The Calm Before the Storm

Water and storm clouds

Dear Real Academics,

Empathy

I feel you. I really do. 

Many of you have communicated with me about the inevitable mix of excitement and stress of the beginning of a new school year. 

For lack of a better non-cliche phrase, "There's something in the air" as summer ends and the school year begins, and most everyone is feeling the seasonal change.


Action

With that, I want to do a few things.

(1) First, I am going to refraining from posting NEW blogs for the rest of this month - I'll recycle some old ones on LinkedIn for those who may still want some content.
The last thing you probably want is more email (for those signed up for our newsletter) or posts (for those who follow on LinkedIn), especially at the beginning of the school year.

(2) Second, I am writing this post to encourage you. What you do is important.
Whether you are an educator or a student or parent of a student or whatever you do, it is important. In fact, I encourage you to dwell on this point to help you get through the beginning of the school year. In reading Angelica Ribeiro's book, Running Into Happiness, I was reminded about how even a small change in how I perceive a situation can help decrease stress and increase happiness. For example, as you  open "the "dreaded work email inbox or "the next start of the semester meeting," try to think about why what you do is important and/or how blessed you are to have work that provides for you and your family. 

(3) Third, I am not writing to sound unrealistically positive. I also want to remind you to take care of yourself.
The start of the semester can be exciting and stressful. I have several blogs about ways to manage stress that you might want to check out.

Ideas for managing time/events/things:
Minimalism and The Most Important
Managing Many Pieces With Minimal Stress
I'm Overwhelmed! How to Eat an Elephant and Other Ideas
The Power of Logging
Ideas for managing emotions:
Need a Boost of Encouragement? The Accomplishment List
Are you Feeling Down? 4 Ideas to Manage Negative Emotions and Keep up Productivity
Working Well With Others
One Sure Way to Reduce Anxiety
Ideas specifically for academics/writers:
How to be a Happy and Productive Writer
Applying for an Academic Position? What you Should Know Beforehand
And...many more posts you can browse through here: https://therealacademics.blogspot.com/


The Most Important Things

Tiberio and I truly wish you all the best at the start of the academic semester/school year.

If you don't remember anything from this blog post, just remember this:

  • What you do is important.
  • Take care of yourself.
  • We care and are here for you.


Next Steps 

The start of a school year is a good time to get ideas for setting up a manageable and productive semester! If we can be of any service to help with managing a writing, research, statistics, and/or evaluation project, let us know. We are one email away: inforealacademics@gmail.com. We also have a Google form you can fill out, if you prefer, at www.therealacademics.com.

We're helping a couple of folks and loving it. We'd love to have you onboard! And/or, if you know of anyone that might benefit from coaching, please share our services with them.

Until next time (may be a month or so) happy writing, productivity, and truth-seeking,

Maggie and Tiberio

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