Success Strategies Short and Sweet, Well... Short and Colorful

Frequently you will hear or read me talk about using resources.  With today's technology "how to" can be answered with just a little bit of intensive effort.  IF you have reviewed earlier blogs which you can do at NO EXPENSE, you will have noted links to ted.com.  Here is a short video from TED featuring entrepreneur and author, Richard St John. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. Some of the worlds most successful people are in attendance and are speakers and you have FREE ACCESS.  The featured speaker attached to this link offers "8 Secrets of Success."  If you can handle one reference using the word "a**hole" sit back and enjoy some powerful, albeit brief, food for thought... and action. 

- Clifton McKnight is an author, educator, counselor, personal coach and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other (social)media. Visit his site at motivision.net.

Don"t Wait Participate!

As you pursue your education sometimes you may observe yourself sort of "hanging out" as if life weren't "official" until you graduate.  Well, yes and no... Certain responsibilities may defer until after graduation and to really be prepared for what lies ahead you may want to engage yourself in more activities and conduct more sessions of introspection to better know yourself.  These are indeed challenging times and challenging times call for us to be more conscious which can be a very good thing.

You should be certain to have big fun as your work to get things done.
Understand that YOU are the ONE to paint the dream, to create the scene
in between your birth and your passing.
Life is not everlasting so take the time now to do the casting
of the movie of your life.

Think about what you want to do, what is important to you and test the waters too.  That is what this time is for, you to peek through many a door until you see a path you want to take.  Don't over analyze almost any road can lead to the prize as long as you keep the faith and keep your spirit open to the possibilities.  SO, like the Microsoft brand used to say, "Where do you want to go Today?"

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

FREE Books, Courses and More

Ready for more free resources for college? Friend and fellow speaker, Barbara Talley shared these resources. Enjoy free books and classes from some of the most reputable institutions in the world like Harvard, Cornell, Berkeley, MIT. Visit Barbara's blog and expand your resource base. Check our other posts for other resources and insights. Be sure to visit other posts and resources on her page. - Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

Getting "A"s in Math/Science and More - Yes You Khan!

That's right. You "Khan" with Khan Academy online, http://www.khanacademy.org/. FREE WORLD CLASS EDUCATION BILL GATES USED TO TEACH HIS KIDS. This site is here for YOU!!! The story as shown on 60 Minutes is available on Youtube. You can access it here. Worldwide,this resource is being used. Take advantage and put in as much time as you desire, as much as you need! Change your world and supplement your learning NOW! By the way, this world class education/tutoring is available for FREE! New subjects are being added regularly. The 21st century has taken another step toward a level playing field. The difference in your learning is now even more in your control. Whether you are taking classes online or on campus, home school or after school, Khan Academy can help you get that A. In college? Need help in science, math, physics, engineering? How about history? Give it a try. I bet you will be glad you did. - Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

2012 State of the College: Finding Truth in the Student Experience

Businesses establish business plans and mission statements. They create a set of values to guide them to specific outcomes. This can be an EXCELLENT practice for all people, especially students. Let's start with a vision and establish some guiding principles or values. See how the President of Montgomery College, Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, articulates these elements to mobilize an institution and it's members to be very deliberate about making a difference. Then, you can try it too.

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

De -Stress Before You Depress

As you move into the semester you may notice that deadlines and test dates and papers and assignments and more mounting up.  Getting anxious?  Begin taking action as soon as you can, especially if you notice that you are beginning to feel a little tension.  Just doing one part of an assignment can get the ball rolling towards completing a task, easing the pressure and letting off a little steam.  (Dis)Stress is so widely present in today's society that resources abound to ease our way to comfortability if we just take small incremental steps.

You've heard them before, take some deep breaths, go for a walk.  Do just one task.   Have a good belly laugh with a friend, a movie, a book, a youtube video... then do something on your list.  If you are really stressed, do one or two healthy stress reducers. Here is something with an interesting twist:  Don't worry about your "to do list", just do something constructive then add it to the list and then check it off (ba dump bump ).  Laugh but it may just help you get started.

http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/  offers 10 useful strategies for your consideration.  Click on any of the strategies and get more information on it.  I found this link through the website of a mental health agency in the Maryland area www.mhamc.org/.  It may also prove useful to you.  Breathe, smile and let's get started.

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

Mix it Up - or Not - Learn to Love Learning

HAVE FUN WITH IT!  Variety can be engaging... Try different things.  When you do, you reinforce learning and living.  Some of  learning comes by doing, some can come by reading, watching or listening.  Just be sure to take the time to reflect on the experience and draw your own conclusions.

Physically visit your library or bookstore.  Enrich your life.  Expand your horizons. Read, learn and test the waters. Getting the benefit of others' experiences can add confidence and assuredness and when the author(s) share challenges, they can offer insight and preparation as well.  Just make it a point to enjoy the process.  Dr. Nel Noddings wrote in, HAPPINESS AND EDUCATION, 2004,

"The best homes and schools are happy places. The adults in them recognize that the highest aim of education - and life - is happiness... Happy children growing in their understanding of what happiness is, seize their educational opportunities with delight, and they will contribute to the happiness of others." 

I found this quote in a sometimes controversial yet compelling collection of essays and poems from a book called THE LOVE OF THE FIFTH PARADIGM, 2010.  Reserving your right and privilege of reflection, introspection and interpretation is usually a wise decision. 

To be sure there are many ways to learn and entertain.  Video games, books, audios and videos/movies and sports and social activities and even work offer unique and shared benefits.  HAVE FUN WITH IT ALL!  Poise yourself for better living by finding ways to enjoy yourself as you learn.  Put a little bit of your style in your learning.  If you like interacting with people, form study groups.  If you are visual, add videos to your learning.  If you are a hands on person, include activities that teach, to your reading.  Need to find strategies for doing this?  Check out your local library or bookstore... and Youtube... Do you even have a library card?  No problem, you don't need one to visit and a card is usually easy to obtain.

[ ] Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net [ ]