Today I turn 36!

I know I shouldn’t ask for birthday gifts, but heck, I couldn’t resist.

There are 2 things you can do to make this day a great one.

FIRST THING…

Will you share one specific thing that either my blog, my book, my talk, or my personal interaction with you has helped in some kind of way?

Maybe it was you getting better grades, or passing a school test.  Maybe you were motivated  to achieve more, and go after your life goals.  Maybe you read something or heard me say something that really influenced your life. Whatever the case, go ahead and share what that is. Just leave me a kind comment on this post.

The more specific, the better. Share a story. Share specific, concrete details. Tell me what it meant to you. This will be the best birthday gift ever.

SECOND THING…

I’ve been honored to help close to 500,000 students succeed in school and in life… and I’m hungry to help more.  I’m personally cranking up my mojo to increase student retention, help schools reach their test score goals, and help students win inside and outside the clasroom. Even though its my birthday, I’m giving YOU or a dear student you know a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT – my  best selling Academic Success E-book FREE.

All you have to do is enter info below and tell me where to send your gift. It’s just that simple.

 

Primary Name:

Primary Email:

If you do these 2 things today my 36th birthday will be so awesome.

Random Posts

As I travel the country to speak to students on how to get better grades, pass standardized test, and make the most of their education, I’m baffled by the student-counselor, parent-counselor  and student-advisor relationships.

In some cases, students don’t know if they are on track for graduation or have the required classes to get into college; and the parents aren’t involved. In other cases, students are spending time with their counselors and “juicing them” for great information.

Which one are you?

During my high school days, I stayed in my counselors office (as well as my mother) to make sure that I had everything I needed to make the leap from high school to college. While in college, I spent time with my college advisor to make sure that I was doing the necessary thing to maximize my college experience and plan for future career. THEY  BOTH PAID OFF!!

High School Counselors and College Advisors are FOR YOU! Believe it or not, it makes them very happy when their students succeed. So utilize the great advice and services that counselors and advisors offer at your school – take full advantage of them!

Here’s a few conversation starters with your counselors and advisors

CONVERSATION STARTERS

20 Great Questions to Ask Your High School Counselor

What to Ask Your Academic Advisor in College

College Prep Checklist

Financial Planning for  the Future College Bill

OTHER RESOURCES

I Went To College , But Don’t Know Why?

Solving Teen Identity Issues

This is a small list of questions  and resources just to engage in healthy communication between the student, the parent and the counselor/advisor.

If you feel additional questions or resources need to be asked, leave me a comment below so that I and others can benefit from your suggestions.

Random Posts

So many students deal with this on school test, final exams; both in highschool and in college. Your student success and academic success in education is solely based on how you approach all of your exams.

So what did you think of this video?  Did you like it? Was it helpful?

Here’s another resource on how to prepare for those test and final exams.

 Pass it on to your colleagues, students, children or other friends, and let me know how you deal with test anxiety? Have you mastered it or do you even notice it?

//Talk to you soon!

Random Posts

So many students deal with this on school test, final exams; both in highschool and in college. Your student success and academic success in education is solely based on how you approach all of your exams.

So what did you think of this video?  Did you like it? Was it helpful?

Here’s another resource on how to prepare for those test and final exams.

 Pass it on to your colleagues, students, children or other friends, and let me know how you deal with test anxiety? Have you mastered it or do you even notice it?

//Talk to you soon!

Random Posts

It’s that time of the school year where…

…Your academic gas tank is running empty, and you’re not motivated to ace your exams.

…You hate to get up in the morning to report to class, or hate to go to school after a long day of work.

…You study just enough to get a passing grade and you really don’t care.

…You find yourself waiting till the last minute to do assignments, study for exams, and write papers.

…You have a mental tattoo that reads “Complacency is Cool” and it shows daily.

If you are high school student, college student, adult student, online student, or “off for a while” student and the above sounds like you, you are most like dealing with APATHY.  Today, I  have a few suggestions for you.

Six Definitions That Indicate You Are Dealing with Apathy

1. Apathy is when you lack EMOTION.
2. Apathy is when you lack MOTIVATION.
3. Apathy is when you lack ENTHUSIASM
4. Apathy is the state of not CARING.
5. Apathy is the state of not WANTING TO KNOW.
6. Apathy is when you are satisfied with COMPLACENCY.

