. Lend them an attentive ear. Consider if anything piqued your curiosity. Were there any significant points that you had overlooked? Can you take away something worthy from this? What can you improve? Keep what works for you, and discard the rest. Inspiration can come from the oddest places. Similarly, your critics might serve as unexpected sources of ideas for you. They are criticizing you as they have identified a gap in your work/life and want to help you improve it. Paying heed to your naysayers might make them more eager to cooperate since they feel heard now. However, use your discretion to separate those who nag from those who might have something more substantial to offer. <h2>Communicate</h2> Establish communication, especially when your critics are crucial relatives such as your parents, spouses, genuine friends, work supervisors, colleagues, or close mentors. Proper communication can help you bridge at least 50% of the differences (given that both parties want to reach a mutual understanding).&nbsp; Some tips could be to find out the right time (and mood) to raise the topic and to try your best to remain calm, even if the conversation goes south. Hear them out patiently before making your points, and tell them which of their points you are willing to consider. Paraphrase to gain more clarity. Seek to reach a mutual understanding.&nbsp; Successful communication requires a lot of patience, empathy, and effort on both sides. There are situations where this may, in fact, not work. Though unfortunate, you must acknowledge that reality and seek other ways to solve the problem. <h2>Avoid Being Defensive</h2> Criticism can often make us feel uncomfortable and frantic.&nbsp; In such instances, some people often react poorly. They begin engaging in emotionally defensive maneuvers to avoid unwanted feelings or to discard responsibility for their actions. They minimize the other person's feelings and experiences. They start pointing fingers, calling names, raising their voice, or throwing fits.&nbsp; All of the above are examples of terribly immature behavior that we should never display. They leave no space for flaw-rectification, mutual understanding, or personal improvement. As human beings, it is natural for us to make mistakes in professional and personal fields. Receiving criticism or feedback on such fallacies is an opportunity for growth. Accept it with a calm demeanor. Avoid becoming defensive. If you have to explain yourself, then do it calmly. Take responsibility for the harmful consequences of your actions. Lastly, put in the effort required to become better.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Always Be Polite</h2> Criticism that comes from any external source has no real power over you. You can choose to accept it, just as you can choose to disregard it.&nbsp; Therefore, instead of letting it get the best of you, you should remain neutral and maintain a strong hold over your emotions. Realize that receiving criticism for the gaps in your skill set doesn’t make you any less. Pause for a brief moment to process what you are hearing. Ask meaningful questions. Discuss your understanding of the matter. Let your positive behavior highlight your high emotional intelligence and willingness to learn.&nbsp; <h2>Look Out For Yourself</h2> Sometimes, insensitive people condemn us more harshly than reasonable. Sharp words, humiliation, bullying, blaming, name-calling, and threatening are examples of how harmless criticism can descend to something much more abusive.&nbsp; In such instances, it is natural to feel triggered. Leave the situation as soon as possible. Remind yourself of your self-worth. Acknowledge all the negative feelings that surfaced due to the interaction. Be compassionate towards yourself. Channel any intrusive negative thoughts via journaling later. Remind yourself that these hurtful words from others have no real power over you. Listen to some of your preferred uplifting songs. Talk about it with a trusted friend. Bring the matter to the attention of your seniors or supervisors to further protect yourself. Stay strong. <h2>Walk Away</h2> Not all criticism is constructive. With poorly delivered words, even your biggest "well-wisher" can make you feel judged and attacked.&nbsp; In such instances, walk away from potentially triggering conversations. Let them know that you cannot hear them now. Suggest a later hour to get back to the conversation, which may give them time to weigh their criticism too. <h2>Know That It’s Okay</h2> Last but not least, remember that criticism is an inevitable part of life. Every step that you take can and will receive some negativity in life. In fact, your own mind will often oppose you with second guesses, indecision, insecurities, and self-doubt. Life is meant to be a battlefield of uncertainties, and that’s okay.&nbsp; No one knows their future minute for minute. Very few people have a bulletproof plan for life. Your life is a journey unique to you. And sometimes, the life decisions that you make will pull you down some unconventional lanes which might bring even more scrutiny to your table. The people around you will always have an opinion on how you can walk, talk, speak, eat, bathe, sleep, study, or work better. It is an illusion to think that you will be universally loved. This is why you must learn and practice effective criticism handling.&nbsp;

A concise article on the art of receiving all kinds of criticism with a positive growth-oriented mindset.

