The Surprising Benefits of Going on a Silent Retreat

You've probably heard of silent retreats, right? They are quiet places where you stay silent the entire time. I just got back from my first one that lasted a weekend.

It was everything you would expect - serene, peaceful, and calm.

And that's why I went. I wanted to rest and recharge myself before a new semester. I was also curious if I could unplug and rest for that long. I am a "go, go, go" kind of person with endless to-do lists and priorities, even on the weekends. So this was a perfect chance to be at peace and work on my own meditation and spirituality practice.

There were several surprising benefits of going on the retreat too.

The most surprising part was meal time and the lack of "small talk." At my retreat, there were 14 of us total. Typically at a social gathering, you start to introduce yourself and find out reasons why the other people are there. Sometimes you meet someone really interesting, but usually it is a lot of exhausting "small talk." Not at silent retreat. We ate our meals in silence and I had to just speculate and wonder what the background was of all the other attendees. That was surprisingly refreshing. I didn't have to introduce myself over and over again. I didn't have to be slightly irritated with someone's comment about what I do. And there was no one to get distracted with their phone instead of talking to me. We just ate. I really liked it.

The ability to appreciate that the day was my own and only my own.

It's amazing how you don't realize what makes up the majority of your day. People email me, wanting replies. My dogs want to be fed and want attention. Students have questions. A friend needs an RSVP. I need to be home to receive a package. All of those things are little things, but they add up quickly. And so spending a weekend where no one and nothing needed me? It was such a relief. And I lead a pretty relaxing life! I can only imagine how this could help busy parents.

A lot of deeper thoughts need true quality time.

I'll liken this to completing a puzzle or untangling a ball of yarn. Fifteen minutes here or there just isn't going to cut it. I needed time to really think about what I want to accomplish this semester. It reminds me of how Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy recommend that you dedicate an entire day to creating your life plan in their book, "Living Forward." You need time for ideas to bounce around and thoughts to emerge. Give yourself the time to do it instead of being distracted all of the time.

You can always surprise yourself.

I'll admit, I was unsure if I could "not talk" for an entire weekend. I'm such a talker! But I was never going to find out if I could do it - unless I tried. So I jumped right in and tried it. I made it. And it was just another reminder that I should "never say never." When people tell me, "I could never do that," I ask, "How do you know?" Try it out - see what happens. THEN report back!

And finally, the people who need this the most are probably the most resistant to go.

Of course I had time to think about who in my life would like to go on silent retreat and who wouldn't. You really have to like yourself enough to be alone with your thoughts. And if those thoughts scare you or you like to live a life of distraction, a silent retreat would be really difficult. The people in my life who don't even realize they are distracted 99% of the time would be the ones I would most recommend it to.

So would you go on a silent retreat? What do you think you would like about it?

The Right Mindset for Back to School

"Can you believe we already have to go back to school?"

These are the phrases we use as students (and teachers) everywhere this time of year. "Ugh, I can't believe my summer disappeared." Or "I have to start going to class again."

But what if we shifted what we say, just slightly?

One of my favorite productivity experts, Michael Hyatt, wrote about this idea earlier this year. Instead of saying, "we have to," what if we say, "we get to."

"I get to go back to school on Monday."

See the difference? It's subtle, but it takes the dread out of the sentence and shifts our mindset. Now we have something to look forward to. Now we remember that we chose to do this. We get to go back to something we are choosing to do. Again, true for both students and teachers. You might say, "Oh no, I HAVE to go school so I can get this degree...get that job...because my parents are forcing me..." the list goes on and on.

Stop and think about all the people in the world who would love to be in your shoes.

I don't say that to make you feel guilty, but to remind you of the privilege of education. Around the globe, millions of people do not have the opportunity to go to school, whether they want to be there or not. It is a privilege to be getting ready to go back to school. By using "get to" instead of "have to," we remind ourselves of that privilege.

"I get to wake up, go to school, and learn something. What a privilege."

You don't have to run around saying, "Wow, I'm SO EXCITED to go back to school," either to get into the right mindset. Just the word "get" is what changes things.

Now for the record, I am the teacher that runs around excited about the first day of school. It's the best day of the year if you ask me. Everyone is well rested, at least somewhat interested in the newness of the year, and everything is so fresh! School supplies - don't get me started on how much I love those! Yep, just quickly walk away. Nothing to see here.

What else do you "get to do" today? Share below in the comments!