I Dealt With This In School Also, You Are Not Alone

While in graduate school at Lehigh University, pursuing my first Master’s degree in Polymer Science and Engineering, “Apathy” was the middle initial in my name “Kantis A. Simmons”

Attending a school in a slow paced city, like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania felt like the wilderness that Jesus was in. Even though Jesus was there for only 40 days, I was there for two years. It was so *wack* there, well at least before I over came the stress and depression caused by apathy.

I would watch hours of TV, when I should have been in the laboratory working on my thesis. When it was time to read books and scientific journals, I found myself reading sport magazines. This lead to a few weeks of poor results on test, headaches, and weeks of sluggishness. Now this was probably duplicated when I was in high school or even in undergraduate school, but I found a way to constantly pull myself out of the “rut”

Here Are 7.25 Actions I Did to Overcome Apathy as a Student, and YOU Can Too.

1 – Do Something. When you find yourself not wanting to do anything, do something. Pick up a book, take yourself out on the town, go hang with a good friend, color in a coloring book, or go have a super fun day,

2 – Sketch a Picture of Yourself. Whip out a piece of paper and sketch how you look, and in most cases the image on the piece a paper will be either how you want to look, funny and make u smile, or disgust you on how you presently look. The feelings generated from this picture will help you realize how you actually envision yourself.  As a result it will paint for you an internal image of your mindset.  “Before you can go forward in life, you must identify where you are.”

3 – Re-identify or Identify Your Academic Goals. Take sometime to assess why you are school, and what kind of G.P.A. you want to accomplish. Make sure your goals are written, present, personal, and positive. If you need help writing goals or want to know more about setting Academic Goals check this out.

4 – Craft a Clear Vision. When you don’t have a clear vision on something, life can be cloudy. Take some time to write a vision statement of your life purpose. It will help you stay on track. Here’s my vision:

I Kantis Simmons strive to be the leader in information publishing that changes the mindset, attitude, actions and life habits of students and professionals by developing and presenting resources (seeds) to help them understand their unique and customized purpose and be thoroughly equipped to carry it out in the earth – thus making their lives, their families and their call fruitful.

5 – Hang Out With New Friends. Look in your cell phone, look at your classmates, look at your text buddies, look at your close internet friends. Who’s Bringing You down? Who’s devaluing you? Find some new eagles, and fly with them.  Friend Me on Facebook or Twitter, I’m an Eagle. I would love to become your friend, so connect with me or email me at kantis (at) playingyouragame.com

6 – Take Your Failures and Turn Them Into Successes. Think of a few failures you have had this school term thus far. How can you re-frame those into positive experiences? What did you learn from those experiences that can help you avoid further issues?

7 – Find Someone Who’s Less Fortunate Than You Are. There are many people who would love to be where you are right now. Look around and discover just how blessed you are. No matter what your situation, there is something good that you can be thankful for. Don’t have a “Pity Party” – have a “Praise Party”. Praise all those who have helped you get to where you are today. Send them an email or handwritten postcard to simply say thank you. This would make you feel so good.

7. 25 – Get Off Your Rear End. Like my high school baseball coach would say; “Get the Lead Out Your Butt Kantis” I’m not meaning to be offensive, I’m just telling you what he told me (and it worked). Realize that where you are right now is not your final destination, but it is a point on the path. Keep your left foot continuously moving in front of your right, and run towards your goals. You can do it my friend!

Apathy is nothing to hold on to. If not dealt with, it can lead to stress, depression, defeat, or even suicide. I hope this article was helpful for you, and I realize that we all have our down moments, so I would love to hear what YOU do to refuel and overcome lack of motivation.

Leave me your suggestions in the leave a reply section below, so that myself and others can be blessed by your ideas.

Apathy is not only experienced by students, but it is also experienced by teachers, parents, and professionals in the work place. So, don’t keep this article a secret, share with some deserving student or parent.

“There’s only one Game in life that Counts, and That’s Your “A” Game.” – Kantis Simmons

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Well the media has followed his career from beginning to end, his death was very shocking for the entire world, and now his last appearance is on film. Michael Jackson’s move THIS IS IT, was very interesting and educational to see.

I can honestly say that I did not plan on seeing  this movie so soon… but I’m glad I did. With my pricey Twizzlers in hand and my large mixed ICEEE at my side (that were both more than my matinee ticket price) I sat in an fairly empty theater zoomed to see what the rumors were all about.

