So you have deadlines to meet. You have to work all through the weekend. Probably that’s how you define your productivity (you should read my previous post on how productivity is relative to help you define productivity right).
I am not against you being productive and meeting your deadlines. But come to think of it feels like these deadlines don’t come to an end. As a full-time lecturer and full-time PhD student, finishing a deadline does not mean much because there are other deadlines piled up for me. Meeting a deadline is just one down among others. Does this sound familiar?
So what am I saying?
I am saying PAUSE. Before you go rushing into meeting the next deadline, take a break and celebrate the fact that you just accomplished something no matter how small it seems. It is worth celebrating because you completed it against all the odds. You were able to manage your time, put in the necessary resources to meet the deadline against the bountiful distractions and other things struggling for your time.
You my friend, met a deadline and for that reason, it is worth celebrating.
Celebrating little wins does not make you vain instead, it makes you mindful, accountable and attentive because not everyone can recognise a win even when it is staring them in the face. Learn to recognise and celebrate the little accomplishments in the cause of your journey.
Don’t be a victim of the pitfall that thinks about other tasks yet to complete. Not only does this ruin your current celebration, but it also deprives you of the gift of being present.
Whether you are a PhD student or not, don’t forget to PAUSE and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.
Photo credit: siddharthav on flickr
