Rai's 101: Tips to Bring Down Procrastination

Hi everyone!

Yes, I know I haven't written a blog since forever but recently after watching a few Youtube videos, I suddenly got the urge and motivation to start writing blogs that will be beneficial instead of being personal ALL the time. This time I will try my best to post blogs on a regular basis. Fingers crossed!

Well, after all those adrenaline rushes and out-of-the-blue-and-underlying motivations, I asked myself what will my first 2018 post be?

*drum rolls*

PROCRASTINATION

*end of drum rolls*

Yes! I'm sure everyone has this problem to a certain extent. This is such a major issue for me and I have been struggling to fight off the devil of procrastination my entire life! It's a real stumbling block to becoming efficient and productive since its roots are already deep within my self-conscience department.  It (avoiding procrastination) seemed hopeless at first because I'm a sucker for its charm (haha!) but I tried a few tips which have at least reduced the severity of the problem and the frequency of committing the crime. So, I will share them here with you guys and if you are a procrastinator like me, I hope these tips could help you too!

 

One of the reasons why we procrastinate is because the tasks are too difficult or too daunting to handle. You either could not comprehend the tasks well, afraid that you would mess up badly in the middle and give up, or you could never see the end of the tunnel. Well, that might be the case if you're looking at the tasks as a big chunk of entangled fishing net.

Try to de-tangle the net one at a time. Meaning, break down the tasks into smaller, simpler parts/components. You can break it down into before, during, after. You could also create a simple to-do list/plan or sectioned flow map so you could plan and see what you should do from the beginning until the end, section by section. Tackling the tasks section by section will automatically lessen the pressure in your mind and your expectation. By doing this, you could also foresee the issues that will rise rather than tackling the tasks as a whole where you could not see the progress in the middle. These issues might cause more delays if they came to you by surprise. For much bigger and harder tasks/projects, do set goals, checklist, and reminders pertaining to the content of the tasks/project to help you stay on track. It would be better if each goal/reminder comes with a deadline. The harder the tasks, the more overwhelming they could be. Therefore, it is important for you to know what you're doing, when you should complete it and where you can refer to if you forget a step.

Yes! Another reason why we're putting off a task is because we lack the motivation to do it, or worse, we are not motivated to do it at all. Actually, there are ways where we can motivate ourselves and yes, we are capable of doing it as long as we know what our preferences are and what could motivate us into doing something.

First, identify one thing you love doing and 'pair it' with the act of you working on the task, whatever the task is. What I mean by this is, when you are working on your project/task, do things that you like simultaneously. For example, tune into your favourite tunes, lit scented candles, have a cup of mean coffee/tea by your side, use aesthetic looking tools/equi

pments to please your eyes, get comfy pillows, get on a comfy sofa/bed, work in your favourite place (e.g. library, coffee shops), watch youtube videos and etc. You would be surprised with how much progress you'll make if you work on the task while doing something that you love. As for me, I love watching Youtube videos while folding my clothes, and listening to classical or soothing music while working on my school works. Coffees would instantly boost my motivation (and brainpower) too!

Second, surround yourselves with motivational quotes. You can pin them on your cork board/whiteboard, you can set it as your phone or desktop/laptop wallpaper, you can pin them on the fridge or walls, and even in the toilet if you feel like it! Randomly stumbling across the quotes would give you a boost in your motivation in unexpected moments, especially if you place them at random places! Do try it out. Works for me! If you're a Muslim, try to pin verses of the Quran too. They may give you a motivational boost as well as lift your spirits (if you're feeling blue).

Some people work best if they stick to a routine (babies too!). This is because they are the type of people that would automatically do certain activities they are used to once the clock hits a specific time of the day. If you are this type of person, then lucky you! You could easily insert a new slot in your routine specifically for doing tasks that you would procrastinate on. Find an 'empty slot' in your routine and start doing the task that you usually procrastinate on within that 'slot'. The amount of time you spend on it can be increased on the next following days if you feel the need to. You might do very little progress on your first try but once you are used to actually doing it for several days ever so consistently, the tasks you would usually avoid would be a part of you. You would become ONE with it *said with eerie whispery voice*.