I can be known to watch things with a critical eye, but today I chose to simply enjoy this movie, which was a ‘behind the scenes concert rehearsal capture’ directed by Kenny Ortega. “This Is It” was not suppose to be it for Michael Jackson, but instead it produced some great lessons to be learned. Academic success principles, business principles, biblical principles all could be pulled from this movie, but today here are 7.25 Life Lessons and Success Principles that anyone can use to improve their life.

FEW RANDOM OBSERVATIONS

Before I share my *deep* life lessons,  maybe you can help me with these or had the same randomness when viewing the movie. Feel free to tweet me if you have the answers

1. Early in the movie, did it seem like Michael Jackson dancing skills were off? Was MJ getting old? Maybe he was just in 1st gear.
2. Did you hear that  bass line reprise on the end of the Thriller part – HOT!! Was that from another song?
3. Why was that black coat so big that he was wearing, I’m assuming he borrowed it to stay warm?
4. I loved the little girl holding the world – you must stay to the end (after the credits).

So here are the 7.25 Life Lessons…

1 – Have a Strong Personal Coach.

Whatever you plan on doing in life, there is someone who has gone before you and both failed and/or succeeded. All successfull people have coaches, mentors or trainers. In this movie, Michael Jackson’s Dance Choreographer, Travis Payne, was by his side making sure he had his moves down. We didn’t see all of the hands on instruction that goes behind the scenes to his development, but the choregrapher was there to make sure he knew where to go next on the stage and what move would be most effective.

In my workshops and speeches, I make reference to other greats  like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods; both had personal coaches to help them get better. If the greatest basketball player and golfer of all time needed a coach, what makes you think you don’t need one? Both MJ and MJ did.

If you are pursuing an academic degree, starting a new business, or trying to become a better parent – locate a strong and proven coach that can propel you to the next level. I myself have several coaches that I invest into every year, because I want to get better as as a speaker, academic success coach, and author.  You should too – I challenge you to locate one.

If you want to know who I coach with then, or want me to coach you, ask me here.

2 – Your Vision in Life, Will Pull Forth Vision Out of Others.

I loved listening to the testimonies of the dancers and the musicians in the movie. A consistent thought from all of them was that by having the opportunity to work with Michael Jacskon was a big goal or dream of theirs. One male dancer even mentioned how at a young age he wanted to work with Michael Jackson, and when given the opportunity  to audition, he dropped everything he had going to pursue his dance dream.

I’m pretty sure that over Michael Jackson’s career, his vision of excellence and his vision to help the entire world caused those around him to enhance and focus their vision.  So I ask you, Will your life vision pull vision out of those you work with?

3 – Work  Only With The Best.

Every championship team realizes that it takes *total* teamwork to become a champion in their sport; and if you can get the best players to play together on one team then that is almost a sure guarantee for victory. Like the USA Basketball team has done repeatedly  in the  World Olympics, Michael Jackson gathered the best of the best to play on his team. From producers, videographers, costume directors, choreographers, staging, lighting and musicians he hired only the best.

One of my friends and mentors, Jonathan Sprinkles said to me one time, “Hang out with, study, and coach with the #1 person in any field (not the #2 person), because the #1 person is #1 one for a reason.”

4 – Have a Bigger Purpose For What You Do in Life.

Even though Michael Jackson was the king of POP, an icon and  has had so many songs on the top music charts, his greater purpose was to heal the world – heal how people love one another and how people love the world in which we live in.

What’s your greater purpose? Why do you ultimately exist? Why do you do what you do?

As for me, my greater purpose is to enhance the mindset, attitude, actions and life habits of students and professionals by developing and presenting resources to help them understand their unique and customized purpose. Then be thoroughly equipped to carry it out in the earth – thus making their lives, their families and their calling fruitful.

5 – Capture The Key Moments of Your Life and Learn From Them.

At the beginning of the movie, Director kenny Ortega mentioned that this movie came about because of the video camera that were in rehearsals and the footage was going to go in Michael Jackson’s personal private collection.

I’m sure that Michael Jackson was his own biggest critic about his craft and was going to use this footage to analyze himself, analyze his show, and use it to get better at his craft. Whisch is an awesome thing to do.

I myself do this after completing a great talk for a high school or college. I would sit down and replay the entire footage of my speech. Most time its’ painful to watch, because I sincerly want to be the best at what I do when engaging a crowd.