Mastering the Art of Receiving Criticism : 10 Mindset Shifts For You

One of the most underrated aspects of exam preparations is the answer sheet presentation part of it. Think about it; students read thousands of helpful articles on preparation techniques, memorization tricks, procrastination hacks, and productivity boosters. These lay the groundwork for their high grades, and help them get ready with the subject matter at hand. However, few are prepared well for what happens after they enter the examination hall. From the first fifteen minutes of reading the question paper to the last fifteen minutes of frenzied writing — every chunk of time has its own significance. More than often, the key to scoring your best does not include memorising the most notes or writing down the most words in your answer sheets. Crude hard work is just one aspect of it.&nbsp; What matters just as much is how you present what you have learnt, how relevant your keywords are, how efficiently you manage your time while writing the answers, and how level-headed you stay even in the last fifteen minutes of your time. All these factors cumulate in helping you score the best possible marks for yourself.&nbsp; With that in mind, given below are some tips for your Board Exams. Start practicing the answer sheet presentation tips while solving mock papers to build a long-term habit for all your future exams.&nbsp; Before you enter the examination hall :&nbsp; <h2>Admit Card &amp; ID Card</h2> Goes without saying that these two are the top non-negotiables that you should always have with yourself in your examination hall. Risk forgetting your shoes at home (better not), but do not forget your admit card and your ID card.&nbsp; <h2>Scan your possessions&nbsp;</h2> Go through your pen case for any rogue pieces of paper or pencil sharpener waste. Check that you have everything that you might need. In my opinion, you should always carry two or more blue ink pens, one black ink pen, a sharpened pencil, an eraser, a sharpener, a scale, a compass, and a short pencil for the compass. Some exams (like the maps in Geography)&nbsp;might require more equipment. Remember to carry all that you might need. Another best practice is to ensure that your possessions have no labels.&nbsp; It is recommended to carry a small water bottle and an analog watch. Some exam halls prohibit the use of clip boards. If yours permits you to carry one, the best practice is to use a transparent clipboard. <h2>Scan yourself</h2> Avoid any unnecessary trouble in the examination room or hall by scanning yourself before you walk through the door. Ensure that your pockets are not carrying any unusual scraps of paper. Check your hands for any unintentional scribbles. It takes less than a minute to perform a full body scan. After you enter the examination hall :&nbsp; Find the seat allotted to you as per your roll number. Check the drawers, if any, for scraps of papers or pencil sharpener waste. Get rid of those immediately.&nbsp; Be alert and always remember to double check as you enter your details in the required places (as per the instructions by your invigilator or as per requirements).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After you get the question paper :&nbsp; <h2>First reading</h2> Skim through the question paper roughly. Check the type of questions that have appeared — comprehension passages, MCQs, one word answers, essays, letters, SAQs, LAQs, diagrams, problem sums, assertion-reasons, and more. Check that all the pages in your booklet are present and properly printed. <h2>Second reading</h2> Pick up your pencil and go through the questions in greater detail now.&nbsp; For the passage comprehension, read the passage first, followed by the questions. Once you know the questions, read the passage again and underline all possible answers for easy reference for when you start writing the answers. Solve the MCQs in your question paper with your pencil. Pay special attention to questions with negatives like “which of these is not the correct statement”; students often answer these questions incorrectly in their nervousness or hurry. While reading the SAQs and LAQs, draw a small cross mark beside the questions whose answers you don’t know. Don’t try to brainstorm their answers yet. Instead, continue reading the other questions. Read the internal choice questions carefully. When you finally select the question that you will attempt, strike out the other alternative neatly with your pencil. This prevents you from attempting both options later on, especially as you grow more nervous and more prone to mistakes during the last half an hour of the exam.&nbsp; Remember to not write down any answers, or to do any rough work in your question paper as that is mostly prohibited. Use your pencil wisely to avoid potential pitfalls. <h2>Third reading</h2> Now that you have read and pondered upon the entire question paper thoroughly, jump back to the questions whose answers you didn’t know. This is the time for you to brainstorm for possible answers. Visit questions whose answers were earlier confusing, and structure the answers in your mind clearly. If you have to attempt essays or other long writing questions, utilise this time to plan them out in proper detail.&nbsp; You can even revisit the internal choice questions and go through the options once again to ensure that you have selected the most feasible one for yourself. Answer sheet presentation tips for the best paper : <h2>Rough work</h2> Problem sums with numerical answers appear quite often for subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, and more. These questions require rough calculations. To improve the presentation of your paper, you can choose to do these rough calculations with a pencil.&nbsp; For my ICSE and CBSE peeps, draw a 1 inch thick margin on the right side of your paper and label it as “Rough Work”. Carry out the calculations beside the respective problem sum since your examiner might go through them. Or you can make that margin at the bottom of the current page that you are writing on. Either option works fine. Using the question paper for solving rough work is undoubtedly forbidden.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Highlight Answers</h2> For problem sums with numerical answers, highlight the answers separately from the rest of the solution. You can do this by underlining them, or by drawing a box around the answer.&nbsp; <h2>Space out your answers</h2> Leave a line after each short and long answer question. Leave two or three lines when a Section of the question paper ends. For questions with subparts, leave a line after each subquestion and two lines when the entire question ends. For a bunch of MCQs or one-word answers, I prefer to not leave any lines after each subquestion.&nbsp; You can make up your own rules for what looks appropriately spaced out for your paper. Use this tip wisely for neatness. Don’t waste unnecessary space on your answer sheet.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Strike through</h2> Having to strike through an answer can be painful at times. No matter how much it frustrates you, refrain from making it a messy sight to look at. Do not scribble or make circles on your answer with your pen. Instead, strike through the answer with a single line diagonally (or horizontally, depending on the length of the answer). You can use two or three diagonal lines to strike through a long answer. This should be sufficient for your examiner.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Cross-check question numbers</h2> The most common silly mistake in answer sheets is numbering the answers incorrectly. This is a sure-fire way for you to lose marks. Moreover, being casual with question numbers can lead to unintentional skipping of small questions here and there.&nbsp; Protect your answer sheet from these unintelligent mistakes by exercising caution with question numbers. Use your pencil to place a small check mark against the questions that you have already attempted. This helps you track your progress and makes it more difficult for you to skip questions accidentally.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Label diagrams</h2> Ignore what comes next if your subject teacher has already given you specific instructions to follow while drawing diagrams (as might be with subjects like Biology or Geography). Make your diagrams with a pencil and label them with the same. Use a sharp nib and all capital letters for labelling parts of the diagram. Mention a title for the diagram underneath it. Use your scale and compass liberally for accurate diagrams in subjects like Physics or Computer Science.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Check answers instantly</h2> The standard approach for checking your answer sheet is to revise it from the beginning to the end after you finish writing down all the answers. This usually happens in the last few minutes of the stipulated writing time. The better alternative to this approach is to check your answer as soon as you finish writing it. With this tip, you will be checking your answers as you go, which prevents all last minute hassles where you might have to revise your answers poorly due to nervousness and urgency as the end of the writing time draws near. <h2>Stay legible</h2> Your handwriting might worsen with the passing of time, which is understandable. However, no matter how rushed you feel, keep your handwriting legible. At least the examiner should be able to grasp the keywords to mark your answer. <h2>Underline keywords</h2> You may be left with some time even after having completed and revised your answer sheet. If so, use this time to make your paper more presentable by underlining the keywords in SAQs and LAQs with a pencil. Doing this makes it easier for your examiner to spot the keywords and mark your answer accordingly. It makes your paper look more put-together. In the last 30 minutes :&nbsp; <h2>Arrange papers sequentially</h2> The answer booklet for your board exams contains at least 16 pages (for ICSE) or 32 pages (for CBSE). These many pages will be more than sufficient for most of your subjects.&nbsp; That being said, subjects like Mathematics and Geography might require additional pages, graphs, or maps to be attached to the main answer booklet. Make sure that you attach these pages securely. Double check the order of the sheets as well as the strength of the knot in the last 30 minutes of the stipulated writing time. <h2>Revise answers</h2> This goes without saying, but utilise a part of the last 30 minutes to revise your answers once again. The final revision won’t take long if you are consistent with checking your answers immediately after writing them. It is still recommended that you go through your paper all over again for the smallest mistakes concerning grammar, punctuation, numbering of answers, labelling of diagrams, and so on. <h2>Horizontal lines</h2> If you have finished writing and revising your paper completely and still have some time left in your hands, use it to draw horizontal lines to neatly separate your answer sheet into proper sections. I prefer to draw a single line after each subquestion, and two lines when the entire section ends. Chalk up your own rules for drawing horizontal lines after answers. Remember to use them in moderation as you don’t want to leave your paper looking cluttered and confusing. I hope that the tips given above will help you this exam season. Put them into practice diligently as you solve your mock papers, and in no time you’ll have a habit in place that you will be able to carry out efficiently during the actual exams.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Exam hall strategies and answer sheet presentation tips for students giving their Board Exams

