Whoa. Another long study day. This reminds me why I hate being the bad, leave it to the end kind of student. (Though I am grateful that I was able to enjoy more time with my family and friends this semester!) These types of days are taxing. Emotionally (am I going to get through it all?), intellectually (can I understand and cram it in?) and physically (sitting this long in one spot for two days in a row?).
Today it’s been a full 13 hour day. I ate breakfast and lunch at my dining room table…which, if you recall from yesterday, is now my oversized desk to study from. Near the end of the day, I think I read the same two pages over three times before the information sank in. I’m slow now and eager to crash into bed. But before I do….I wanted to share today’s moment.
My moment - pausing to listen to the whistling spring winds this afternoon. My windows, which were wide open for a good portion of the morning, needed to be shut to a crack because it became so wildly windy. They were open enough for me to hear the wind play. I could hear the big maple in the front creaking from the forceful wind. I could hear the wind whipping through between the houses as it whistled past my side windows. I paused and imagined myself outside, my hair thrashing around me and in my face. My eyes watering from the cool spring air. I breathed in the breeze as it pushed past the narrow opening of my window. Yes, today the wind caught my attention. It was a lovely distraction. The only one I allowed today.
The whistling winds of a Sunday study day.
Moments away from the desk and breathing in the fresh air.
Moments enjoying the sounds hidden beneath the whistle of a cool spring wind.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Moments D347: Push ups & Situps
Today was a hardcore study day. A full 12 hours. I barely moved from my dining room table which has been made into a makeshift desk. It’s completely covered with school stuff at the moment. My textbook, my laptop, my paper notebook, pens, pencils, random sticky notes, my trusty eraser and of course, random snack foods. I am surrounded! Truly - it’s a chaotic mess that looks like a hurricane came through. Of course, I know exactly where to find what I'm looking for!
Today’s moment was me deciding to do push ups & situps for my mini breaks during my study day. Yes really. That’s what I did. It was 10 push ups at a time and 20 situps at a time. Need I remind you….it was a long day. I ended up doing many situps and push ups! By the third/fourth round I couldn’t help but giggle at myself - a silly idea? Maybe, but fortunately, it also meant that by the end of the day, not only was my brain taxed and tired, so was my body.
So - I’m all for push ups and situps as a study break. But, that being said, I think tomorrow’s study day will include less physical exertion!
Moments to pause.
Moments of exercise both intellectually and physically.
Today’s moment was me deciding to do push ups & situps for my mini breaks during my study day. Yes really. That’s what I did. It was 10 push ups at a time and 20 situps at a time. Need I remind you….it was a long day. I ended up doing many situps and push ups! By the third/fourth round I couldn’t help but giggle at myself - a silly idea? Maybe, but fortunately, it also meant that by the end of the day, not only was my brain taxed and tired, so was my body.
So - I’m all for push ups and situps as a study break. But, that being said, I think tomorrow’s study day will include less physical exertion!
Moments to pause.
Moments of exercise both intellectually and physically.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Moments D346: Butter
What a day! It was hectic with much excitement, no lunch and in the end a longer day than I expected it to be. (Even pulled over later by an OPP because I need to renew my license sticker! WHOOPS!) But, the day was also one where much was accomplished. These are the kinds of days that I love most. Busy, positive and productive. And today’s moment came from the end of my day as I shared conversation with a work colleague. He was commenting on my ability to communicate and how he appreciated my words. This coming from someone I respect and who publishes a magazine. My words. Really?
So out of curiosity, I asked him - “What is it about my words that you appreciate?” He took a moment before responding and he answered: Butter.
I’m sure there must have been a quizzical look on my face because he quickly added that all his favourite foods have a dab of butter on them. Butter isn’t necessary, but it’s certainly a lovely luxury. My words, have butter. My words have luxury to them.
Huh. I kinda liked that compliment. It’s a simple analogy, but one that seems to fit well. I know, in business, in relationships, in life, I take the extra time to find the right words. Sure, the days can be hectic and short of time, but people deserve “buttered” words. They deserve that moment of acknowledgement that they are the centre of my attention in that moment. Why not? It doesn’t take that much more effort and I know that people notice. Now, I have an adjective for it. Buttered words.
Moments to show people that you are taking the time with them.
Moments for buttered words.
So out of curiosity, I asked him - “What is it about my words that you appreciate?” He took a moment before responding and he answered: Butter.
I’m sure there must have been a quizzical look on my face because he quickly added that all his favourite foods have a dab of butter on them. Butter isn’t necessary, but it’s certainly a lovely luxury. My words, have butter. My words have luxury to them.
Huh. I kinda liked that compliment. It’s a simple analogy, but one that seems to fit well. I know, in business, in relationships, in life, I take the extra time to find the right words. Sure, the days can be hectic and short of time, but people deserve “buttered” words. They deserve that moment of acknowledgement that they are the centre of my attention in that moment. Why not? It doesn’t take that much more effort and I know that people notice. Now, I have an adjective for it. Buttered words.
Moments to show people that you are taking the time with them.