I encourage you to capture those key moments in your life. If it’s a presentation, perfrormance event, or simple conversation with someone – use that recorded footage to learn more about yourself and get better.

6 – Stay Teachable and Humble.

It is very obvious from his lifetime of music success that Michael Jackson was teachable and understood humility.

It was very powerful to see how the music director and production director knew when to submit their idea to Michael Jackson, and Michael’s to theirs. I’m pretty sure that his power packed team had a load of great ideas for the concert, but they were willing to adjust and be flexible for the overall objective. It was never about *their* agenda, but about the mission at hand.

Being teachable, flexible, submissive  and willing to adjust your thinking for another is a key to promotion and success.

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”(I Peter 5:5)

7 – Practice, Practice, Practice and then Practice Perfect.

I love seeing  MJ do the classic dance routines to His classic songs in the movie, like “Beat It”, “Thriller”, and “Smooth Criminal”. It was very obvious that because of repetition, he was able to do it sweatlessly and flawlessly. it even seemed to me that he had regained his youth when doing those moves, versus other times he looked kind of old and stiff. (Just my randomness again)

Practice does not make perfect, but perfect and correct practice makes perfect.

When it comes to school academics, business, or any life endeavor, your preparation phase will always determine your outcome of victory. You may have heard the famous saying,” When preparation meets opportunity it produces success”, which is so true. See this video and this video where I talk more about this concept of preparation.

7.25 -Know Your Craft Better Than Anyone Else.

The music director and various musicians in the band, said that Michael Jackson knew all of his songs. He knew the key, the tempo, the rhythm of certain riffs. He was a student of his own music and his craft.

Seeing and hearing this on camera instantly made me evaluate my life. As my mind wondered spanned the years of my existence, I was convicted and yet convinced to simply get better. Know my craft!!

You too must daily judge your life and craft. Where do you have cracks? Where are you weak? Where do you need to improve? How are you settling for average when you know that excellence is needed?

If you ever want to do the best, you must consistently do things that will propel you to be the best. Average people will never fully see the best, because their mindset and actions are like everyone else. Success is hard, and it is not for the weak. If you want better, then do better. Consistently learn, consistently train, and consistently improve.

So there you have it… The 7.25 Lessons I Learned from Michael Jackson’s This Is It”.

*** Now I’m sure that if you have seen the movie, there’s a lot that you learned from it as well. Please leave a comment or reply and let me know what you learned. Share your thoughts, it may be the exact thing that somebody else needs to hear.***

If you like this article feel free to read my other articles here, subscribe to my free newsletter, or connect with me on facebook or twitter.

Related Posts

• 7.25 Life Lessons You Must Learn From Michael Jackson's Movie "This Is It"
• 7.25 Ways to Set and Achieve All of Your Academic Goals
• The Attribute of Super Bowl Champions – PREPARATION [video]

I can honestly say that I did not plan on seeing  this movie so soon… but I’m glad I did. With my pricey Twizzlers in hand and my large mixed ICEEE at my side (that were both more than my matinee ticket price) I sat in an fairly empty theater zoomed to see what the rumors were all about.

I can be known to watch things with a critical eye, but today I chose to simply enjoy this movie, which was a ‘behind the scenes concert rehearsal capture’ directed by Kenny Ortega. “This Is It” was not suppose to be it for Michael Jackson, but instead it produced some great lessons to be learned. Academic success principles, business principles, biblical principles all could be pulled from this movie, but today here are 7.25 Life Lessons and Success Principles that anyone can use to improve their life.

FEW RANDOM OBSERVATIONS

Before I share my *deep* life lessons,  maybe you can help me with these or had the same randomness when viewing the movie. Feel free to tweet me if you have the answers

1. Early in the movie, did it seem like Michael Jackson dancing skills were off? Was MJ getting old? Maybe he was just in 1st gear.
2. Did you hear that  bass line reprise on the end of the Thriller part – HOT!! Was that from another song?
3. Why was that black coat so big that he was wearing, I’m assuming he borrowed it to stay warm?
4. I loved the little girl holding the world – you must stay to the end (after the credits).

So here are the 7.25 Life Lessons…

1 – Have a Strong Personal Coach.

