Brainworks® - Life Changing Behavior Series - Part 4: Six Factors for Achieving Excellence
Life Changing Behavior Series
Part 4 of 6: Six Factors for Achieving Excellence
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
- Aristotle
- Set a realistic goal and analyze it.
- Why do you want this goal?
- What obstacles can keep you from achieving your goal?
- Write down solutions before obstacles arrive.
- Identify past failures and what stopped you from succeeding.
- What will you gain if you achieve your goal?
- Find ways to keep your focus on that goal.
- Post reminders on your wall, computer desk, andonline calendar.
- Post your progress on your personal blog.
- Clear away distractions and focus completely on the task.
- Use self-talk.
- Start ignoring any thoughts that can derail you.
- Change "I can't do this" to "I'm going to try." "If Jane can do this, I bet I can."
- Have strategies to defeat the urge to derail. Urges usually last only a minute or two. Ride out the wave.
- Think about how good it will feel when you have accomplished what you are trying to do.
- Create a support team.
- These people feed your mind on a regular basis, and your mind needs to be feed well to become a strong, confident mind.
- Adhere to the golden rule of building a support system. Hang out with people who will be your cheerleaders.
- Remove saboteurs and enablers from your support system. They tell you what you want to hear, but following their advice seems to always get you into trouble.
- Have regular rewards in place.
- Celebration of baby steps is more effective than waiting until the long-term task is completed.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
- To make your goal a habit, do it consistently for 30 days. (This is the model for achieving excellence).
Ask the Expert
Question
I need help!! I am a college freshman. I carry a full class load, and I am also a member of a sorority that performs a lot of volunteer and community work. Now my grades have really fallen, and my parents want me to drop out of my sorority. I don't want to, but I also don't know what to do about my falling grades. Can you help me?
Answer:
I think striving for excellence would help your grades and allow you to stay in your sorority. Let's use the 6 factors in this article to help you.
- Set realistic goals for each class.
Identify the obstacles stopping you from achieving these goals. Is the sorority the only obstacle or are other factors taking your focus away from academics? Ask yourself, "What will I gain if I achieve the grades I want?" - "Keep your eye on the prize."
Write down those ideal grades and place reminders all around your room - on your computer, mirror, wall or door. Also write down those grades in your school planner and on your online calendar. Blog about your new focus.
Create distraction-free zones to study. Unplug the TV. Turn off your cell phone. If your roommate is chatty, change your study place or time, so she is not a distraction. Find a quiet space on campus. - Start positive self-talk.
Remind yourself that you can improve your grades. Once your grades were higher, right? Try to remember what you did during that time to make those good grades. Recapture the good feelings you had at that time, and think about how good it will be to feel that way again. - Create a support team.
Talk to your sorority sisters that consistently have high grades. Tell them about your goal of improving your grades. Find out how they balance academic work and sorority life. Ask them to help you stay focused on your school work. - Celebrate each success, even the baby steps.
Plan a daily coffee break at Starbucks at 9 p.m. with 1-2 friends. If you have finished all your deadlines for the day, have some guilt-free fun. Rewards are vital. - Implement the 30 day strategy.
Keep "Improve my Grades" as your main focus. As you learn new habits and strategies, you will be on your way to achieving excellence.
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