A Year From Now IS Coming Soon

I can't believe school is back in session. It seems like only a couple of weeks ago we had the start of what is known around here as Summer.

Summer to those of us who work in higher education know summer isn't really that slow of a time. Sure, it has it's moments, but we are busy getting ready for the next year to begin.

We get new items ready for the incoming freshmen, as well as all the necessary things which are needed from those who have been with us for a bit of time already.

We've seen it way too often. If we waited until we took a bit of a break (pretend it's summer vacation from those grade school days), we wouldn't have what we needed ready for when the students show up. Sure, it can be a lot to do, but starting now, we don't have to worry about "what could have been."

That's what got me thinking about our outside of work moments. You know, those things we wish we can achieve, but just don't get started on them.

My Friend Terry told me a brief story this morning about the idea of wanting to start on a simple project. The thought that, yeah, it be nice to get started on it, but just felt the need to watch Young Frankenstein on television. After the movie was over, the thought came back, but there was something else on afterward. Why not watch that and then get on the project a bit later.

He ended up doing what I have done way too often... thinking Hmmm, no sense starting anything now, why not just put it off until tomorrow (or even later perhaps).

Been there, done that, probably been doing that for the past 2 months with regard to this blog... But I digress.

Paging through my calendar, I found a quote which relates fairly well with all of this.

"A year from now, don't wish you had started today."

Looking at things from the educational system calendar, it makes sense to do things that way a bit. Make whatever it is you are wanting to accomplish a course. Write your own syllabus complete with assignments, readings, suggested activities, test dates (milestone events) and whatever else you feel is useful for you to know what you're "class" is about and how it will take place.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Start your syllabus today. It's ok, I know it will take a bit of time, but start on creating it today. Start with some questions...

• What is your class?
• What is it about?
• What will you be able to do at the completion of this class?
• What are your objectives?
• How will you grade yourself?
• What assignments are necessary to complete this course?
• What have others done who have complete their own course?
• If help is needed, who or what can you do?
• How long is this course?
• If not complete in time, how much more time can be provided?

--David

NOTE: this post is part of ProBlogger's Killer Titles - Groups Writing Project

Bringing It Together

After a lengthy period of time of doing a bit of nothing, it's become time to get this blog into some sort of focused rambling of somethingness.

I like to think of it as a combination of various things from the past. Some would call it a melding of 2 blogs into one. I just call it an interim collection of loosely focused wordings building around various themes into a centralized location.

Or even better, In Search Of Ourselves - Through Writing.

The idea is to have a motivational blog, which becomes helpful for us to learn more about ourselves, by writing answers to questions, in a constructive fashion. To use writing as a way of uncovering just why in the world we are here, and what in the world we should become once we grow up (or older in my case).

Now I don't care if you are a writer or would like to be one or can't put more than six words in a row, all are welcome. The goal is to help you become motivated to move forward in whatever it is you do or feel you would like to do.

And as you can see, there are links to the right for writers. I hope to make that a part of this blog as well. We all can use a gentle kick in the tail when it comes to sitting our tail in a chair to write.

So let's get started. Head over to the main site (http://www.djstoddard.net) and download the 3 ebooks on the front page. If nothing else, it's a little light reading for the weekend ahead.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT

In 97 words or less, write about what you would like to gain from this blog.

--David