Inspiration to Keep Going When You Want to Throw in the Towel

All this talk about the Olympics has me thinking about how much the athletes have accomplished and will accomplish during their event. It is amazing to watch their stamina and skill. Lots of people are posting about past Olympic events and the feats of accomplishment.

Have you seen this clip from Derek Redmond's 1992 race?

What pain and agony he must have felt.

Watching that clip for the first time brought tears to my eyes. First, the pain he must have experienced when his hamstring tore. Then, the pain he felt while trying to get back up and run. The emotional pain sinking in was really powerful. Can you imagine training that hard and for so long to have the chance of winning disappear in an instant?

But he got back up and finished the race.

I'm pretty sure if my hamstring tore like that in front of thousands of people and surrounded by medical care - I'd be more than happy to be taken off the track on a stretcher. "That's it! I give up!" How many times have we said that to ourselves about our goals? "I'm done!" But Derek took a few seconds and got right back up.

And he didn't finish it alone. He had support.

It was Derek's father that ran down to help him. Derek didn't have to fend off any officials - his dad did it for him. And his father talked to him as he finished. Having a support system, whoever it might be, is so crucial to finishing our goals and accomplishments. Who do you rely on for support in your life? Does it vary depending on the goal?

So the next time you're feeling like throwing in the towel and giving up...

Remember Derek Redmond. He knew he wanted to finish that race and so he did it. You can keep going with your goals too and make it happen. Build your support system and remind yourself of the reasons why you want to finish your goal. You can read more details about Derek's race here. And tell us below in the comments how his story inspired you!

What happens when you get derailed from your goals?

Have you ever made an awesome set of plans and goals?

You made a long to do list. Or finally had that conversation with your parents about your future. Or you declared to the world on social media that you are going to accomplish your goal no matter what. Nothing can get in your way!

And then those plans quickly get derailed.

You have to work over time. Your family plans a surprise that takes up your time. You get sick. Motivation goes right out the window and it feels like you made those plans for nothing. Your long checklist now feels impossible. Sometimes a rough day turns into a rough month or year.

Feeling completely derailed from your goals is a case of "all or nothing" thinking.

Once we get derailed from our goals, it is easy to throw our hands up in the air and say, "Well, I give up." If we don't start our plan exactly on the day or time we intended, we decide to give up on the entire month. Or if we check a few things off our to do list, but ignore the rest for a few days, we crumple the list up and forget about it.

All or nothing thinking is also referred to as black or white thinking. Read more about it in this article. Either "I'm going to accomplish this exactly the way I intended and do it perfectly" or "I won't do it at all." That's too simplistic. We all fall for this cognitive trap sometimes.

Instead, recognize there are may be multiple layers to accomplishing your goals.

Alright, so maybe you didn't get to studying yesterday for that upcoming quiz. But that doesn't mean the whole thing is ruined. Study today - even if it is only for fifteen minutes. Or if you were starting a new sleep habit and got distracted for a few weeks - try it again tonight.

Little habits and actions add up to a lot of change in the long run.

Every action and habit adds up over time, even when you skip a few days or get derailed. The most important part is to get back on track. Don't view the derailment as a catastrophe - just view it as one step. Two steps backwards and one step forward, right? You can even reach out to someone in your life who motivates you and can get you excited again about getting back on track.

Recommit yourself to your goals.

And tell us in the comments - what else has helped you get back on track when you get derailed? 

The Danger of "I'll Be Happy When..."

Almost all of us have said at some point, "I'll be happy when..."

• I make more money.

• I start working full-time.

• I find a romantic partner.

• I get out of debt.

• I figure out what I'm doing with my life.

Sound familiar? Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky wrote an entire book about the topic titled, "The Myths of Happiness." Most of the book is geared at adults who are over 30, but I think the idea especially applies to young adults. So many of my students say, "I'll be happy when I finish school and graduate."

But really, waiting for the 'when' means you aren't paying attention to right now.

Why can't you be happy right now, in this moment? Step back and think about what you are grateful for, even if there is a lot to look forward to. What is pleasant in your life? Do you get to spend time with friends? Or have the ability to stay up late, get up early for work, and still be able to do your job in the morning? Do you have people you love? What about a favorite song that just came out? These are the little moments that make up right now.

Can you look back on a moment in your life and say, "I should have enjoyed those moments more"?