Whatever you plan on doing in life, there is someone who has gone before you and both failed and/or succeeded. All successfull people have coaches, mentors or trainers. In this movie, Michael Jackson’s Dance Choreographer, Travis Payne, was by his side making sure he had his moves down. We didn’t see all of the hands on instruction that goes behind the scenes to his development, but the choregrapher was there to make sure he knew where to go next on the stage and what move would be most effective.

In my workshops and speeches, I make reference to other greats  like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods; both had personal coaches to help them get better. If the greatest basketball player and golfer of all time needed a coach, what makes you think you don’t need one? Both MJ and MJ did.

If you are pursuing an academic degree, starting a new business, or trying to become a better parent – locate a strong and proven coach that can propel you to the next level. I myself have several coaches that I invest into every year, because I want to get better as as a speaker, academic success coach, and author.  You should too – I challenge you to locate one.

If you want to know who I coach with then, or want me to coach you, ask me here.

2 – Your Vision in Life, Will Pull Forth Vision Out of Others.

I loved listening to the testimonies of the dancers and the musicians in the movie. A consistent thought from all of them was that by having the opportunity to work with Michael Jacskon was a big goal or dream of theirs. One male dancer even mentioned how at a young age he wanted to work with Michael Jackson, and when given the opportunity  to audition, he dropped everything he had going to pursue his dance dream.

I’m pretty sure that over Michael Jackson’s career, his vision of excellence and his vision to help the entire world caused those around him to enhance and focus their vision.  So I ask you, Will your life vision pull vision out of those you work with?

3 – Work  Only With The Best.

Every championship team realizes that it takes *total* teamwork to become a champion in their sport; and if you can get the best players to play together on one team then that is almost a sure guarantee for victory. Like the USA Basketball team has done repeatedly  in the  World Olympics, Michael Jackson gathered the best of the best to play on his team. From producers, videographers, costume directors, choreographers, staging, lighting and musicians he hired only the best.

One of my friends and mentors, Jonathan Sprinkles said to me one time, “Hang out with, study, and coach with the #1 person in any field (not the #2 person), because the #1 person is #1 one for a reason.”

4 – Have a Bigger Purpose For What You Do in Life.

Even though Michael Jackson was the king of POP, an icon and  has had so many songs on the top music charts, his greater purpose was to heal the world – heal how people love one another and how people love the world in which we live in.

What’s your greater purpose? Why do you ultimately exist? Why do you do what you do?

As for me, my greater purpose is to enhance the mindset, attitude, actions and life habits of students and professionals by developing and presenting resources to help them understand their unique and customized purpose. Then be thoroughly equipped to carry it out in the earth – thus making their lives, their families and their calling fruitful.

5 – Capture The Key Moments of Your Life and Learn From Them.

At the beginning of the movie, Director kenny Ortega mentioned that this movie came about because of the video camera that were in rehearsals and the footage was going to go in Michael Jackson’s personal private collection.

I’m sure that Michael Jackson was his own biggest critic about his craft and was going to use this footage to analyze himself, analyze his show, and use it to get better at his craft. Whisch is an awesome thing to do.

I myself do this after completing a great talk for a high school or college. I would sit down and replay the entire footage of my speech. Most time its’ painful to watch, because I sincerly want to be the best at what I do when engaging a crowd.

I encourage you to capture those key moments in your life. If it’s a presentation, perfrormance event, or simple conversation with someone – use that recorded footage to learn more about yourself and get better.

6 – Stay Teachable and Humble.

It is very obvious from his lifetime of music success that Michael Jackson was teachable and understood humility.

It was very powerful to see how the music director and production director knew when to submit their idea to Michael Jackson, and Michael’s to theirs. I’m pretty sure that his power packed team had a load of great ideas for the concert, but they were willing to adjust and be flexible for the overall objective. It was never about *their* agenda, but about the mission at hand.

Being teachable, flexible, submissive  and willing to adjust your thinking for another is a key to promotion and success.

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”(I Peter 5:5)

7 – Practice, Practice, Practice and then Practice Perfect.

I love seeing  MJ do the classic dance routines to His classic songs in the movie, like “Beat It”, “Thriller”, and “Smooth Criminal”. It was very obvious that because of repetition, he was able to do it sweatlessly and flawlessly. it even seemed to me that he had regained his youth when doing those moves, versus other times he looked kind of old and stiff. (Just my randomness again)

Practice does not make perfect, but perfect and correct practice makes perfect.