Let me give you an example so you could comprehend this better. You have a thesis you need to finish. You've been putting it off quite frequently lately. So find the most comfortable time for you to work on it, for instance like 9.00 p.m. until 12 a.m. and focus on your research works every day during that period of time. Once you're adjusted to it, you will automatically be complied to repeat the activity until it becomes a part of your daily routine.

Our imagination is actually a very powerful tool in motivating ourselves into completing our tasks. We often imagine happy things that could motivate us and cheer our sad, sad life but we could also imagine ourselves doing the tasks we've been avoiding to give us an extra push into actually doing it. Moreover, our imagination could help us in our problem-solving.

'When you begin to control your thought processes, you can apply the powers of your subconscious to any problem or difficulty' (Murphy, 2011). You could also find the cause of every effects and solutions to your problems (2011). It's like putting yourselves into a situation, imaginatively speaking, by playing the scenes in your head over and over again to foresee or solve the issues that may rise. By doing this, you will also automatically have the impulse to work on the tasks you have been avoiding and have better chances at accomplishing it successfully because you have already foreseen the issues/obstacles that you need to tackle. I do this a lot. A LOT. The tasks/programmes/projects I worked on have better outcomes (less drawbacks and problems) than the ones I did without involving my imagination. So, you could try doing this too. Actually, you might have already done it before; you just didn't realise it and take full advantage of its potential. So, there you go. Imagination rocks!

REFERENCE

Murphy, J (2011). The Power of Your Subconscious Mind [Kindle Version]. Retrieved from https://www.law-of-attraction-haven.com/support-files/power-subconscious-mind.pdf

February's Marginalia: Shocking Updates

WHOA!

I'm back. With some SHOCKING updates! On a February even! (why not January? well this post is posted on a February for a good reason heh heh heh, along with the bad ones)

Ehem. I might be overreacting. Sorry. They are not so shocking at all.

Hey, whaddaya know? After not blogging for *gesturing air quotes* a while *ends of air quotes*, POOF! it's already 20-effing-17! And the last time I posted a post was on October 2014. My blog-posting routine is not in abeyance, it is in a state of dereliction! Sad, this is. How time flies. Flew. Had flown. Because of a seriously demented blogger (me).

WARNING: If you are forgetful like me, you'll end up abandoning your blog for years. It needs commitment, this blog-writing practice. If you are EVER going to start blogging, or a budding blogger by now, pleaaaaaaaaaaase *sobbing* make sure you update your blog regularly and pleaaaaaaaase make sure you aren't as demented (or forgetful, in a less severe situation) as I am before you even create a blog. Keep your motivation on a steady ride. Trust me, pity the blog if you don't. It will become an attic in the cyber world.

So here I am trying to update you guys on a few significant events of my life that have seriously left a few colossal milestones in the history of ME.

First, I am a fully fledged English teacher, I think. 2017 is my third year in this profession. I am teaching in SMK Katibas in the Song district. Have you heard of it? It is located near Rarong river, and yes, the only access to school before they constructed the road was the river and a boat. Now we have road access but it's quite bumpy. Not safe for pregnant women I tell ya. However the beautiful things about this school are the  scenic landscapes surrounding the school area, the students plus the authenticity of the Iban culture where majority of my students and the locals are Iban, the warmth of the locals themselves who are welcoming, friendly workplace and staff, and the stress-free environment. Lemme show you a snippet of the things that I'd talked about (most of the photos were taken one or two years ago so they're quite old and I looked quite young and now I am a bit older-looking *sobs pathetically*)

Who would be /feel stressed looking and gazing at the greenery 95% of the time? (the other 5% would be the looking at the insides of a building / quarters and laptop screens). At first, before coming to this school, I admit, I felt a bit insecure, anxious, and unsure but after spending a few good years here, I manage to adapt and become comfortable with my current lifestyle. I really love my students. I have been though various ups and downs, monumental and unthinkable challenges, and of course, I have also experienced amazing time with amazing people whom I have met and come to know along the way. However I do miss my home in Kuching, my family, my dad who stays in Kuching (my mom stays with me by the way), and my husband who is far away from me.