That's the same idea here. If you can think about a moment in your past wistfully - some day this moment too will be a memory like that. Memory fades a lot of the tension, anxiety, and drama that comes with the day to day. That's why a lot of older adults look back fondly on being a young adult and say things like, 'Enjoy it while it lasts!" Forgetting about feeling like you have no money and are stressed out all the time, just 'waiting for your life to begin.'

As you reflect, there will always be more "whens" in your future.

When I think about the "whens" I imagined when I was twenty years old, I'm pretty sure I have accomplished most of them. I'm literally living my "happily ever after." But it would be really easy for me to get caught in new "whens." I'll be happy when I pay this off, when I reach this career milestone, when the nieces and nephews are all grown up. But I stop and remind myself about the "myths of happiness." Instead, I remember to be mindful and practice gratitude. The Greater Good Science Center has a long list of ways to cultivate happiness in healthy, productive ways. I encourage you to check it out.

And tell us below in the comments - what "when" statement resonates with you?

How to Find Out All the Details About That Potential Career

Do you ever find yourself wondering about the salary of a career you're considering? Or what a person actually does, day to day in that career? There are lots of questions you might have about that career title.

The U.S. Department of Labor collects all of this data and shares it for free on an easy to use website:

http://www.onetonline.org/

The O*Net Online website is what I consider an under utilized treasure trove. Most young adults I work with have never heard of it before. But it contains all of these wonderful details!

Here's one of my favorite examples - genetic counselors. Did you know this is currently a career with a "bright outlook" (careers that have openings, room for growth, etc)? 

Apparently all genetic counselors have their master's degree and their median wage in 2015 was $72,090. I can even click "local salary info" to learn more about salaries broken down by region and state. Their work values include "relationships" and "achievement." They use both email and face-to-face discussions every day. Genetic counselors are good at reading comprehension and critical thinking.

That whole paragraph was just from a quick scan of the O*Net website. 

I don't even know any genetic counselors personally, but reading the details on O*Net gives me a clearer picture of that occupation.

If you don't have a particular occupation title in mind, you can search by categories. There are thousands of occupation titles I didn't even know existed! I bet you could find the same thing to be true if you explored the website yourself. Or if you're in a current occupation, read the details about that position to make comparisons across the United States. There are many ways to use the O*Net Online website. I'm just on a mission to share it with all young adults!

So tell us in the comments - what's something new you learned from the O*NET Website?

Why It's Difficult to be Around People who are on a Clear Path

It can be really difficult to be around people who know exactly what they are doing with their lives.

When you ask for advice or talk about your own path, they make a lot of vague statements:

"You just have to find your passion!"

"You'll figure it out in time."

"Everything happens for a reason."

"Just believe in yourself."

Ever heard those cliches before?  They are everywhere. And the people that say them intend all the best.

But when you're struggling to find your path, hearing cliches is difficult.

Instead, I like to delve into learning more about other people and their stories. I'd rather hear the details of your story than ask for direct advice. Especially because most people don't know how to give direct advice - they give cliches instead. But they do know how to tell their own story. And we can learn from it.

Think about someone famous that you admire.

Where did they start? Did they always have success? What was their journey? For example, one of my favorite 'famous' people is Gretchen Rubin. She is well known now for her books and podcast about happiness, but before that - she was a lawyer. And she was someone who I started following right after she wrote her first book about happiness. Before she was a household name and inspiring millions. I have watched her journey and can admire her passion and focus. Because she shares so many personal stories in her writing, I feel like I know she hasn't always had a 'clear path' and linear focus. But it's only through reading her material that I've learned this about her.

We don't always have the chance to really learn more about 'famous people.'

So let's think about the unsung heroes in our every day lives that are on a clear path with passion and focus.  Maybe it is a friend, a coworker, or a relative.

This week, try asking the people in your life some specific questions about their journey and see where the conversation takes you:

1. Tell me about a time you struggled at work.

2. What would you say are your top three priorities in life?

3. What's the best thing that has happened to you in the past year?

4. What's the worst thing that has happened to you in the past year?

5. Where do you want to be in five years (or ten years, etc) from now?

Through these conversations, it just might be easier to relate and learn something from their path that can help your own.

Asking deeper questions just might help prevent you from hearing a standard cliche.

Want to take the next step toward achieving your personal and professional goals? Check out the top five books I recommend to level up your life! Just leave your details below.

How Do You Know What To Pursue? Lilies versus Leeches

Do you ever feel like you don't know which projects or passions to follow?