Answer Sheet Presentation Tips For Your Board Exams CBSE/ICSE 2024

Human beings are strong creatures of habit. Our small unintentional habits carry us through the day, from the moment we wake up till we go to bed. Think about all the little unintentional things that you do like checking your phone as soon as you wake up, your morning cup of coffee, your daily supplements, your night-time skin care routine, and so much more. Your daily habits are a part of your identity that you develop over the years. Which is why your everyday habits are the best place for you to start with as you find yourself on the journey of becoming a better person. However, this is easier said than done. It is a given that leaving old habits or kick-starting new ones is going to be an uneasy, if not a difficult process. This is where micro habits come in.&nbsp;&nbsp;Micro habits are tiny sustainable actions that require minimal motivation and negligible effort to maintain on an everyday basis. They are vastly different from the classic approach to habit formation that most people follow. These people dive head first into the habit and establish daily goals like exercising for one hour everyday, running three miles every morning, or solving twenty numericals each day. Then, they unwittingly hope that they will be able to continue with these habits from day one itself with brute willpower and motivation. Needless to say, almost 8 cases out of 10 end in burnout, frustration, and failure. On the other hand, micro habits are all about small and simple life choices that steer you towards big results. Most micro habits can be completed in less than a minute or two, which makes them feel quite natural. Eventually, they become a normal part of your daily routine. With time, some micro habits can also be used as keystone habits to act as foundations for other routines. They can even help you break bad habits by implementing better ones in place. Most importantly, they make it harder for you to make excuses.&nbsp; With so many notable advantages to their name, micro habits are one of the key tools to building a better lifestyle.&nbsp; To that end, given below are some general micro habits that you can integrate into your day-to-day life no matter how busy you are. Look forward to a steady improvement in your well-being with these habits. <h2>Wake up at a fixed time.</h2>It is recommended to go to bed and wake up around the same time everyday. By degrees, your internal clock adapts to this routine, which then greatly improves sleep quality, strengthens immunity, enhances concentration, creativity and emotional stability, and restores balance in your daily life. <h2>Stay in bed.</h2>Upon waking up, stay in bed for a minute or two and set your intentions for the day. Practice some meditation or breath work for a minute, stretch yourself, and get out of bed with a positive and empowered mindset. <h2>Sidestep social media.</h2>When you are used to checking social media first thing in the morning, you unwittingly invite in cheap dopamine and passive inaction into your daily life. Your mornings start with some discouraging comparisons, lots of mindless consumption, and one or two trips down the nefarious rabbit hole of endless scrolling. This is why lifestyle experts recommend sidestepping social media for the first few hours of the morning and replacing that with some healthy habits to cultivate gratitude and mindfulness.&nbsp; <h2>A glass of water.</h2>You need your 8 glasses of water a day, and what better way of ensuring that you get to that mark than by starting on that goal first thing in the morning. Moreover, a glass of water before your morning coffee helps you stay healthy, prevents a caffeine crash, and aids the digestive process throughout the day. <h2>Make your bed.</h2>The idea behind this micro habit, as popularized by retired Navy four-star admiral William H. McRaven’s book “Make Your Bed”, is to start your day with an immediate sense of achievement. While it may seem like a mundane and inconsequential task, making your bed is one of the smallest but most concrete steps that you will take towards a tidier and healthier living space.&nbsp; <h2>Brush with the opposite hand.</h2>The American brain coach, podcaster, writer and entrepreneur <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=who+is+jim+kwik&amp;oq=who+is+jim+kwik&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j0i433i512j35i39j0i433i512j46i433i512j0i433j0i433i512l2j0i131i433j0i433i512.3772j0j9&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jim Kwik</a> suggests this odd little trick for your early mornings. Brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand has some unexpected advantages ranging from enhancing your BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factors), training your brain for mindfulness, and putting you out of your comfort zone first thing in the morning. The uneasiness will also help you wake up and be more alert.&nbsp; <h2>Revise your affirmations.</h2>Brushing your teeth is a good time for you to revise your affirmations while looking in the mirror. Feel free to use common affirmations like “It’s going to be a great day!” or “I am grateful for today!”. You can even use your own self-curated affirmations for specific circumstances in your life. Successfully counter that lazy, unmotivated, early morning negative self-talk with empowering affirmations for the better version of yourself.&nbsp; <h2>Get some sunshine.</h2>Throw open the curtains and stand in the morning sunshine for at least ten minutes. Morning sunlight has several benefits as it positively affects important neurotransmitters like melatonin, serotonin, and dopamine. In turn, these neurotransmitters affect aspects of human health like the circadian rhythm, energy metabolism, the immune system, overall mood, and much more. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Additionally, you can even carry out other micro habits during those ten minutes in the sunlight. Consider the micro habits listed below for that. <h2>Deep breaths.</h2>Experience a sense of calm, peace and balance with a few minutes of meditation every morning. This micro habit boosts your mood, enhances your awareness, improves concentration and focus, helps you feel more centered, and boosts your overall well-being. There are innumerable other positive changes that this morning mindfulness practice will bring to your life. Invest five minutes every morning for the best life-long results. <h2>Plan for the day.</h2>Draft a to-do list and set your intentions for the day. Consider the pending tasks from yesterday. Identify your priorities for today and move them to the top of the list. Group together separately all the tasks that will take less than five minutes to complete. As an extra, you might even consider all possible distractions that might arise, and plan as to how you will tackle them effectively. This micro habit sets you up for a productive workday.&nbsp; <h2>Visualize your day.</h2>Enhance the quality of your morning routine by visualizing your day as you sip on your coffee. Divide your day into rough chunks of hours such as the morning hours, the afternoon hours, the evening hours, and the hours before bed, and visualize the key activities that you plan on doing in each of those chunks. This gives you a well-defined idea of how the rest of your day will be like. It increases mindfulness and helps you tackle tasks ably.&nbsp; <h2>Read two pages.</h2>If you wish to build a reading habit, then start with reading two pages every single day. You can soon increase the count to three pages per day, and so on. Building a micro habit like this helps you gain knowledge on a particular topic in small, digestible bits. Moreover, there are no excuses that you can make to skip over this bare minimum activity.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Apply sunscreen.