When it comes to school academics, business, or any life endeavor, your preparation phase will always determine your outcome of victory. You may have heard the famous saying,” When preparation meets opportunity it produces success”, which is so true. See this video and this video where I talk more about this concept of preparation.

7.25 -Know Your Craft Better Than Anyone Else.

The music director and various musicians in the band, said that Michael Jackson knew all of his songs. He knew the key, the tempo, the rhythm of certain riffs. He was a student of his own music and his craft.

Seeing and hearing this on camera instantly made me evaluate my life. As my mind wondered spanned the years of my existence, I was convicted and yet convinced to simply get better. Know my craft!!

You too must daily judge your life and craft. Where do you have cracks? Where are you weak? Where do you need to improve? How are you settling for average when you know that excellence is needed?

If you ever want to do the best, you must consistently do things that will propel you to be the best. Average people will never fully see the best, because their mindset and actions are like everyone else. Success is hard, and it is not for the weak. If you want better, then do better. Consistently learn, consistently train, and consistently improve.

So there you have it… The 7.25 Lessons I Learned from Michael Jackson’s This Is It”.

*** Now I’m sure that if you have seen the movie, there’s a lot that you learned from it as well. Please leave a comment or reply and let me know what you learned. Share your thoughts, it may be the exact thing that somebody else needs to hear.***

If you like this article feel free to read my other articles here, subscribe to my free newsletter, or connect with me on facebook or twitter.

Related Posts

• 7.25 Life Lessons You Must Learn From Michael Jackson’s Movie “This Is It”
• 7.25 Ways to Set and Achieve All of Your Academic Goals
• The Attribute of Super Bowl Champions – PREPARATION [video]

“Focus People Focus!”

That’s the phrase I hear running through my mind every time I set my desire to do something, and find myself getting distracted.

This too is the phrase I remember hearing the Drama Director shout when I kept messing up my theatrical lines in the production “Spunk” while in graduate school at Lehigh University.

“Focus People Focus!”

This is the phrase that I want to tattoo on your mind, for it is the root cause for low academic performance and sub par school grades. It’s also the foundational reason successful people are successful – they know HOW to focus.

With so may things going on in our society, with access to so many resources, with varying life responsibilities, and not to name all this twitter, facebook, and youtube stuff on the internet (in which I’m all on), FOCUS can be challenging for the common student.

Whether you are a high school student, a college student, online student, or an adult student raising a family while working a full-time job I have something for you.

Before I give you these essential ways to focus better while studying, here are few motivators to support my claims:

• “When you write down your ideas you automatically focus your full attention on them. Few if any of us can write one thought and think another at the same time. Thus a pencil and paper make excellent concentration tools.” – Michael Leboeuf

• “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.” - Anthony Robbins

• “If you stay focused and right on track, you will get to where you want to be.” – Michelle C. Ustaszeski

• “The sun’s energy warms the world. But when you focus it through a magnifying glass it can start a fire. Focus is so powerful!” – Alan Pariser

Let me say this, as an academic success speaker who speaks to students at educational events, youth conferences and college events, and run an online internet business, lead a family, and author books – FOCUS sometimes is still a challenge for me, but as I reflect back, FOCUS has produced some great things in my life pertaining to my own academic success and still does today – and will for you too.

If you have issues  staying focused while studying, do this:

1 – State Your Desired Goal

When you go into any study session, if it’s at home alone, on campus at the library, or in a group session – state your goals. At the beginning of your study time, write down what you desire to accomplish during this study time. (It may seem nerdish, but the group will love you for it too)

2 – Set a Time Frame for Intentional Focus

When you make a decision to study your school work, set a specific alloted time to focus. On purpose write down, ”For the next _____ Minutes I focus on______ only.” By writing this down, this helps you to stick to the desired goal at hand and it triggers your mind to be intentional.

3 – Declare Your Reward  for Intentional Focus

Rewarding yourself is a great motivator for focusing for a set period of time. For example, you can reward yourself by simply taking 10 minutes to enjoy something you love… playing a video game, talking to your bf, chatting on the internet, eating ice cream, or whatever you desire. The key is to make sure your compensation is relative to what you achieved. After you reward yourself, then get back to focusing.