Yaiks, a husband????

Yes, I am married *gleeful laugh* Since December 10, 2016.

Here are the proofs in case you're saying I'm delusional. 

Erkhemm *blushes*

Okay, I will type no more. My conscience has been sending me non-stop warning signals so that I would get back to work, pronto (or was it my tummy? I haven't had my breakfast actually). Well, this has been a splendiferous way to temporarily deviate from my humdrum routine. I should reaaaaaally get back to work (or make breakfast). Will try, to the best of my ability, updating this blog with more beneficial stuff in the future, perhaps things related to my profession. *fingers crossed*

Toodles!

October's Marginalia: Life

Hi. It has been a while.

I only write when I'm feeling creative + have the motivation to write.

Both, came knocking the door today so here I am.

Today, I'm writing about *drum rolls* LIFE!

Yeah BOOHOO, such a boring topic. But I am itching to share it no matter what the audience readers think so.... yeah.

1.1 Being Human

image is by rialexis.deviantart.com

You're human. Human, as we know, are good companions to other humans. Humans, are humane (?). They are not perfect. I admit, some people might be angelic, holy, pious, generous, kind, intelligent, beautiful, selfless, successful but none are FLAWLESS. No matter how perfect they appear to be, they have flaws too (those celebrities you admire, they are not perfect. They fart and poop defecate too!) NOBODY can escape that NOBODY-IS-PERFECT and EVERYBODY-MAKES-MISTAKES motto. You can't, and I can't too.

So, I thought I'd conshare (confess+share. it's not a real word so don't use it in your officially-marked-by-the-teachers essays). There are several points in my past that I consider as flaws/flawed and now my mature (?) self automatically repents whenever the flashbacks haunt. If I could go back in time, I would slap myself. Hundreds of times. with a chair. Or, just, undo and nullify every mistake I made (what's the point of going back in time, really, if you couldn't do that?). And I would apologise, hundreds of times so that we'd be even and the guilt I feel would disappear willingly. However some of them made me into the person I am today. The mistakes we made are not solely mistakes; they are guidance. However it would be completely useless if we never learn from em'. So, I've learnt my lesson. Have you?

1.2 Dreams vs Reality

image by rialexis.deviantart.com

So you'd think your dreams are counterproductive, useless, worthless, uninspiring, unrewarding, and impossible to achieve. Don't worry, dreams are dreams. It won't hurt you (yet). That's why it's okay to DREAM BIG *enter angelic chorus* especially if it's related to your passion. The more the merrier! If you can't achieve one dream you can strive for the other!

The BIG List: Rai's Top 5 Cosmetic/Skin Care Brands + Jan/Feb's favourites

Hi girls and boys!

In this entry I merely want to share with you the top 5 cosmetics/skin care brands that I wear. They are among my favourite brands as well. This entry is entirely based on my personal experience. We might have different views on the brands and products but that's fine. We are not entitled to our own facts but we are definitely entitled to our own opinions. =D But if you find this entry very helpful, then I am a very grateful girl.

Let's start with #1!

1. Etude House

Etude House is a Korean brand. This brand deserves to be my Top 1 because of several bona fide reasons. First, their packaging and presentation are absolutely adorable! Pink, cute, feminine, pretty; so you can already see how it is very relevant and relatable to girls and femininity. And I loooooove pink and cute stuff so naturally I fall in love with their overall image and concept. And their stores are absolutely adorable as well! Their interior designers deserve 100 pats on their backs because they have managed to come up with a concept that is so compelling and attractive!

