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Becoming A Master Student, Tenth Edition
Dave Ellis
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| | "but,but...but I'd rather be
somewhere else!" | | | | | | | |
Even though the Power Process Be here now presents a simple idea, it can be hard to practice. For example, when we are studying a difficult concept and feel confused or bored, we might find ourselves checking out what's on TV. When our personal lives are coming apart at the seams, we might feel that focusing on a project at work is our lowest priority. When we just don't feel like doing the work in front of us, our minds can think of a thousand other things that seem far more appealing.
Here are a few ideas to experiment with when being here now is a challenge.
Balance short-term gratification with long-term goals
We've all experienced times when short-term pleasure conflicts with steps we could take to achieve long-term goals. In one moment we might choose to watch TV instead of work on a term paper. At another time we might choose to study while a group of friends goes to a movie. Postponing immediate gratification often leads to burnout. And always choosing immediate gratification will compromise long-term goals. Most of us want the fun of immediate gratification and the joy of achieving long-term goals. The trick is to strike a balance.
Choose using both feelings and logic
Some people are run by their feelings. The strength of their emotions overpowers other useful considerations. Other people are so convinced that logic is the most effective tool when making decisions that they deny themselves the wisdom of their feelings. Effective students consider both feelings and logic before making decisions. They are slaves to neither. They are free to fully experience their feelings and to consider the logical factors involved.
Manage your thoughts
Thoughts that distract us from being here now can be persistent. Often, the more we fight them, the stronger they become. An alternative to resisting unwanted, random thoughts is to gently let them go and replace them with others that are more useful.
For example, if we notice we are thinking about how hard a task is going to be, we can let that thought go and begin to think about how proud we will be when the task is completed. If we find ourselves thinking that we don't want to do something, we can think about how doing it will help us get what we want. Or if an assignment seems really stupid, instead of continuing to be upset and angry about it, we can remember that completing it well will help us achieve our goals.
Divide and conquer
Taking on a huge task-like earning a degree or changing careers-can seem overwhelming. The amount of thought, skill, and work involved can overpower us. We can feel helpless and set up for defeat. We can also remember the age-old wisdom that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. When we don't feel up to cleaning the entire house, we can clear off the coffee table. When we can't imagine spending hours to complete a term paper, we can start by setting a goal to narrow our choice of a topic to three possibilities. Succeeding at one small part of a big job allows us to see that by taking one step at a time, we'll achieve the goal.
Make it fun
When you want to focus your attention on a task you're avoiding, invite someone to watch you. It's often easier to be here now when another person is looking on than to tackle the task alone.
Invite another person to join your "be here now" team and agree to complete a dreaded assignment together. When both of you finish it, take yourselves out bowling or determine some other prize to be shared.
When reading a textbook is testing your ability to be here now, pretend that you are going to be an expert on the subject. Imagine teaching it to a group of admiring students.
Write your next speech at a lakeside cabin or at some other unusual location. Dictate your first draft into a microcassette recorder as you go for a walk, or draft your speech in different colored inks. Rehearse your speech in front of a videotape recorder and critique your presentation.
Compete with yourself to set a new personal world record for a particular task, or find some other interesting way to make the task more fun.
Make check marks
While you are engaged in an activity where pencil and paper are readily available, you can make a check mark every time you notice that your mind has strayed. As you practice being here now, you might be surprised to notice that tasks get completed with fewer and fewer check marks.
Take a break
Quit fighting it. Stop and do something that is easy, relaxing, or fun for a while. Recharge your batteries and return with renewed energy and commitment.
Be somewhere else
Like all tools, "be here now" can be abused. When we use it to pull us forward, to enhance joy, and to improve the quality of our lives, it's wonderful. When we use it to maintain choices, promises, and commitments that have turned into unwanted obligations and suffering, perhaps it's time to make new promises and find new commitments.
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