</h2>The largest organ of the human body is the skin. The skin provides a protective barrier against physical, thermal, and chemical injury, and reduces harmful effects of UV radiation. Applying sunscreen regularly and protecting the skin barrier is a must for an organ as functional and exposed as this. Sunscreens also reduce chances of skin cancer, prevents premature aging, prevents sunburn, and enhances the health of the skin.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Brain dump before work.</h2>We often find it difficult to focus on the work at hand due to problems such as overthinking or daydreaming tendencies. To avoid these productivity busters, studies recommend a mindfulness practice called the brain dumping technique. Brain dumping before work eases your anxiety and boosts your productivity by centering you in the present moment. And all that you need for this practice is a paper, a pen, and a minute or two. Read <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/tips-to-stop-overthinking-while-studying-or-working" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our article on brain dumping</a> for a quick guide to the technique.&nbsp; <h2>Bring a water bottle.</h2>Catch up with that daily water goal by bringing a water bottle with you to your workspace. You can easily accommodate a 1 liter bottle in your satchel or backpack. Sip on this water as you muse on a topic, after completing a task, or when you are simply feeling bored. Fill up this bottle preferably as soon as it gets over. Place it near the foot of your desk to avoid any unfortunate mishaps (such as spilling water on the laptop or on work documents). This single micro habit will change your life significantly. And the positive effects will be visible from day one!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Walk as you work.</h2>Most intellectual activities are designed to keep us seated at our desks. Whether you are a student preparing for his exams, or an office employee compliling her reports, you know that you are generally stationary at your workplace for long periods of time. Research suggests we move for approximately 3 minutes every hour for well-being benefits like increased energy, improved mood, clearer mind, increased blood flow, better posture, and more. To reap these benefits, you can carry out physical activities like walking across the room while actively recalling your notes, standing up and stretching at your workplace, walking up and down a flight of stairs, visiting your colleague instead of emailing or calling them over the phone, and walking in place. <h2>Put things back.</h2>Get into the habit of putting things back into their designated place as soon as you are done using them or at the end of your working session. A clear workspace allows you to start the next work session with a freshness that a cluttered workspace fails to offer. Admittedly, there are some people who thrive in chaos. However, for the majority, a cluttered workspace brings stress, frustration, and anger. In turn, this lowers our productivity, and makes work a joy-draining aspect of our lives even if it is not actually so. To avoid all the hassle, put your things back as soon as your work is over.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Personal finance.</h2>In his book “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This In School? : 99 Money Management Principles To Live By”, retired business executive turned author <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AJOqlzX92PAlrhYjYTLSxH6bziJjywkDOQ:1677396248900&amp;q=Cary+Siegel&amp;stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NExPt8wpMzVPfsRowS3w8sc9YSn9SWtOXmPU5OIKzsgvd80rySypFJLmYoOyBKX4uVB18ixi5XZOLKpUCM5MTU_NAQB97QeFWgAAAA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiHucD807L9AhUEyzgGHSetC2oQgYUCegQIRBAC&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=975&amp;dpr=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cary Siegel</a> mentions the huge importance of spending even an hour per week learning more about personal finance. While one hour per week may sound quite insignificant in the short term, it adds up to 52 hours in a year, and to as much as 260 hours over five years. This easily puts you ahead of a large percent of the general population in terms of managing your personal finances, evading/overcoming debt, and earning/saving lots of money.&nbsp; <h2>Replace a snack.</h2>Swap a single unhealthy snack from your daily meal with something healthier like a fruit bowl, a handful of dry fruits, a granola bar, roasted seed mix, a glass of orange juice, popcorn, baked chips, dark chocolate, greek yoghurt — the list goes on. You can even opt for simple fruits like an apple, a banana, or a handful of berries. This micro habit is extraordinarily quick to follow through, and acts as a great way for establishing a life-long healthy eating habit. <h2>Stay fresh.</h2>Keep your living space clean and fragrant. During your weekends, devote an hour at least to dust (or change) your bed sheets, vacuum the floor, water your indoor plants, put all your scattered belongings back in their places, do the laundry, wipe mirrors and glasses, and clean your sinks and toilets. Living in a clean space has a huge number of health benefits. It reduces stress and anxiety, helps you center yourself, increases mindfulness, enhances your productivity, improves your sleep quality, and does so much more for your well-being.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>CTM.</h2>Nothing feels better than pampering yourself at the end of a hectic day. However, a drawn-out skin care routine is not always feasible. Use a CTM routine in such cases. CTM basically stands for cleansing, toning, and moisturizing — an extremely simple and well-trusted beauty routine that starts with washing your face with a cleanser, followed by restoring the natural pH of your skin with a toner, and ultimately applying some moisturizer for supple, hydrated skin. This micro habit ideally takes less than five minutes but has immense long-term benefits for your skin.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Ditch devices.</h2>Going device free even half an hour before bed optimises melatonin production, which in turn improves the quality of your sleep-wake cycle and boosts your overall well-being. The benefits compound, and with time it becomes easier for you to fall asleep and to wake up anywhere around your desired times. Instead, practise focused breathing, pick up a book or listen to a podcast to slow down your heart rate, ease your anxiety, and help your body fall asleep on time. <h2>A journal entry.</h2>Fill out a page or two in your journal as the day draws to a close. Your journal is your safe space for jotting down the positive and negative highlights of your day as well as your insights on them. It improves your mental health, allows for self-reflection, boosts writing ability, inspires creativity, and uplifts emotional intelligence. Relinquishing your private thoughts and examining your understanding of yourself on a regular basis is a life-changing micro habit that you should certainly develop. <h2>List pending tasks.</h2>A very prominent advantage of this micro habit is that you get to draft a to-do list for tomorrow while all the incomplete tasks from today are still fresh in your mind. Along with that, planning your day the night before helps you prioritise your tasks for the next day and to efficiently utilise the high energy levels that most people experience in the first few working hours of the morning. This greatly enhances our productivity, and helps us meet our goals. <h2>Recall your goals.</h2>As you lay in your bed and try to fall asleep, gently recall your goals. Visualize your dream life as if it has already happened, think about all the steps you took to get there, all the hurdles that you overcame, and all the lessons that you learned on the journey to your better self. Remember to feel calm, relaxed, and grounded as you do this exercise. This micro habit is a subtle exercise in positivity for your subconscious. Practise the above micro habits as regularly as you can to reap the most satisfying results and to improve the quality of your daily lifestyle.