Recently I was watching a great video by Marie Forleo where she featured Dr. Ned Hallowell on her show. They talked about how sometimes we get so busy with so many projects and passions that it can be difficult to sort them all out.

So consider whether the project is a lily or a leech.

According to Dr. Hallowell, a lily is a person or project that is worth it. Something you are really passionate about and excited to jump into. Maybe someone asks you to play in the band on Friday night. You might enthusiastically say yes because it is a lily. Something that you feel is worth it. Sure, it might be a lot of work, but at the end of the gig, you'll say it was completely worth it.

On the other hand, there are leeches, or people and projects that are not worth it. Think about what a leech is - something that sucks the blood out of you. Perhaps an irritating friend asks you for a favor they could do themselves. You regretfully say yes and then wonder why you're doing the favor instead of doing something you love. Leeches take up our time and too many of them distract us from lilies. And not everyone has the same set of lilies and leeches. In fact, one person's leech could be another person's lily!

So choosing lilies over leeches is the way to go when thinking about a new project.

But what if there are so many lilies to choose from?

Many of us struggle with the possibility of too many lilies. Sure, you could play in that band Friday night, or hang out with friends, or help your little sister with her project, or take a new baking course, or...or...or.  Choosing too many lilies means too many flowers in the garden though. Too many flowers crowd each other out and get suffocated. Saying yes to everything means not being able to dedicate enough time to one project, letting it blossom and grow. So choose wisely and prioritize those lilies.

Action Step - Make a list of your lilies and leeches. Which can be eliminated?

Take the action step with me!  What are your lilies and leeches? Can you remove any leeches, which makes more room for lilies?  And can you reduce your number of lilies, so you can focus your energy on the people or projects that matter most?  Post below in the comments so we can share and strategize together!

You're Not Average - How to Stop Trying So Hard to Be Average

Have you ever looked up an average and compared yourself to it?

We all have. As a researcher, I can spout off a lot of average statistics from memory. But I just finished a new book titled, "The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness," by Todd Rose. In it he argues that we have become a society of averagarians. We're constantly comparing ourselves and others to the 'average.' We compare average salaries, average age of marriage, averages on standardized tests, average levels of happiness - the list goes on and on.

You are not average and no one else is either.

Dr. Rose spells out both the history and mathematical equations behind averages. It is actually very, very rare to fit the average. That doesn't seem to make sense, does it? Averages are supposed to represent everyone. But really, they represent no one. Take the average body, for example. Maybe your height is the average for your age, but your weight is far from it. Many dimensions make up the 'average body' that are impossible to be average on every aspect.

And it isn't just about being a special snowflake.

At first this might sound like the now classic way we've been teaching children that they are all unique and everyone is a special snowflake!  But it's not. While we have been saying that for decades now, we haven't actually been living it. We love averages and comparing students based on rank order and sameness. As a society, we look at grade point averages to get into college and degrees completed to be hired. But instead of pretending to value uniqueness, Dr. Rose argues we need to truly embrace it and stop comparing ourselves to a non-existent average.

There are three principles to help you focus on your individuality.

First, recognize that you have a lot of talent that doesn't fit into little boxes (the "jaggedness principle"). Maybe you weren't an A student in school and that has led to you to think you're 'below average.' But being an A student wasn't all there was to school. What did you enjoy? What were you good at? Maybe you rocked one class and excelled in that. There were sports and friends and clubs too. Make a list of your talents - anything and everything.

Second, stop calling yourself titles that don't really exist (the "context principle"). We love to go around saying things like, "I'm an introvert." And that leads us to excluding ourselves from opportunities where we could strive. Are you truly always acting introverted in every situation? Probably not. A lot of what we do is context dependent. So it depends on the situation you are in. My students are great at this. They act one way in the classroom and if I see them walking across, talking to friends, they appear to be acting in a completely different way.  Of course! We all are different depending on the context. Don't let it limit you.

Third, stop believing in one path (the "pathways principle").  Too often I hear people say, "And so I'll go to college, graduate, get a good paying job, get married, buy a house..." The list goes on to follow some perfectly packaged path. But does anyone truly follow an average pathway? Nope. Todd Rose himself was a high school dropout who ended up with a Ph.D. from Harvard. That's definitely unique. You too have a unique story. Own it.

Using these principles will help you break free from trying to fit an average.

