Since getting back to KC after a spring break filled with wedding planning, the realization that finals are approximately four weeks away, that camp staffing is almost due, and that my wedding in almost fifty days lit a fire under my ass. I have this enormous sense of urgency and purpose, to accomplish what needs to be done in a timely manner, because as finals loom closer, the more tunnel-visioned I know I will become.
I'm a busy person, we all tend to be. Juggling work, children, school, family, significant others, and whatever else we take onto our plate. It can be a lot. But there are certain habits that can help make each day-by-day a little easier.
Seven habits of a moderately successfully 20-somethings in law school
1.) I drink as much coffee as I think I need. It's an addiction, and I know it. But I also know that after 2 pm, it's time to switch to a nice green or herbal tea. Caffeine too late in the day makes sleep harder to come by that night, a vicious cycle that can really interfere with your success if it goes too far.
2.) I listen to a Christian radio station in the mornings. Admittedly, I don't listen to K-LOVE all the time, I do quite a bit. In the mornings, the music tends to complete my morning prayer routine and help put me in a better mood for the upcoming day. The positive music is uplifting, and helps to start the day off better than other genres or silence.
3.) Maintain my planner/to-do lists. While some weeks I do better than others about filling it in, my planner helps to keep it all straight. What's do, who to see, how much to bring, and what should I be doing right now? I don't adhere to it strictly, I can adjust my plans as needed for my day, but a general rule of thumb is that I do not turn on my TV until I've accomplished what I wanted for the day.
4.) Speaking of accomplishing, I make myself accomplish at least three things on the less busy days. I started this in my undergrad, between my sophomore and junior years, living at my parents' house. I made myself accomplish three things each day, such as doing the laundry, taking a walk, and picking up an extra game at the ball fields. This way, I avoid falling into a rut of feeling unsuccessful - I am doing things, even if they feel small or insignificant.
5.) I tell my people that I love them. Josh and I probably seem to say it excessively. I always say it to my parents when getting off of the phone. It's how I start my prayer journal most mornings, by telling God, "I love you". It's cheesy, it's said too much, but I think it is important and wonderful to hear and say. To know that you are valued and necessary to someone's daily life.
6.) I leave my phone on silent. Which seems to irritate people when I lose my phone and "calling it" is not an option, but the constant beeping, buzzing, dinging, and ringing is distracting. It pulls away from the face-to-face interactions of daily life. I know I'm bad about my phone, but when it's on silent, I can put it out of sight and really ignore it.
7.) I don't try to be something I am not. I am what God created me to be, blissfully imperfect. I don't try to be a person I am not, I don't pretend to be overly fashion-minded or hyper-focused on other people. I learned early on that I have no interest in being socially busy or academically perfect, and I am happy with that who I am. It is easiest for me to be happy and successful in my own niche if I am not faking in one I have no place in.
Tota tua.
I think the most important thing I have learned in the last year though, is how to laugh at myself. Almost four weeks ago, sitting around a small fire, surround close friends and distance acquaintances, I laughed at myself for a simple, funny mistake about a person's name. And in the midst of my laughter, I marveled at the person I have become. That night, I made new friends, I played yard games and lost miserably without blinking an eye. I mentioned law school rarely, not flaunting my lucky position. 