Discover some of the best micro habits for your life-long success and improved well-being.

25 Micro Habits That The Busiest People Can Practise Everyday

The average person sleeps for a third of their entire life. This statement alone helps us realise the importance of sleep in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and optimising our productivity. However, let’s be honest, being an academic high-achiever in the present times implies that the one thing you are definitely cutting short on is sleep.&nbsp; In fact, I have come across students who boast of their ability to stay operational the whole day with as little as two to three hours of sleep every night.&nbsp; While this may seem quite impressive at first, such habits are extremely debilitating in the long term, and will badly affect everything from your physical and mental health, to your academic performance, longevity, immunity, and so much more.&nbsp; In such a case, students need to seek a middle ground and establish ideal sleeping habits. Aim for at least 5-6 hours of sleep every night. Less hours than that might not show any immediate effects, but they may ultimately result in consistent headaches and lack of focus, thus decreasing your overall productivity. On the other hand, for the general population, sleeping for more than 10 hours is just…a waste of time?&nbsp; Now that you have the hours set, the next thing that you must do is to optimise the quality of sleep that you get. The activities that you do in the hours leading up to your bedtime play an important role in determining the quality of your sleep, thereby indirectly setting the tone for your next day as well.&nbsp; With that in mind, read on to find out how you can not only have a good night’s sleep but also set yourself up for an even more productive tomorrow.&nbsp; <h2>Change your mindset</h2> The general mindset regarding sleep is more based on thinking of it as a hindrance instead of a blessing. If you are a busy student who wants good grades, you sacrifice sleep, because the only way to become a good student is to go to bed late and wake up earlier, right? Not exactly. By now you know how crucial sleep is for your overall performance, so change the self-narrative you have regarding it. Prioritise sleep just as you would prioritise healthy food, regular physical movement, or any other important thing. For the general population, being short on sleep does not show any extreme immediate results, so a day or two is fine. But you should not make a habit out of it if you don’t wish to jeopardise your long term health.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Have a consistent sleep schedule</h2> I cannot stress this enough, but having a consistent sleep schedule does wonders for you. As your body gets accustomed to a routine, you will find yourself maintaining healthy energy levels throughout the day, only to feel the fatigue of a productive day setting in just an hour or a half before your bedtime. That would be your body signalling you to wind down and get ready for bed.&nbsp; The same goes for waking up at a fixed time every morning. As your body gets accustomed to waking up at the same hour everyday, it becomes easier for you to avoid sleeping in, which I know doesn’t exactly sound exciting but oh well. An important point to consider is that while it is recommended to go to sleep and to wake up at fixed times, it is not always realistic to do so. Each day brings a different set of challenges with itself. And you should be ready to adapt accordingly. It is ideal to stick to fixed bedtimes for as many days of the week as you can, but be compassionate with yourself when you skip a day or two. <h2>Go device free</h2> You knew this was coming, right?&nbsp; Staying away from devices ensures that your brain gets the proper wind down period it needs before you fall asleep. Moreover, to simplify some medical jargon, going device free even half an hour before bed optimises melatonin production, which in turn improves the quality of your sleep-wake cycle. The benefits compound, and with time it becomes easier for you to fall asleep and to wake up at your designated times.&nbsp;Well, at least turn off the social media notifications and read an e-book or listen to some relaxing tunes… <h2>Take a walk</h2> Moderate exercise, like an evening walk, can help you fall asleep faster.&nbsp; There are numerous studies on the Internet that recommend walks, low-intensity cycling sessions, full-body stretches, and other mild exercises in the evenings to set in a feeling of general tiredness before bedtime. This helps you wind down properly, thus increasing your chances of experiencing deep sleep alongside alleviating general stress and improving your overall mood. That being said, try this hack for yourself and see whether it helps you in optimising your sleep quality. <h2>Plan for the next day</h2> Planning for the next day is a very popular productivity hack that has many advantages for people from all walks of life. A very prominent advantage is that you get to draft a to-do list for tomorrow while all the incomplete tasks from today are still fresh in your mind. Along with that, planning your day the night before significantly reduces any emotional on-the-spot decisions and helps you utilise the high energy levels that most people experience in the first few working hours. Plus, checking off the completed tasks from the list motivates us to keep going, thereby indirectly enhancing our productivity. What you do the day before matters just as much as what you do each morning. So, I encourage you to dedicate a mere two to three minutes of your night to drafting a to-do list for tomorrow. <h2>Learn something</h2> Activities like reading a book, journaling, listening to a podcast or an audiobook are some incredibly useful things to do while you get ready for sleep. Each of these activities is a good way to learn more about something or the other. Some books and podcasts help you learn more about the world that you live in, whereas others help you better understand the world that you hold within yourself. Similarly, journaling is a popular mindfulness practice that helps us with introspection. Writing entries on prompts related to shadow work, affirmations, or gratitude lists have long lasting positive effects on our psyche.&nbsp; You can also opt for reading your syllabus books or going through the reference contents recommended by your teachers before going to sleep. Skim through the new topics that the professor is going to teach the next day. This simple activity should boost your interest as well as your comprehension abilities in real time classes. Alongside learning valuable insights, these activities also help you wind down for sleep. A popular 2009 study by the University of Sussex aptly showed how activities like reading ease muscle tension, slow down the heart rate, and reduce stress levels significantly. Some of the best and most successful people that we know practise at least one if not more of them as a part of their night routine. Go ahead and join the cadre.&nbsp; <h2>Optimise your environment</h2> Sleeping for some is a simple activity. Hitting the hay and passing into slumberland is a matter of minutes for them. On the other hand, there are people who have more fine needs. A mattress that is neither too soft nor too hard, a room that is completely dark, a plethora of pillows to clutch at, there’s much more that they need for a good night’s rest.&nbsp; Both of them are perfectly justified for their chosen methods. Your sleep is deeply personal to you. Optimise your bedroom for the best sleeping conditions for yourself. Experiment and deduce what works best for you. Remember that the quality of your sleep tonight affects your productivity tomorrow.&nbsp; <h2>Focused breaths</h2> I am a big fan of mindfulness practices. Breathwork, centering exercises, visualizations, meditations, brain wave states, body scans, there’s so much to explore and so many areas of your life that you can revolutionize with the appropriate mindfulness practices. Meditation is one such practice that can help you improve your sleep quality. According to me, meditation, at its core, stands for mindfulness. Not “silencing” your mind, not reaching an alternative state of being, not gaining enlightenment overnight, but being mindful about what you are experiencing in the here and now. And one of the best ways of doing this is by focusing your breaths.&nbsp; As you lay in your bed, take in relaxed deep breaths. Be aware of each breath, feel the air as it makes its way through your nose, as it expands your chest and belly, and rushes out of your body. If you feel your mind wandering, bring your focus back to your breaths. Be gentle with yourself, and repeat it for as many times as you can. You will feel much more relaxed and lighter than before. <h2>Remember your goals&nbsp;</h2> Going to bed at a fixed time does not automatically ensure immediate sleep, especially during the first few days. This is relatively normal. Now that you have put your devices away and completed a minute or two of focused breathing, instead of blankly staring at the dark ceiling, gently think about your goals for life. Think of a few potential problems that might arise on your journey to achieving those goals, and brainstorm about the ways in which you will handle them. Think about how you will feel when you achieve those goals ultimately.&nbsp; Remember to keep your thoughts gentle and relaxed. Thinking of your goals aggressively or with apprehension might take you down the wrong road of anxiety and overthinking.&nbsp; You can think of this as another form of visualization meditation wherein your brain is more receptive to creative thoughts and positive reinforcement as you transition from awake to asleep. I encourage you to learn more about this by doing your own research on brainwave states and frequencies. <h2>Listen to relaxing music</h2> Speaking for myself, box breathing while listening to soothing beats is one of my favourite things to do before bed.&nbsp; Our brain perceives the music we hear as electrical signals instead of mere sound waves. As the brain interprets these signals, a series of effects are brought into play ranging from reduced cortisol levels to increased dopamine, decreased anxiety, and reduced muscle tension. Relaxing music even helps soothe the autonomic nervous system, which in turn soothes your entire body. Music also adds a positive touch to the end of your day.&nbsp; Read <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/noise-and-sleep/music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this short article</a> by the Sleep Foundation as a beginner level introduction to the positive effects that relaxing music has on the quality of your sleep.&nbsp; <h2>Indulge in skin care</h2> Being the largest and outermost organ of our body, the skin goes through a lot throughout the day. Which is why having a night skin care routine is so important for our body. Aid your skin’s natural overnight repair and rejuvenation process with skin care processes as simple as CTM (cleanse, tone, moisturize). There’s so much more such as serums, body lotions, eye creams, face masks, and lip balms, that you can add to your routine. Recognize your skin type and concerns so that you can address them accordingly. This supports cell repair, enhances product absorption, improves the morning-after glow, and compounds with time for long-term benefits. For the general population, deep and healthy sleep is a feasible reality. Remember that for all the above tips, carrying them out “most of the days” is more important than carrying them out “all of the days”. Start slow and stay consistent to see the most satisfying results.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Check out this article for some effective night routine ideas to enhance the quality of your sleep.