I know I need to work on remembering these principles after reading the book. I highly recommend the book or his TEDx Talk (if you have 20 minutes to spare, but not hours). Based on what I have said so far, what do you think? How can you use these principles in your own life? Share it in the comments or connect with me. Let's hear your story!

Why You're More Productive Than You Think (And Just Need Clarity)

So you think you have a problem with productivity.

Almost everyone struggles with productivity.  We want to be superhuman and accomplish all the things all the time! But that's really difficult. When you do finally find the time to work on something important to you, you feel like you're not using your time wisely. And that makes you look into productivity tips and hacks around the web, including finding this blog post. And you get into a cycle of thinking you have a productivity problem.

Yet there are tasks you complete everyday.

Make a list of the tasks you do everyday. What are they? How often do they occur?  Tasks that you actually complete tend to be both urgent and important. I will pay this bill today (important) because it is due by midnight (urgent). I will drive my sister to practice right now (urgent) because she relies on me for a ride (important). I bet you will find dozens of examples of tasks you regularly complete because they are both urgent and important. (Note - If you're struggling to get out of bed or complete anything on a daily basis, please seek out medical care.)

This concept of urgent and important is part of a larger matrix known as the Eisenhower Box, crafted after President Eisenhower's ideas on productivity and time management.  A great visualization and spreadsheet example lives over on James Clear's website.

But the tasks that gnaw at you are the ones that keep getting pushed aside.

These tasks are important to you, but not really urgent. I think I should exercise (no urgency, but important for your health).  My friends mean the world to me (important), so I'd like to call them more often (no urgency). I really want to make a difference in this world (important), but I don't know how to make it pay my bills (not urgent to figure it out).  We all have hopes and dreams of goals we would like to accomplish, from big to small.

So tasks that aren't important or urgent keep getting in your way.

Instead of prioritizing our time for the bigger goals, we get lost in the tasks that are neither important or urgent.  Things like scrolling through all of our Snapchat updates (or other social media).  Binge watching the latest television show (is that really on your bucket list?).  Mostly tasks and things that could actually be deleted or dropped from our lives. If we truly valued them, we would consider them as important as treat them accordingly. Instead, they should just be eliminated from our priorities and goals.

There are tricks for making yourself do the things that are important to you.

Force yourself to make them urgent. Get into the mentality of "I must do it today." Each day adds up to your overall goal. How can each goal be broken down into something that must occur regularly?  "I want to exercise" could turn into "It is important for me to exercise and I must complete it every other day in order to see results." Be specific about your goals and include an accountability partner if it helps you.  A coach can help you target these steps as well.  Anything that can make your goal urgent will help it move into the box of things that actually get done.

Next time you think you have a productivity problem, think of your goals where they fit in the Eisenhower Box.

If your goals need realigned in the Eisenhower Box, do it! 

Now it's time to share. What tricks do you use to make tasks both urgent and important? Please comment below.

Want to get on track and stop procrastinating? Get access to my tips for reclaiming your time with the form below.

Have you ever tried mindful meditation?

Have you ever tried mindfulness meditation? I mean, really tried it? The scientific evidence is all over the news about the benefits of meditation. Meditation can help you physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Two of the biggest benefits are increased concentration and a healthier immune system.

And it doesn't have to involve sitting in a funny pose or a long amount of time. Just 10-15 minutes a day can be beneficial. Want to hear a reason to start? Andy Puddicombe breaks in down in one of my all time favorite TED talks.

I have been dabbling in meditation myself for about 5 years now and this summer I have committed again to 15 minutes a day. I enjoy guided meditations and have found YouTube to be helpful for finding good ones. 

Here is one that has been helping me jump start a positive beginning to my day:

One of my favorite apps that makes meditation feel like a daily 'game' is Headspace. It costs money per month, but the check in features and progress updates really kept me motivated to stick with it when I used it on my smartphone. It was created by Andy Puddicombe, the speaker I mentioned above.

So are you ready to try it? Don't save up for the perfect time to do it - just try it. Right now if you're in a quiet space. Or first thing in the morning. Anywhere that is just comfortable enough, but not too comfortable so that you fall asleep. Try it out and report back here to tell us how you felt and how you are going to stick with it!

5 Books to Read Right Now for Self Improvement

Self improvement books are one of my favorite things to read and share. It is almost a guarantee that if someone asks me about a particular topic, I have a book to recommend. And for friends and family, if it is close to a holiday, I am probably buying the book for them. Cue the eye rolling from my sisters when another Amazon package shows up on their doorstep.