4 – Turn Off All Distractions

This seems obvious right? But i have found that distractions are the #1 enemy to you accomplishing any goal, and our goal is to focus on the school assignment. Therefore turn it all off…the TV, the iPod, the stereo, the cell phone, the internet, the tweets, the pokes, the video games, everything. Even go so far to let your family, friends, and classmates know. “For the next ______ minutes, I need to  completely focus on studying so leave me a message or I will get with you at later specific time.” (That a great voice mail greeting or facebook status)

5 – Remove Clutter and Keep Things Clean

Dr. Laurence J. Peter once said, “If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?”

By simply cleaning your work area or study area it allows your mind to be clear, which will also eliminate distractions.

6 – Gather Only the Resources You Need For Studying

This is self explanatory but I must stress to only have in front of you everything that you need for one specific subject. If it doesn’t relate with the class you are studying for, remove it completely from your study area.

Want more info on how to properly create a study area then click here. If you want to see the two main reasons for the bed, then watch this video, cause studying is not one of them.

7 – Read Through All Your Written Notes From Beginning to End

To maximize most of your study sessions, start from the beginning reading all of your study notes aloud, and highlight the areas that you will need to spend more intentional focus time on. Make sure you don’t stop but continue to move forward with your notes, then review those trouble areas.

7.25 – Read Textbooks and  Other Resources, Work Problems, and Review All Notes To Enhance Comprehension

Here’s where you spend the majority of your study time. After doing the above 7 steps with discipline, you will find that as you go through this step your retention of information will be better, because you are now completely zoned in.

As a follow up to this article, I will give you some ways to better focus while in class. Until then you can see here for more study tips, from note taking, reading, listening in class and even how to properly C.R.A.M.

As I echo my Drama Director. “Focus People Focus!”

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After hearing her frustration, I instantly started pondering….”Why did she wait till the last minute? Why is she up late and now thinking about writing her three papers for class that are due the next few days?”

Now before I pass judgment on my kin, I too remember the nights of cramming, stressing, and beating myself up for waiting till the last minute…it really is painful, and it ALWAYS causes you to come up short.

Now back to my kin folk… as aggressive of a woman she is, as
passionate of a mother she is, as wonderful of a wife she is…she’s enrolled as an online student finishing a Master’s degree.

Like myself, you can possibly relate to this mother who is in school, trying to hold down her family, and complete various writing assignments for class.

Well here’s a great strategy to write your papers faster and get it done quicker.

I used this technique when completing my Master’s thesis, authoring my first book, Playing Your “A” Game, and used it to write various articles and blogs.

I’m writing this present article right now on my blackberry in a crowded room of people watching Saturday night College football while I apply this very technique.

Now this simple technique, has already proven to benefit my family member – she used it to complete those papers that night, and is trying to discipline herself to use it for the weekly papers she will have in the future.

So what’s the writing technique right??

Before I reveal the technique, there is cool computer software to assist you with this concept as well. See my recommendations below.

Here’s 7.25 simple steps to complete your writing assignments faster

1. Open up a blank computer document or pull out a blank sheet of paper.

2. Brainstorm and think about what you are about to write, imagine your thoughts from beginning to end.

3. Start typing and writing without stopping. Type consistently without going backwards or pausing to make any edits or correct spelling errors.

4. Fully empty your mind and conscience with all the thoughts concerning your writing assignment… just don’t stop writing, until you get to the end or a great stopping point.

5. Re-read the paper and while you read, edit all quickly noticeable errors and misspelled words.

6. Then go back and complete all missing thoughts, quotes, phrases that will strengthen your paper, and again don’t stop.

7. Re-read the paper and complete a final edit to errors, phrasing and misspelled words

7.25 Allow a colleague, friend or mentor to read through your paper from beginning to end to give any final corrections.

There you have it!

The enemy to this concept of “distraction free speed writing” is trying to edit and correct spelling mistakes as you go. The second enemy is trying to multi-task or do other things while you are writing your paper.

Uninterrupted focus is essential…

As I mentioned earlier, there is DISTRACTION FREE computer software that will assist in this. This software will help you focus on writing by “blacking out” your screen, except the document area in which you are writing.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Write Room (Mac-Only)
• JDarkRoom
• q10 (PC-only)
• Writer (online application)

So did you get this simple concept?

If you are so bold, you can even dim the light on your computer screen and type without looking at what is being etched out

So can you do this?? Can you make this happen to speed up your writing?

