Relaxing with Rob

Your view about the size of your problems and your power to solve them can help or hurt. Although you may be "powerful beyond measure," don't let this go to your head. In other words, "Remember that you're unique--just like everybody else!"

You can smooth out some turbulence through relaxation, imagery, and distraction.

Try diaphragmatic breathing as one way to have a break from stress and prepare for challenging events.

If you think there are two kinds of people in the world, this episode is for you.  (My philosophy friends understand that while a disjunctive syllogism is a valid argument form, it's not always sound.)

Here's a link to the "Good Luck/Bad Luck" fable that I reference:
http://thepoweryogatribe.com/bad-luck-good-luck-who-knows/

We are meant to move, so why not do it with love?

Here's the Zumba video interview I mention.

Balance is attainable, but it's not easy. Here are some paths to get there:

1. Focus on prevention through exercise, sleep, nutrition, and support.
2. Be grateful if your department supports work/life balance.
3. Assertively let your supervisor know if you need a little break or some help.
4. Ask successful colleagues how they do it, and learn from them.
5. Don't buy everything the media sells about achieving balance.
6. Recognize "ebbs and flows" of balance, rather than expecting a constant state.
7. Track the hours you spend on each activity, and then make changes.
8. Breathe slowly and consciously a few times a day.

Margaret Mead's wish for her daughter ("to nest in the gale”) continues to shape my life. Could it help you as well?

Turn nervous energy into productive focus by using these tips:

Before:

1. Keep study times brief--this reduces stress and increases recall.
2. Imagine successfully performing in the exam location.

During:

1. Redefine physical anxiety as motivation, or focus, or energy.
2. To counter fear, take a few slow breaths--and think something like "doing fine."

After:

1. Try "Do your work, then step back" instead of "let it go."
2. Associate the exam with something pleasant to decondition your mind from worries.

No matter how difficult life feels, opportunities exist to find joy. These won't remove problems, but they may add balance to your perspective.

By approaching interviews in a new way ("to do a job" instead of "to get a job") Bryan Cranston's insight might help you as much as it helped him. And if you falter, just focus on graceful recovery.