I’ve got a closet full of educational books and an audible library full of great content. But making time to actually read, or listen to these books can be a challenge when you’re somewhat time constraint. So in this post I’m sharing my habits on the ins and outs of how I am trying to better my skills, lead by example AND how I try to hold myself accountable. Here’s what’s in this post:
Smart Entertainment
For smarter and better content consumption I’have adopted some new habits to make sure I don’t consume useless content and endlessly scroll on social media. Here are my tips:
- Unsubscribe from useless email newsletters that don’t have content you don’t read, use or vibe with. Don’t let your focus get distracted by pointless content and if possible just unsubscribe from the list if you rarely even open the email or if you generally ignore their content. Allow yourself to get really focused and remove distractions like these.
- Delete all time consuming useless apps from your phone’s home screen and only have useful apps that you regularly use on the home screen. Instead, download some smart education apps.
- Download 2 or 3 smart education apps. If you feel the need to scroll on your phone (yes I have this weird urge sometimes as well) set yourself up for success and have “smart education” apps at the ready. Have you ever asked yourself how much you could do with your time if you did not spend it on social media? instead of wasting time scrolling and looking for that dopamine hit, force yourself to “learn something new instead”. Apps like Ted, Khan Academy and EDX offer FREE educational, inspirational, and motivational information / content that will actually make you smarter, improve your knowledge and perhaps change your point of view. If you’re keen to challenge your brain you can also download DuoLingo and learn a new language in a play like manner.
- I’m no longer listening to certain podcasts that I previously loved. Now as I’m somewhat time constraint, I only listen to very informational, positive, motivational podcasts – plus I’m listening to them at 1.2 speed! YES Saves you a bit of time too… Perhaps you can even do it at 1.5 x speed!
- Have a book besides your bed. Instead of scrolling on your phone before going to bed, or watching Netflix, simply hide the TV remote and read a book instead. It’s best to put your phone away 1 or 2 hours before bedtime, in order to get a good deep sleep. If things pop into your mind you desperately need to enter into your phone, simply have an old school piece of paper and pen at the ready on your bedside table for any time time reminders that pop into your head.
Continued Education
At all times I make sure that I’m continuing my education in the form of either an online or face to face (accredited course). Currently I’m 49% through my Montessori Education Course “Endorsed Montessori Professional Learning Package – With Certification (MTA055)” which I am enjoying very much. So any time I feel “I want something to do” or “I have a few spare minutes” I jump on the online learning portal and read, watch or listen to some education chapters.
If you’re looking for some great online education courses, check out:
edX Online Learning – Get Started for Free Today
Khan Academy Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice
If you are seeking to up skill in a specific area, you may also want to connect with your industry board and link in with their professional ongoing development. For example in the fitness industry you can connect with Physical Activity Australia which are a fitness registration body, or check out Fitness Australia ongoing education courses.
Mindful Reflection & Journalling
At the end of the day, there are a few vital points about keeping busy with education oneself. It’s really not about how much content you consume, and what you learn, but it is really about how you apply this content. If you keep on learning and reading, but not implementing anything, then you’re simply consuming, and not “really learning”.
So to keep myself accountable, I hold myself to my “personal plan” to make sure I do as I said I was going to do.
For example, at the end of the month, I will do a financial review, and also will write in my journal to make sure I’m on track with my personal goals, as well as my financial goals. If you’re more a digital person, you can try “Day One” app which is wonderful I also use this as it’s a great way to add photos and videos, but to me there’s something really therapeutic about writing with pen on paper.
Here are some journalling questions you can use for your weekly / monthly reflection:(simply put a reminder in your calendar that repeats weekly / monthly)
- Where did I spend most my time this week? And have my actions brought my closer to my goals (that I outlined in my personal plan).
- Where have I been this week / month? This will help you bring awareness to where you have spent time, and whether you’ve done things that fill you up, or whether you have spent too much time on things / people that do not bring you joy, or lighten you up.
- What goals have you reached this week / month?
- What is the focus for next week? Make a plan for yourself and align your actions with your goals for the week ahead so you know what time to spend where.
Mindfulness
Throughout some points of my day, when I am for example stuck in traffic or out walking with the dogs, my mind tends to wander off and I try to “mindfully catch myself” and bring myself back to awareness. There are times of the month where I tend to feel more anxious, and when I catch myself with this feeling, I will use some simple mindfulness techniques as:
- Mindful 5: What can I see, hear smell, feel, and taste? This technique literally brings me back to the present moment, and disconnects me temporarily from the feelings of anxiety.
- This is a technique I heard from Eckhart Tolle: What if I applied NO meaning to the current situation and accepted it just as it is? For example if you’re waiting in queue and it’s not progressing, or if you’re on hold and you have to wait 45 minutes… What if you just asked yourself kindly, “What if I applied no meaning / label to the current situation and just viewed it for what is?”
How does this make me a better person and a better mum?
Being a mum, wife, dog breeder and coach IS SO BUSY! But rewarding…
It is so important I don’t lose myself in either of these areas of life, and for my own health and happiness, that I stay focused on “doing me” and focusing on my very own goals and keep chasing my vision and mission. On top of that, bettering my skills is something I want my daughter to see and therefore I’m trying to lead my example as this is one of the important values in our unschooling journey.
I feel that we are here on this planet to learn, grow, share and fulfil our mission. You have a brilliant brain which LOVES to learn. It is about bettering ourselves so that we can gain new skills, insights and perspectives, which in turn can help us fulfil our mission and follow our personal plan.
I hope this inspired you to maybe try one of these options to help you improve a skill, look after yourself, and prioritise yourself and your own health and learning and development.
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