11 Powerful Things For Students To Do Before Bed

When it comes to working, ‘productivity’, ‘focus’ and ‘deep work’ are some terms that are thrown around a lot. These are what most people try to accomplish. And out of the plethora of tips and tricks out there, one of the most important ones is workspace optimization. Whether you are a student or an office employee, a workspace that enhances your productivity is a crucial thing that you need. While productive desk setups may require some thought, time and effort, know that it is something that you will probably never have to regret. To that end, here is all that you need to know about workspace optimization. What Defines a ‘Workspace’? The simplest definition of a workspace is the space used or required for one’s work, as in an office or at home. It is not just a physical space for you to work in, but a mental space too. Well, what does that mean? A workspace makes it easier for you to enter the state of flow. Moreover, your desk setup does not just have a say in your productivity, it also affects your overall mood and mental health. Your workspace will be unique to you, even if by a small degree. Following are some essentials for workspace optimization. <h2>Choose A Suitable Location</h2> The first and most basic workspace essential is finding the best spot to set up your workspace in. There isn’t much you can do here if you work in an assigned building space. However, if mobility is an available option, then opt for a spot with the least possible distractions. A calm secluded corner with good lighting and a proper work surface is ideal as a workspace. If you are working from home, then this can even be a kitchen counter or your dining table. <h2>Invest In Proper Furniture</h2> Comfort is often overlooked while designing a workspace. However, this later leads to a decrease in overall productivity as awkward cramped furniture leaves you ill at ease and often unable to focus. To prevent this, invest in appropriate reliable furniture that provides you with comfort alongside workability. A proper desk set up arranged for the right height and right eye-level supports your physical form and reduces chances of early fatigue. Keeping your body comfortable but alert helps maintain the state of flow for longer durations. You can also look into standing desks for increased chances of movement while working. <h2>Get A Good Work Surface</h2> A smooth and clean work surface adds to your ergonomics and improves your work experience. This is an easy to obtain feature for those who work in company offices. Those who work from home can opt for their dining tables or kitchen counters. Or, one can even invest in space-friendly fold-out desks which can be bought easily from furniture stores or even from online e-commerce sites. Tip : If you are a student or a work from home employee, you can also buy a fold-out lap desk. These desks are quite space-friendly and can be folded and put away (under the bed, etc.) after every work session. If you already have a desk surface, but it is rough and uneven, or not up to your standards, then you can look into polished surface vinyl self adhesive countertops. These are easily available in online stores and are a handy substitute for having to invest in an entirely new desk. <h2>Set Up Smart Lighting Schemes</h2> The go-to advice for smart lighting schemes in workspace is to set up your desk close to a window. Natural light greatly affects alertness, mood and productivity. It also serves as a great way to give the eyes a break from any screens. If you don’t have any windows nearby, you can also use appropriate artificial lighting for a suitable vibe. However, it is important that you first recognize your preferable lighting schemes to complement your productivity. Some people focus better in dim settings, others prefer bright white lights. Find out what works best for you, and customise your workspace to meet your requirements. <h2>Arrange For A Power Strip Nearby</h2> An ideal feature for a workspace is to have its own dedicated power strip nearby. Having a work-only power strip ensures that all your devices will be organised, charged and close by. It will also allow you to continue using them while they are charging, and thus save efforts on productivity as well as reduce the hassle involved in fighting with a roommate, partner, or family members for an outlet. Arranging for a dedicated power strip is certainly a tech-smart move. <h2>Get A Steadfast Wi-Fi</h2> This goes without saying, but the most vital item in your workspace is going to be a wi-fi router. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection with a good bandwidth for better work performance. <h2>Declutter ASAP</h2> Ensure that all gadgets being used on the work surface have a home to be returned to at the end of the work session. This could be a shelf, a cupboard or some drawers. If you have devices that almost never leave the desk, then give them specific places on the desk itself. Declutter whenever possible, at the end of every work session preferably. This might sound like a tedious habit but it has many benefits, one of them is that you get to start with a clean workspace the next day, which is great for productivity. Tip : Go DIY for essentials. Make storage spaces for pens, pins, rubber bands and other small accessories using shoe boxes or mason jars. Sort your documents into separate folders as per their category, or set up different sections in the same folder. There are many other useful budget-friendly things that you can create using spare household products, go all in! <h2>Invest In Proper Headphones</h2> Distractions are inevitable no matter where you work, there’s no doubt about it. A proper pair of headphones can go a long way in improving your overall focus and productivity. And there are a variety of focus-inducing music that one can choose out of — classical, synth-wave, lo-fi, binaural beats, white or brown noise, and more. One can also opt for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that will help block out distractions and get you in the zone. <h2>Fresh and Fragrant</h2> Make sure that you start every work session with a clean and hygienic workspace, no matter how devastated it looks later on (let’s normalise messy desks after a deep work session). That will make it easier for you to slide into the state of flow. Get into the habit of cleaning your workspace after every work session so that you can come back to a fresh desk afterwards. Utilise your breaks to re-organize the desk materials. Invest in herb scented candles as their rejuvenating smells have positive effects on our mood and productivity. Use these tips to make work something you look forward to. <h2>Allow Space For Movement</h2> The secret to staying productive for long hours is to acknowledge your need for breaks. To continue even after hitting a wall may lead to decreased work performance and decreased work output. To prevent this, make sure that you incorporate several quick short breaks throughout your entire work session. There are numerous things <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/things-to-do-during-study-breaks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">that you can do during your breaks</a>, and creating opportunities for movement is an important one among them. Take a coffee break to the coffee area, visit the refrigerator for some snacks, get up from your workspace to declutter and get ready for the next session or perform a few stretches by pushing aside the chair. <h2>Keep Some Greenery</h2> Before you roll your eyes, there are actually several advantages to keeping some greenery in your workspace (not just your workspace but your entire living space, in fact). A prominent benefit is that the colour green helps one in keeping calm. The presence of plants has an <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/05/health/colorscope-green-environment-calm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">overall positive effect on us</a>. So why not spice up your workspace with some greenery? <h2>Personalise Your Space</h2> We have already established this before that a workspace is something more than a physical location to work in. It is a mental space for the individual as well. To that end, personalising our workspace is another step towards reaching a better work performance. Get personal on what colours you wish to see on your desk surface, on the lights used, on what motivational quotes you wish to see on the wall above your desk, on the music of your choice and more. Remember to not clutter your desk surface, and to not choose items that will add to your distractions, and you’ll be good to go.

