As I may have mentioned, the past year (roughly) has been a long-running experiment in creating a more balanced life. I've tried to get away from the 'academics above all' mindset that I have had since...middle school at the latest, and made an effort to include other things in my life, most notably physical activity and health in general, even when at times this comes at the expense of academic work.
I can't say I've been terribly consistent with this mission, but it has been an overall direction I have tried to move in. To that effect, I've spent some time thinking about how I work; what makes me feel good and what doesn't. What kind of complexes or 'тараканы в голове' I have. A couple I knew in advance, like, that I do better when I feel I'm 'ahead' or doing well rather than when I feel like I am or I need to catch up.
Another, I've recognized recently is that I have a martyr complex. One of the reasons I like to work late (after about 5 or 6 PM) is that I feel like I'm not expected to, so it's 'extra credit.' It's demonstrating my undying commitment to education and science!
Except that it really isn't. Because if I was really that committed, I'd work just as earnestly and have just as much motivation between 9 and 5 as I do outside these hours...
So, what to do? Is this complex something I should get rid of, or find a way to use?
I lean toward finding a way to use it. Along with my disposition for Nice Things (e.g. office supplies for HW, yoga pants, etc.), my discovery that for hardcore studying nothing beats EB's Bagels, that I like posting my miles-run total in my blog posts and watch it creep up, and I like getting gold stars for keeping up with my exercise plans :)
On another Life Balance Project topic: words I hate:
Productivity, networking, critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis (unless specifically defined in context), goal-setting, role-model, passion.
I can't say I've been terribly consistent with this mission, but it has been an overall direction I have tried to move in. To that effect, I've spent some time thinking about how I work; what makes me feel good and what doesn't. What kind of complexes or 'тараканы в голове' I have. A couple I knew in advance, like, that I do better when I feel I'm 'ahead' or doing well rather than when I feel like I am or I need to catch up.
Another, I've recognized recently is that I have a martyr complex. One of the reasons I like to work late (after about 5 or 6 PM) is that I feel like I'm not expected to, so it's 'extra credit.' It's demonstrating my undying commitment to education and science!
Except that it really isn't. Because if I was really that committed, I'd work just as earnestly and have just as much motivation between 9 and 5 as I do outside these hours...
So, what to do? Is this complex something I should get rid of, or find a way to use?
I lean toward finding a way to use it. Along with my disposition for Nice Things (e.g. office supplies for HW, yoga pants, etc.), my discovery that for hardcore studying nothing beats EB's Bagels, that I like posting my miles-run total in my blog posts and watch it creep up, and I like getting gold stars for keeping up with my exercise plans :)
On another Life Balance Project topic: words I hate:
Productivity, networking, critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis (unless specifically defined in context), goal-setting, role-model, passion.