Here on the blog I want to share my top recommendations for self improvement books to read right now. Choose one that you find appealing and dive right in. I recommend these books because they are based on current research and/or written by experts in their respective fields.

The How of Happiness by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky

I read this book as part of a women's happiness group in graduate school. The author is an expert in the field and writes about happiness a friendly, easy to read way. At the same time, she does not sugarcoat happiness or guarantee that you will be happy all the time after reading this book. Instead, she includes action steps for each of the ways to improve happiness. So you can jump right in and implement a strategy into your life. Absolutely a must read if you have any interest in understanding happiness!

Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy

This is a new book that I just finished myself. The theme of reflection and writing to your future self has really taken off in the past couple of years. In this book, the authors provide a strategy for considering where you want your life to go in the future. You start with the end in mind by writing your eulogy (a favorite exercise among developmental scientists) and create action plans to work towards life fulfillment. It is a short little book that requires a lot of homework, but well worth it.

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is one of my favorite people of all time - I have seen her speak (in person) twice. This is her latest book, which really delves into a lot of research about how to become a better version of yourself. She breaks down the four tendencies, or categories of behaviors that tend to explain how we operate on a daily basis. Read the book so you can reflect on your own tendencies and how the people in your life have similar or different tendencies. Me - I'm totally an "upholder!"

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

When people want to change or improve their lives, sometimes they forget the basics. We don't usually need radical changes in our lives. We need to adjust our habits. Charles Duhigg explores habits and tells relevant stories throughout the book to help us understand how we use habits everyday. I have found the more consistent my habits, the easier it is to be creative.

Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck

The science of mindsets has almost made its way into mainstream media, but not quite yet. Do you know the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset? Dr. Dweck is the leading researcher in the field and she breaks it down in a friendly way in her book.  Without the belief that you can change and grow, it is nearly impossible to make upward progress.

So that's my short list for now. Which one do you want to read? Or have you already read one of these and loved it? Do you have another recommendation for me? Leave a comment below so we can talk about books!

How to Create a Productive Summer for College Students

So you've had some time off from school, enjoying sleeping in or focusing on your job without papers to write or exams to take.  It's a glorious feeling, until you start to realize that time is already flying by and you have a list of things you want to accomplish this summer.  How can you possibly be productive with all of these distractions and sometimes unlimited free time?

When I was a student, I would feel the same way.  Often I would stay up late, sleep in, and wonder what I was going to do with my day starting around 12pm.  I would try to set big goals like applying for as many jobs as possible without clear deadlines.  And all too often, I would get sucked into some TV show or something to read on the internet.  My days slipped by and I wondered why I was able to get more done during the school year, when I was really busy.

Sound familiar?  You don’t have to have that kind of summer!  I wish I had followed this advice when I was in college.  Here are a list of three actionable items to help you create the productive summer you want:

1.  Set a consistent bedtime.  Yep, I’m serious.  Going to bed at the same time every night helps you wake up at the same time every day, so you feel well rested and ready to schedule your day.  Sometimes I hear people say, “I want to go to bed at 2am and wake up by 6am so I can be productive!”  That’s not going to happen.  You’re going to keep hitting snooze and then start your day feeling guilty, wondering why you didn’t get up.  Consistent sleep can change your life – figure out what could be stopping you from sleeping at night.

2.  Make your summer goals SMART.  SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.  Instead of saying, “I’m going to apply for as many jobs as possible tomorrow,” make it SMART.  Say, “Tomorrow I will apply for three jobs already on my list by 5pm.”  This makes the task easier to accomplish and gives you a time frame.  Instead of spending your entire morning avoiding applying for jobs, you know that if you complete three (as you said in your goal), you’ll be done for the day.  Then you can cruise YouTube videos without any guilt and prevent the cycle of feeling miserable for not accomplishing anything. 

3.  Use apps to help you focus your time.  Feel like you spend too much time on Pinterest?  Or any other website?  Instead of beating yourself up for getting sucked in, create external barriers.  I have a daily time limit on Facebook for 30 minutes.  No, I don’t track that time myself.  I use an app called StayFocusd, a free extension on my browser.  I get to choose all the settings.  But once my time is up, it’s up.  Something else is preventing me from spending too much time on a website.  No willpower required.

So what do you think of these three tips?  What else has been useful for you in creating a productive summer?