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Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose

The key to great success, better job performance, and better health? Intrinsic motivation. Or what Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive, calls Type I behavior (good news- reverting back to our natural instincts of working intrinsically is something we’re all capable of). I finished this book a few weeks ago (which also prompted me to…

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Know Your Audience

As a college professor and lecturer/speaker, it’s important to know your audience, relate to them, and keep them engaged. Otherwise your message is lost. Those are some of the simple lessons (reminders, really) that I was taught while reading The Naked Presenter by Garr Reynolds over the weekend. No matter what subject you teach, you…

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Procrastinating Wisely

Like most people, I have a tendency to procrastinate. However, I’ve learned that putting things off and wasting time makes me feel much worse about the situation and can be extremely stressful. Now, most people will tell you to just not procrastinate, and their methods are great if you’ve got enough willpower to really dive…

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Learning to Relax: Experiments with Outdoor Yoga

This morning I sat in a local park with 15 or so other people, stretched, practiced deep breathing, and generally enjoyed myself. Before I go on, it might be important to note: I normally don’t like yoga. If I’m going to workout, I’d prefer a 3-mile run, a kickboxing class, or anything vigorous that leaves…

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5 Tips for Being Happier (In and Out of the Classroom)

As you well know, I’m not a doctor. However, the following are things I do in my life to stay healthy and happy. Over the years I’ve figured out what does and doesn’t work for me. Hopefully, my personal tips can help you in some small way. 1. Adopt positive habits People who smile in…

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10 Ways to Be a Happier, More Successful Professor

As an adjunct instructor with motivated students and a generally positive outlook on life, other professors (and people in general) tend to have one question in common for me: How are you doing this successfully? It’s not always easy, but here are 10 tricks to being happier, and more successful, as a part-time or full-time…