Short reminiscence: my first two Etude House products were Precious Mineral BB Cream and Precious Mineral compact powder.

The BB cream has a very nice coverage. I wore it because back in the days my skin was horrible. Full with pimples. No matter how small, they were annoyingly and embarrassingly conspicuous. I found this brand after watching Kdrama You're Beautiful. I saw Park Shin Hye's CF for this product. And I secretly fell in love with it. I bought the two products in Kuala Lumpur (2010). I was totally ecstatic when I saw a small Etude House shop in Bukit Bintang because years ago, there was no Etude House shop in Kuching. When I studied in the UK, it was easier for me to purchase it with the help from Ebay.co.uk so I become a regular customer ever since. I stopped buying Etude House products for a while but in 2013 my addiction came back and now I own quite a number of Etude House products. These are some of the products I currently have right now:

    

 

Ze Art of DECEPTION

Hi readers! (I doubt I have much)

It's been a while yea i know i know yada yadaa...my schedule is hectic yada yada. this semester i'm teaching Form 4 students so you know how busy a teacher is, unless you still think a teacher only lies and basks in the sun.

But today that's not my topic. I had an a-ha moment a few minutes ago when I was preparing my breakfast. The thought passed through my mind out of the blue and I think I should share it.

Did you notice that whenever you contemplate on products, there are some that have something like "Award-winning Product" or "As seen on TV" or "Low Calories" or "Cashmere Coat made from true cashmere" or  "Low salt" or "the slimming chillies are imported from French" on the products, making you believe that the products are WOW-THEY-ARE-GOOD.

Actually, what the marketers and sales executives are doing to us the ignorant consumers is actually the art of DECEPTION. they think they can gain profits and attract buyers by doing so (and they actually did. i ended up buying products with those doubtfully true statements). and sometimes they just state whatever appealing features of the products, no matter how obvious or direct, and make it compelling for instance:

"A revolution in sizing, fit and thinking. Slimming side seams & subtle boot cut flatter your shape. A reverse yoke lifts the seat. Vertical back pockets are proportioned to make the most of your assets and a contour waistband means these jeans won’t gap in the back"

"This rare Chinese tea is carefully picked by specially trained monkeys in a remote mountain region of China. Legend has it that monkeys were first used to collect tea ten centuries ago, because upon seeing it’s master trying to reach some tea growing wild on a mountain face, the monkey climbed up the steep face and collected the tea growing there and brought it down to his master"

"Specially formulated with Red Chilli Extract imported from France, the XXX chilli firming range products have thermal heating properties which help enhance circulation and body contouring when massaged onto your skin".

These are highly compelling descriptions however, if you take off the consumer's shoes for a while and wear the critical thinker's hat, you will be able to see how obvious, unnecessarily redundant the descriptions are. They just rephrase, for instance "this pants have two pockets, a zip, rooms for butts, slim design to fit any skinny thighs but not the large ones" and certain obvious features of the products into a more flowery and compelling statement. Well, well done to that! That got me most of the time. Not all of the descriptions are true. Less fat doesn't truly mean less. If brand X has 25g of fat, brand Y with "less fat" label might have 24g fat, which is obviously lesser than the other however the difference is almost indiscernible. Gold bracelet doesn't mean 100 % gold. Cashmere coat is not necessarily cashmere if the label says 5 percent cashmere and 90 percent polyester.

Those marketers are not 100% at fault . They just want to attract buyers and gain enough money to pay for everyone who works in the company and their factories in China. But be careful dear buyers, don't be like me. Don't be like Rebecca Bloomwood. 

Don't fall directly for the blatant and CAPTAIN OBVIOUS descriptions. Not all products are bad but make sure you don't accidentally trust and buy a bad product because of the deceitful, seemingly true descriptions.

Have a nice day!

Yours truthfully,

Pinku no Ichigo Yuki