I think I need to place myself more firmly in my surrounds so that I can be more aware of where I am and what I am doing. For example, last week I was in a bookstore and read the first page of Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close because Tweak, with passion in her eyes, said it's amazing. And, she's right. I started laughing loudly in the bookstore. But I can't do that right now. I have to work. So, at that moment, I decided that when I move back to Olympia this summer I will start a book club and that will be the first book we read. The thought made me happy, but now the idea keeps coming to me while I am supposed to be writing my dissertation proposal. I need to get THAT done here, now, before...
I am here, now, to prepare for my QE. I need to focus on that.
As far as my productivity is concerned, I have been making a valiant effort to stick by my resolution, despite a rather tenacious cold. My dear readers, your advice was fabulous. I think I should ask you smart people for input more often, and anybody who didn't read the comments on my last post should do it immediately, particularly if you are a graduate student with a wandering eye.
Do your dreams for the future distract you from your purpose for the day?
Oh, since this is a knitting blog, I should also note that I went to Stitches West last Saturday with some very good company. There were knitters and yarn as far as my sickly eyes could see. I made a very exciting purchase, which I will have to discuss with you another time, and forgot to take pictures. Ops! Back to that paying attention to where I am thing...
4 comments:
And how do I apply to this book club?
And when are you QEing?
Love you my sweet sister.
So call me back already! (But we can make a set length for the conversation, and then you can go back to work, I promise.)
I read the entire Harry Potter series right before my Generals. So much more appealing than Bloch, Schmid, and the rest of the medieval bunch. But you can do this. When you need to relax, you can always make a list of things to read after your exam!
You can do this.
Ooh you read the first page!! <333
I'm so glad. That book changed my life.
You should read more of it...when you can.
What about a teakettle?
What about heartbeats?
What about...?
:-)
I also find that being present is one of the best ways to deal with stress and an overwhelming amount of work. I find it's much easier to get into that "flow" state of mind and work productively if I am not thinking about all the other things I'd rather be doing or other tasks that need done. Right now you are working on one thing, not those others, so you needn't be concerned about them. Ah, easier said than done. Last time my mom was in town, she handed me a box of Tension Tamer Tea and said she thought I needed it since I seem to have a lot of tension. (Uh, mom? Sometimes that's just talking to you.)
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