3 Simple Strategies for Continued Education Success Everyone Can Use.
The challenge of starting a career change or going back to school gets real rather quickly. It’s tough to get into the flow that makes learning, work, and life natural. For many people, time is an issue when it comes to starting a new adventure. I am a visual arts high school teacher; this being my first year, I am redeveloping old lessons or developing new lesson plans. I have my design business that still gets jobs. I have a family with four kids, which includes sports and hobbies. Finally, I’ve been working through my UX Bootcamp through CareerFoundry. Time is not on my side, and if you are in the same situation, it is not for you.
Take the bulls by the horns is one of my favorite sayings; Nike brought it down to three words, “Just do it!” It seems easy, right? I have compiled three strategies to help you when you hit that slump and feel success is too far out of reach.
Detours can save time.
If a task gives you problems, take a detour; if other tasks/lessons are open, move on and return to it after a little time. It’s so easy to get caught up on the problem that you lose time as you become stumped. Move on, so you don’t lose time. Not only will you keep going, but it may also supercharge your mind into a new idea or concept that will help you complete your previous task.
Preemptive questions for success.
Before you begin a task, talk with your instructor, and ask for expectations on the lesson. Some will give you hints or explain what to look for or can clarify common misconceptions in the directions. This 5 min conversation can save you hours or revision. I found where instructions were not clear; this was extremely helpful.
Get your pen and paper ready.
Ever finish a conversation with someone and are on the drive home, and you say to yourself, “Shoot, I forgot to ask them…” If you are shy or uncomfortable talking with instructors or may forget your questions, write down what you want to discuss and questions you may have. If you have that moment of anxiety, look down at your paper and read it. You are taking notes down before talking to someone I found helpful because there are times in the heat of that moment that my mind will go blank. Having a quick reference on my phone or a piece of paper is invaluable.
The grab the bull by the horns and push through solutions may not work for everyone, but take a step back, and if you see where one may work, use it. I know that completion and success are within your reach! I think Coco Chanel says it best “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
