Your worst critic

I'm not one for inspirational quotes unless they are sarcastic, but this really spoke to me. I was listening to Bobby Chiu's video podcast and he was talking about how we are our worst critic.

He says: When you mess up you might say some terrible things to yourself that you would never even say to another person. If you wouldn't say those things about another person, then why would you say them about yourself?

listen to yourself

The last few days I've made quite the realization. Listening to yourself—specifically needs—is important. I know that I do best around people, but alas I secluded myself and didn't accomplish the goals I needed to. Working around and with other people can be really important for an extrovert. And by listening to yourself, you can accomplish goals and relieve stress. They all work together.

What made me a journal writer for a time

In fall of 2009, I took a "Fall Block" semester at the Audubon Center of the North Woods. Throughout the entire semester, a significant portion of our grade (at least 40%, as I recall) was based on journal entries about what we learned, observed and/or concluded on every weekday. I feel that, due to the fact that the assignment revolved around the days themselves, putting it off would lead to forgetting important things that I would have observed. For the best grade, I had to write in it every day.

Before Fall Block, I was a superb procrastinator and mess-maker of rooms. With the importance of daily writing and reflection of Fall Block, I dissipated much of my procrastination. I also discovered that it is much easier to focus in a neat and tidy room, so I now make messes much less often and to a much lesser degree. It took some effort at the time, but now I have lost much of the habit of procrastination and have made a habit of keeping a living space fairly organized. Fewer possessions make it much easier.

If you need/want any more details or examples, let me know!