Don't Smile until November

Don’t smile until November!!! (???)

Okay, that was advice to me when I started teaching at the collegiate level.  The meaning (or so I think) was to focus on learning - and let the fun and play come later. 

Dear Students (and all of us):

We have a goal, a passion, a purpose in our lives.

Now, for students that goal is to get a degree!!  It might be nice to go to the game, kegger, play video games, date and be social - BUT … you are here to get a degree!!!  (For my adult readers, that goal might be to successfully, competently, and pleasantly complete the work before us.)  

Aside, when I’m writing my blogs or doing ‘serious’ work, I can slip out of work and play a few games of solitaire or work on my German.  I can justify this as taking a little break. BUT … when the two minute break becomes an hour, I am just procrastinating!! Fun and games can come later.  If my day ends and what I wanted to accomplish didn’t get done because I ‘indulged’ myself with games and distractions, they it wasn’t a purpose-filled day.  

(“Hey, Get Your Blog written first” - then you can relax.)

My freshman experience:

I was scared I was going to flunk out.  I was going to go back home as a failure.  People would point on me on the sidewalk and whisper behind my back “he flunked out of college”.

I was so scared, that during that first semester at college, I didn’t allow for many distractions.  When friends on my residence hall floor (aka ‘dorm’) said - “Hey we’re going for ice cream”; “Why don’t you come with us to the concert?” “We’re going to the gym to shoot some baskets - come join us”. I said “NO”.  

For every hour in class, I spent three to five hours outside of class.  It was before spreadsheets, but I had a weekly chart above my desk showing times I was in class, studying, sleeping or eating - and not much else.  

I aced my first math test (and was the first one done - and that with double checking all my answers).  My other classes fell into place and I got great grades the first semester.  

I did have friends (including Jim from my hometown) that did flunk out and went home.  But, it wasn’t me.  

My campus didn’t have Phi Beta Kappa - the national collegiate honor society, but it did have the ‘Purple Key” society (the local version of the academic society).  I graduated with high honors and (of course), went on (eventually to getting a Ph.D.).  

But, I learned to say ‘no’ - I learned how to study.  And, after that first semester, I kept my grades high - AND - I had immense fun - as a fraternity member, Student Senate member, band member, and many other organizations and groups.

So, don’t smile until November is my keyword for getting the most important things done, and then smile, play, have fun, go out, socialize, and enjoy life.  

Steven Covey in “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” says “Put First Things First”.

Do you do that?

Karen