Moments for buttered words.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Moments D345: Fresh Energy
Today was a great day. Spring has officially arrived. The morning was crisp and cool, but as the sun crossed the sky, it warmed to 10 degrees out today, bright and sunny. IIt was a breath of fresh energy.
And that seemed to be the way the rest of the day went just this way as well. We had a new team member join us today. She joined us at the height of chaos on our team. We are ramping up to a huge trade show, I’m just about to book a couple spring campaigns, and we’ve lost a member. There is much to do, and fewer and fewer hours left to do it.
She joined our team this morning. We had our weekly production meeting off the top of the day. This lovely girl had the full force of the entire team all at once. Tell me that wasn’t overwhelming! But, I have to say, I’m damn proud of our team. At every turn they were trying to make her comfortable and supportive when she looked overwhelmed. We talked through a lot of projects and timelines. For the first hour of her first day on the job, well, that’s kinda like just diving in!
Fortunately I think this girl is going to really fit in. She is quirky. She is quick and, in the end, I think through all the information we threw at her she enjoyed her first day. Big wins for us all.
Welcome fresh energy. Welcome young dragon - we look forward your forces entwining with ours.
Moments enjoying spring.
Moments taking a breath of fresh air, inside and out.
And that seemed to be the way the rest of the day went just this way as well. We had a new team member join us today. She joined us at the height of chaos on our team. We are ramping up to a huge trade show, I’m just about to book a couple spring campaigns, and we’ve lost a member. There is much to do, and fewer and fewer hours left to do it.
She joined our team this morning. We had our weekly production meeting off the top of the day. This lovely girl had the full force of the entire team all at once. Tell me that wasn’t overwhelming! But, I have to say, I’m damn proud of our team. At every turn they were trying to make her comfortable and supportive when she looked overwhelmed. We talked through a lot of projects and timelines. For the first hour of her first day on the job, well, that’s kinda like just diving in!
Fortunately I think this girl is going to really fit in. She is quirky. She is quick and, in the end, I think through all the information we threw at her she enjoyed her first day. Big wins for us all.
Welcome fresh energy. Welcome young dragon - we look forward your forces entwining with ours.
Moments enjoying spring.
Moments taking a breath of fresh air, inside and out.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Moments D344: Bonding
Today was a strange day. Productive and quiet at work even though it was the last day for our young bird leaving the team. Full of emotion and chaotic energy later in the day and into the evening. (Funny how the energy can so quickly shift!)
Today’s moment isn’t about our baby bird, no longer green, nor naive to the world of work, being ready to fly. (Though is a special moment to mention as it made for a bitter sweet day. Sweet to see her on such a high. Sweet to know that she will expand her portfolio. Bitter to know her desk will be empty tomorrow.
Instead, I want to focus on the fact that today I was able to have a special, outside-of-work bonding moment with one of the most important member of the team. As we shared a couple of beers, I set up a rule - no shop talk! So there we were just sharing crazy stories and catching up. Even with the rule, we still veered back to work, but every time, we laughed about it! It was a good moment and one I know that was meaningful to us both. I look forward to spending more outside-of-work bonding moments. I think it’s important as it makes our day-to-day job activities that much easier to work through.
Moments connecting with your co-workers
Moments bonding.
Today’s moment isn’t about our baby bird, no longer green, nor naive to the world of work, being ready to fly. (Though is a special moment to mention as it made for a bitter sweet day. Sweet to see her on such a high. Sweet to know that she will expand her portfolio. Bitter to know her desk will be empty tomorrow.
Instead, I want to focus on the fact that today I was able to have a special, outside-of-work bonding moment with one of the most important member of the team. As we shared a couple of beers, I set up a rule - no shop talk! So there we were just sharing crazy stories and catching up. Even with the rule, we still veered back to work, but every time, we laughed about it! It was a good moment and one I know that was meaningful to us both. I look forward to spending more outside-of-work bonding moments. I think it’s important as it makes our day-to-day job activities that much easier to work through.
Moments connecting with your co-workers
Moments bonding.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Moments D343: Good News
First, I know it’s a bit lame for today’s moment to be about “good news”. It feels like I'm cheating the point of my blog with this title. Regardless of that small tarnished thought, I couldn't resist. Let me tell you why.
Today was just one of those days where the stars aligned. It felt like, with every action that happened, that good news was the flavour of the day. Plans clicked into place; people heard my words and actioned them; I heard people’s words and actioned them. My class group and I managed to tred our way through a mass of data and words and all agree upon a final write-up and I managed to find the right words in a couple of precarious points in the day. All of which lead to moments of good news.
That being said - it was actually great news to hear to hear words that validated my direction. It was great news to share positive comments with co-workers that very much made their days and it was great news to know that plans I've been working on at work have all started to fall into place. It is also GREAT news that my school group and I are 99% done our assignment (FINALLY!). Maybe I've been remiss to call it only good news - it really was a day of GREAT news. The ebb and flow of such positive energy around me was truly delightful.
So today, I pause and celebrate good news. Good news for me, for my co-workers, and for my fellow students.