Well there’s my advise on how to make this happen. If you have other suggestions, I would love for you to chime in and leave your thoughts and advise in the comment area.

If you have anything else that would help my family member or any other student who has to write all the time, then leave your suggestions below.

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The time has come! No more sleeping in. No more relaxing. It’s time for new routines, structured schedules and hard work. The school year has started – again. To achieve success in school this year, these simple but strategic habits  must be developed.

1. Set Your Academic Goals and Review Them Everyday

Dreams don’t come true – Goals do. Before next summer rolls around again, what academic goals do you want to achieve?

Set academic goals to achieve, write them down and post them in a place where you can look at them everyday. You should first sit down with your family and discuss the desired goal and then set your academic goals. Make those goals positive, personal, and in the present. Then, write down your goals and make them visible in four key places: (1) the bedroom, (2) the bathroom, (3) the kitchen, and (4) in your notebooks.

Click here for a MP3 download on how to set and achieve academic goals.

2. Develop a Daily Routine

Now that you have determined your goals you must develop a plan to achieve them. Come up with a systematic routine that you can follow every day to achieve your goals and write it down. Include necessities like breakfast time, dinnertime, fun time, chore time, sleep time, social time and of course study time. Remember, when you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

3. Study During Peak Performance Time

Identify the period of day when you are most alert or “wired up” outside of school. This should be the time YOU study. Traditionally, the pattern for *study time* has been right after you get home and change out of your school clothes or right before dinnertime. (Remember school clothes, church clothes, and play clothes?). After spending 6-9 hours in school, it may be wise to incorporate naptime or refresher-time before studying. Studies have shown that students perform poorly when they are mentally tired, drained or unfocused. Whatever time you are most alert outside of school, make that your study time. I guarantee you will see an increase in academic performance.

4. Schedule Weekly Family Chat Sessions

Make sure you have weekly family chat sessions or what I like to  call Family Love Sessions. Take this time to discuss school crushes, fashion trends, music, insecurities, and future plans. Family is a key element to achieving your goals because they will assist you when you need it. This is also a great time to develop better relationships. (An alternative to this is setting time with a mature friend, mentor or adviser).

5. Change the Flashing 12:00 on Your VCR

You should already know that television can steal your time and productivity. You do not have to stop watching television in order to achieve your academic goals but watching during your peak performance time can hinder your progress. So brush the dust off your VCR or learn how to use a DVR and watch your favorite shows during your non-peak performing times. Use all the new technology to your benefit and don’t ever allow television to steal the precious hours you have available during the day.

6. Isolate Your Study Chamber and Keep It Holy

The kitchen has a specific purpose, the bathroom has a specific purpose, and your study chamber has a specific purpose. You should not eat dinner in the bathroom and you should not shower in the kitchen. There are also things you should not do in your study chamber. Your study chamber should be a specific location where only one thing happens – STUDYING.

Click here to get a few tips on setting up and establishing a productive study chamber.

7. Uncover all Fears and Stinking Thinking

Believe it or not, FEAR is the one thing that can destroy academic performance. Most term it “anxiety” and as a student you experience it during tests, when you are embarrassed around your classmates or when you feel unprepared. Despite setting goals and studying, FEAR can completely destroy your efforts. It can also cause you to become unfocused and think that you will fail and not reach your goals. Always remember this, FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real – FEAR is not real. Whenever you experience anxiety or may be fearful, remember you do not have to, because failure is only appearing to be real, it is fake. So in school or in life, never FEAR!

7.25 Declare Your Greatness

Your mouth has the power to create so establish positive confessions and declare them aloud daily. Since our words frame how we think and feel, say only the best. Don’t commit academic goal suicide by speaking negative words, thinking negative thoughts, and having negative feelings. Talk your way to achieving your goals.

Feel free to share and forward this to your friends and colleagues.  Leave me a comment below, and let me know what you got from this article.

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Kantis Simmons is an Academic Success Coach that help college students and high school students stay in school, enjoy school and pay for school. With his 7.25 Academic Success System, he presents live presentations to students and parents. Acclaimed for earning 3 degrees and more that $300,000 of scholarship money, Kantis can be reached at http://www.KantisSimmons.com. If you want more academic advise to help you or someone you know succeed in school, subscribe to get his FREE “Gameplan” newsletter and instantly get a 7-Day academic success E-course FREE.

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