Learn more about workspace optimization for enhanced productivity.

All That You Need To Know About Workspace Optimization

When it comes to study breaks, there are mostly two kinds of learners. The first kind is made up of terribly anxious students. They have trouble taking breaks, and often end up with unintentional burn-outs. On the other hand are the serial procrastinators. They take more breaks than they’ll ever study, and deadlines are their best bet at motivation. Now if you are either of these, trust me, I know how real the struggle is. Research suggests that taking breaks during studying improves your ability to focus, restores your energy, prevents you from burning-out, boosts your retention power, and reduces stress significantly. With so many benefits in line, it is clear why taking breaks while studying is important for any student. However, if breaks are all you take, then it is pretty obvious that you won’t get much studying done. To that end, given below are 21 realistic things to do during study breaks. These tips will ensure that you get over your original human inertia, have a good time during your break, get back to work on time, as well as set yourself up for an even more productive study session next. <h2>Set an alarm</h2> The first thing that you should do when you start a study break is to set an alarm that rings quite loudly after the specified time so that you don’t get carried away. This will ensure that you get back to working whenever your 5/10/15/20 minutes of break end. Resist the urge to turn off the alarm, or to give yourself “just two more minutes” as that will inevitably take you down the rabbit hole of procrastination. <h2>Leave your workspace</h2> Get away from your desk. Better yet, leave the room that you were studying in. This is an effective way to change your environment and get some physical activity as well. You can either take a walk, or take a trip to the bathroom, or visit your siblings or friends (if they are under the same roof) for some fun moments. <h2>Take a walk</h2> It can be something as simple as a walk to the balcony for some fresh air or even a garden stroll, but taking a walk clears your mind and a clear mind is a focused mind. So, grab a good pair of headphones, play your favourite upbeat music, and walk about your room or your garden wherever. The main motive is to get in a few steps. <h2>Drink water</h2> Poor hydration affects mental performance and learning ability. Staying hydrated is important if you want your brain to function properly. So, chug down a few mouthfuls of water and enjoy that cool water as it re-energizes your entire system.&nbsp; <h2>Clean your space</h2> To optimise your productivity for the next study session, make sure you re-organise your workspace during the break. A clearer desk will freshen up your mood as well. Stack up those notes, put aside those markers and pens, and clear up your workspace. <h2>Steal a snack</h2> Studying for long stretches is not just boring, it’s tiring as well. So, utilise your study breaks to feed your brain and re-energize your system. You can either go for super healthy options like fruits or salads, or indulge yourself in snacks like popcorn, crackers or chocolate chip muffins. However, it’s advisable to stay away from heavy carbohydrates or junk food as that may eventually lead to lethargy.&nbsp; <h2>Stretch</h2> Don’t have time for a walk? Chances are you have been sitting in the same position for too long, so get up and stretch your body to alleviate the tension. Crack your knuckles, stretch your legs, get up from your workspace and take a tour of the room that you are working in, put in a few push-ups, whatever suits the mood. <h2>Play some music</h2> You can never go wrong with some upbeat or classical music during your study breaks. Plug in your earphones and enjoy your break. However, I would like to acknowledge the addictive power of music here. The dopamine peaks with each beat drop might end up convincing you to keep the music playing as you work or study. Whether that is ideal or not depends on you and your self-awareness.&nbsp; <h2>Meditate</h2> Had a stressful study session? Clear your head with a minute or two of focused breaths. Close your eyes, intentionally loosen up your body and draw in a deep breath. Hold it for two seconds and exhale just as deeply. Repeat the same for as long as your break lasts, or lean into your intuition and adapt accordingly. There are several meditation techniques out there that will change your life if properly employed. <h2>Read&nbsp;</h2> Utilise your study breaks to read a few pages or a chapter of any book in your reading list. You can opt for books on topics like finances, leadership, decision sciences, happiness, relationships, and more. I would not recommend fictional books as an engaging plot might keep you turning the pages. By all means, go for it if you are sure that you can abide by the alarm to return to your studies. <h2>Create doodles</h2> This one is simple and cool. Take a spare paper and doodle whatever comes to your mind. It may be an abstract idea, or any interesting object nearby, or something completely random like leaf vines or a cartoon representation of the Sun. You will love going through them later on.&nbsp; <h2>A Duolingo lesson</h2> You can stay productive in your breaks by completing a Duolingo lesson for your target language. Each lesson takes hardly more than 5 minutes to complete (sometimes as less as just 2 minutes) and the interactive interface makes it easy and fun. It’s also a good way to maintain that streak. <h2>Plan</h2> Utilise the study break to plan for the next study session. Jot down all that still needs to be done. Prioritise the tasks and number them accordingly. Make sure that you have all the books or notes that you may require for the next study session.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Brain dumping</h2> Also known as a mental declutter or a mind spill, brain dumps are unbelievably good when it comes to cutting out the distractions in our head to focus better on our work. Visit <a href="https://philomathiq.com/post/tips-to-stop-overthinking-while-studying-or-working" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this article</a> to learn more about brain dumps and how you can introduce this habit in your daily life to improve your productivity and work output.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Pinterest boards</h2> If you too love Pinterest as the ideal platform for setting up aesthetic inspiration boards or browsing through engaging content, then here’s a task for you : Put together a Pinterest board for motivation in as little as 15 minutes. You can continue with this task for any number of breaks. Ultimately, you will have your own personal motivation board that you can always browse through to get inspired again. <h2>Quick cold shower</h2> Cold showers are really effective when it comes to “waking up” and re-energising yourself for the next work session. Taking a cold shower improves stress levels, increases alertness, decreases symptoms of anxiety, improves your mental clarity, and leaves you better equipped to focus on the tasks ahead. However, take care of the season that you’re in. <h2>Watch a Tedx talks video&nbsp;</h2> Youtube channels such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TEDxTalks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TEDx Talks</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/teded" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TED-Ed</a> are two of my favourite haunts. TEDx events are treasure houses of ingenious ideas conveyed eloquently in as little as 20 minutes. At the same time, TED-Ed is a channel with carefully curated educational videos that answer the most interesting questions ever. Head over to these TED platforms and enjoy their entertaining learning sessions.&nbsp; <h2>Play some brain games</h2> Play a round or two of games that challenge your IQ. There are a lot of online games and apps that you can choose from. Enjoy your breaks while simultaneously challenging yourself.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Read articles like these</h2> Self-improvement articles like these abound on the Internet. And if you’re on this site already, your primary aim is to better yourself in all the little ways that count. So, make it a mission to read at least one self-improvement article everyday and watch the benefits compound. <h2>Journal</h2> Use the journal prompts available on Google or on PInterest to write a mini journal entry during your study break. Maintaining a clear head while studying is not always possible. So take some time to sort out yourself during your breaks. <h2>Skincare routine</h2> Follow up with that skincare routine. Utilise your breaks to do something as simple as cleaning your face and moisturising it. Cleaning your face will increase your alertness and using a well-scented moisturiser will help your brain release those feel-good endorphins and other happy neurotransmitters. You will certainly return to your studies in a better mood. Given above are some of the best study break ideas ever. But here’s another tip: you can combine more than one of these to fit into your 5/10/15/20 minute break and enjoy it truly.&nbsp; For example, I go about my breaks by first setting a 20 minute timer, then clearing my workspace in as little as two minutes. Then I drink up a glass full of water and set up a Spotify queue for four to five songs that I am in the mood for. After a fifteen minute garden stroll (with the music playing), I come back for a quick one minute meditation. This small routine gives a structure to my breaks and allows me to be even more productive while working.&nbsp; However, let’s be frank. It’s not possible to stay so highly motivated every day of the week. So, on some days, my study breaks are me simply doodling weird shapes in the margin of my rough notebook, or simply browsing through Pinterest (without even making any motivation board or whatever).&nbsp; Avoid burnout by adding study breaks into your study routine. You may either use these study break ideas, or come up with something even more fun (and realistic) on your own.