Now shaking the hot sauce bottle that didn’t have its lid tightened….not such good news. But I laughed instead of cursing. Yes, I think the positive energy surplus paid off in that particular moment of my day!
Moments knowing that good news can come in batches.
Moments appreciate each and every moment of good news.
Today was just one of those days where the stars aligned. It felt like, with every action that happened, that good news was the flavour of the day. Plans clicked into place; people heard my words and actioned them; I heard people’s words and actioned them. My class group and I managed to tred our way through a mass of data and words and all agree upon a final write-up and I managed to find the right words in a couple of precarious points in the day. All of which lead to moments of good news.
That being said - it was actually great news to hear to hear words that validated my direction. It was great news to share positive comments with co-workers that very much made their days and it was great news to know that plans I've been working on at work have all started to fall into place. It is also GREAT news that my school group and I are 99% done our assignment (FINALLY!). Maybe I've been remiss to call it only good news - it really was a day of GREAT news. The ebb and flow of such positive energy around me was truly delightful.
So today, I pause and celebrate good news. Good news for me, for my co-workers, and for my fellow students.
Now shaking the hot sauce bottle that didn’t have its lid tightened….not such good news. But I laughed instead of cursing. Yes, I think the positive energy surplus paid off in that particular moment of my day!
Moments knowing that good news can come in batches.
Moments appreciate each and every moment of good news.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Moments D342: Supererogation
This word came into my life sometime last year from a friend of mine from work. He was surprised at my consistent drive to always do better and/or more. I needed him to explain the word to me with more words.
It is a philosophical term that labels actions “beyond the call of duty”. Today was one of those days that I would have agreed with my co-worker. I went above and beyond the call of duty.
I've been working on this group assignment for what feels like forever. It was originally due last Tuesday which was then pushed out to Thursday, which was then pushed out to this coming Thursday. Great right? No, not really. There were errors in the data supplied for the case study. My group found those errors. Extra time to work on it, means putting more energy and attention into the project and not on my readings. (After all there is only so much time to go around!) Tonight, I worked hard to pull together the assignment so that I could hopefully spare myself a few hours to slide into my readings. I only have 10 days left before I write my 50% final exam. I'm starting to sweat it. Much to do and time is running out.
But back to tonight and going above and beyond. I spent my night working on one portion of the overall project. This section, in its entirety, is 5 pages deep. It’s thorough; it offers charts and tables and much commentary. I really don't think I needed to go into the depth that I did.
But - it’s a case study that we are working on. I put myself in the fictitious client’s shoes and realized that I would want a lot more detail. And so, I gave it to them. Lots and lots of details and information.
It wasn't until I finally handed over my document to my team mates that I realized my friend from work was right. I have a problem with supererogation. I can’t just do the minimum when I know I can offer more.
It was then that I tried to remember this crazy word. I was inspired with it once again and knew that I would write about it in today's blog. Google failed me when I search for “beyond the call of duty”. And then, surprisingly, my brain kicked in and remembered the word. Isn't that just fitting? I had a good giggle in that moment.
So today’s moment is about supererogation - going beyond the expected and being pleasantly surprised with the results.
I'm also going to tag brain power today as a moment. It’s not very often that my brain supersedes a Google search!
p.s. if you are interested, I found this philosophical article about supererogation….check it out!
It is a philosophical term that labels actions “beyond the call of duty”. Today was one of those days that I would have agreed with my co-worker. I went above and beyond the call of duty.
I've been working on this group assignment for what feels like forever. It was originally due last Tuesday which was then pushed out to Thursday, which was then pushed out to this coming Thursday. Great right? No, not really. There were errors in the data supplied for the case study. My group found those errors. Extra time to work on it, means putting more energy and attention into the project and not on my readings. (After all there is only so much time to go around!) Tonight, I worked hard to pull together the assignment so that I could hopefully spare myself a few hours to slide into my readings. I only have 10 days left before I write my 50% final exam. I'm starting to sweat it. Much to do and time is running out.
But back to tonight and going above and beyond. I spent my night working on one portion of the overall project. This section, in its entirety, is 5 pages deep. It’s thorough; it offers charts and tables and much commentary. I really don't think I needed to go into the depth that I did.
But - it’s a case study that we are working on. I put myself in the fictitious client’s shoes and realized that I would want a lot more detail. And so, I gave it to them. Lots and lots of details and information.
It wasn't until I finally handed over my document to my team mates that I realized my friend from work was right. I have a problem with supererogation. I can’t just do the minimum when I know I can offer more.
It was then that I tried to remember this crazy word. I was inspired with it once again and knew that I would write about it in today's blog. Google failed me when I search for “beyond the call of duty”. And then, surprisingly, my brain kicked in and remembered the word. Isn't that just fitting? I had a good giggle in that moment.
So today’s moment is about supererogation - going beyond the expected and being pleasantly surprised with the results.
I'm also going to tag brain power today as a moment. It’s not very often that my brain supersedes a Google search!
Moments pushing the limits.
Moment to learn a new word!
Moment to learn a new word!
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