Read this article to learn about the best activities to do during study breaks.

21 Realistic Things To Do During Study Breaks

As human beings, it’s more than natural for us to struggle with overthinking or daydreaming while working, more so when we actually want to focus on some activity for once. Students often face distractions like upcoming projects, practicals, activities, melodies, song lyrics, news articles, random observations, pending decisions, irrational fears, unresolved&nbsp;worries, and worst-case scenarios, all of which make single minded focus a far-off dream. We can’t just turn off our brains, and studying with all the uproar in our heads feels like an impossible task. This is where a mindfulness technique called “Brain Dumping” comes to our rescue. Also known as a mental declutter or a mind spill, brain dumps are unbelievably good when it comes to cutting out the distractions in our head. Given below is a simple and precise guide to the Brain Dump Technique for the overwhelmed student. I hope that what you read next helps you in whatever small measure.&nbsp; <h2>What’s a Brain Dump?</h2> Brain dumping is a variation of the mindfulness technique of journaling. Journaling is a key tool for introspection. It is generally deeper and more detailed than a brain dump. On the other hand, brain dumping is a short and simple practice that helps us merely declutter our mind. It is not a fancy exercise and often requires nothing more than a paper, a pen, and a minute or two. For such a simple activity, brain dumping relieves stress and makes “being in the moment” far easier than ever. Being in the moment is key for some happy productive work hours.&nbsp; <h2>How to brain dump effectively?</h2> All that you need to do now is “spill”. Jot down the “headlines” and “subheadings” of what’s bothering you. Sketch a rough to-do list for any pending tasks that you are afraid of forgetting. Note down the name of the friend you had to call but remembered only after you sat down to study.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are no right or wrong ways to brain dump effectively, but since we are students here, time is of the utmost importance.&nbsp; So, as you sit down to brain dump before a study session, prevent yourself from falling down the rabbit hole of vents or self-reflections (we journal for that) and keep the following in mind:&nbsp; <ol><li>Set a timer accordingly.</li><li>Use whatever means to get the point across.</li><li>Set a time to get back to your list later.</li></ol> To elaborate on the points given above… The thoughts swirling through your mind are of various types.&nbsp; Some may be as simple as an upcoming task or a problem in your workspace that you are noticing right now.&nbsp; Others may be of a more complex nature, such as a criticism from a teacher or a caretaker that felt unfair, a situation with your friends that is negatively impacting you, academic insecurities, overthinking everything that might go wrong with your future life, or ruminations on how you might turn out to be the greatest failure of the family yet (don’t worry, it happens to the best of us). Now, the complex ones are what I call the rabbit-holes. One topic leads to the other and before you know it, more than half an hour was spent just brain dumping, you didn’t even begin studying! To prevent this, set a timer for your brain dump session. It should take about 10 minutes at most. And I repeat, there are no right or wrong ways to brain dump effectively. Use whatever means necessary to get the point across.&nbsp; You may use bullet points, or you may even doodle, or use mind maps or flowcharts. You may write down mini-paragraphs for some vents or you may just jot down a word to remind yourself of a particular thing later on.&nbsp; Let it be dirty or unorganized. Remember that it’s your mind that you are organizing here. You must also remember to get back to your list later sometime. Most people prefer going through their list after their work or study session is over. Now they can act on everything that was bothering them earlier instead of letting those thoughts affect your productivity.&nbsp; You can either do the same, or you can set that as a break. Cross off the random thoughts and observations, or rectify any required things. Get up and complete any “two-minute” tasks on the dump (tasks that will take two minutes or less to complete), or organize some of the other tasks into their respective to-do lists. Recognize which particular topics need more attention and remind yourself to devote a journaling session to these topics. That’s it. These are the very basic guidelines that you need to keep in mind for a helpful brain dump session. While a 100% distraction-free study session after this is certainly never guaranteed, I sure do hope that the technique discussed here alleviates your focus by even a mere 50%. Below are some brain dump ideas to get you started...<ol><li>How are you feeling currently?</li><li>What are some potential distractions in sight?</li><li>What are some things that you absolutely need to get done by today?</li><li>What are you planning to do after this study/work session?</li><li>Any homework or assignments that you remembered just now?</li><li>What do you keep forgetting to do?</li><li>What are you worried about?</li><li>What tasks never seem to get done?</li></ol> In the end, remember that getting distracted is part of the normal human experience. What matters is how self-aware you are about it, how soon you come back to the present moment, and how you keep doing this again and again for every time that you get distracted. Happy studying ;)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Check out this under-rated mindfulness technique to stop overthinking.