Okay, I know the 13th General Election in Malaysia is coming, but this post is not related to the election at all.
I had Medical Ethics class yesterday. It was the first class, before this there were only lectures. So being in class, we were in a smaller group and we had the chance to talk and discuss. Some of us had to present a topic regarding ethics pertaining to medicine.
The first topic was about favouritism. The situation was about a doctor treating a member of his family first; favouring his own relative to the patients who have been waiting in line. The relative came later than the patients so he kind of cut the queue.
The second topic was about a medical student being too close to a patient. The student was doing summer elective so he had much free time so he decided to just talk with patients. The patient was an old woman and apparently, she has been abandoned by her own son, so she was lonely. The patient told the student about her personal life. And when the assisting doctor knew that the student was getting too close with the patient, the doctor scolded the student saying that it’s not appropriate to do so.
The third situation was about a doctor scolding and yelling at a patient in front of a group of medical students for not bringing the X-ray report. This topic was discussed thoroughly and it was partly about professionalism. Some also commented that probably the doctor was “old school” , that is, some doctor believes that he/she knows best and is always right or thinks that doctors are more superior than patients.
And the fourth topic was about the healthcare system. One of the example was, should a doctor prescribe the expensive drug knowing that the drug is good for the patient although the healthcare system has put some limitation of the usage of the drug. Something like that.
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So, what are all these have got to do with the title of my post? Well, actually my lecturer mentioned this phrase when we were discussing about the third topic. I personally think that it is a really good phrase.
You see, people who are intelligent don’t show that they are intelligent. People who are talented in something don’t show that they are talented in something. People who are humble, don’t show that they are humble.
The word ‘show’ here is leaning more towards ‘show-off’ rather than just show or act.
In contrast, people who ‘think’ that they are pretty and want to be known as pretty, will try as best as they could to look pretty and show off to the world. Be it an inch-thick of make up, or immodest clothing (this is due to the fact that showing-more-skin-is-pretty’ mentality nowadays) they would do that in order to show off to the world that they are pretty.
Some people tried so hard to look rich, even though they are not.
Some people tried so hard to look or sound cool and show off to the world. The place where you can see the simplest example for this is the social networking site eg. Facebook and Twitter. It has became a phenomenon nowadays to show off everything on Facebook or Twitter. If not “look what I just bought” then it will be “hanging out with my peeps at ….” or posting photos of your face everyday showing off what make up you wear today, what clothes you wear today, what shoes and what handbag and the list goes on.
I also, personally think that some of these people (who are showing off etc) are people who feel insecure about themselves. It could be. They feel that they are not pretty enough, so they have to try hard to look pretty and show it to people. They think people don’t see they are rich enough so they have to look rich and show off. It might sound lame but these are the only easy but obvious examples I can think of right now.
The fundamental people need to know is- Who do you want to impress? What matters most to you? As for me, of course it is not the society or my friends or anyone else whom I need to impress but it is God I need to impress. God won’t matter how you look outside, but He looks at your heart. And I think I need to improve myself on this. I need to strengthen this belief because sometimes, I too, do feel like I need to impress people.Well it’s not wrong sometimes but if that thought is always fed, than it will get dominant. And I do not want that to happen. I want to be myself. I don’t want to change in order to get people to like me. But then again this doesn’t necessarily mean that I don’t have to improve at all. There has to be balance in everything.
Phewh, I never thought that I would write all of these but since it has been on my mind since yesterday, so it has to be stored somewhere. Besides, I need a reminder about this and I need to be more positive. I don’t know if this is just one of my defense mechanism against being inferior XD
So, not showing off is basically what I want to stress about here. And just be yourself. Allow people to accept you as who you are. You will be safe and the world would probably be a better place if everyone acts accordingly. Be just. Be fair. Be humble. Be positive.
There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.
The integration of excellent motivation methods and the knowledge on how to get motivated to study can have a very positive effect for a student’s studies.
A motivated student will find it easier to do all the necessary tasks that need to be done; it will especially allow students to study a lot more focused and with more concentration. Motivating yourself to study is especially helpful when you feel a lack of motivation or face procrastination during your studies.
The following tips on how to study effectively will help you to become motivated to study and to beat procrastination!
Effective Motivation Techniques for Students
How to become motivated to study?
I. The motivational power of having a goal!
One of the most effective motivational techniques students can apply is to set themselves well thought-out goals and objectives. These aims could be either short-term goals (e.g. about an upcoming exam) or long-term goals (e.g. about the achievements you want to reach during your studies in the university). Objectives and aims are one of the best sources of motivation, as they will keep you focused and enable you to “do whatever it takes” to accomplish your goals. Furthermore, cleverly chosen objectives will inspire you to greater heights, allowing you to reach your true potential. A very positive side-effect of an excellent goal is that it will drastically increase your perseverance.
Important tips for goal setting:
#1 Write your goals down
#2 Avoid vagueness, negations and necessities
#3 Split complex goals into main targets and sub-goals
#4 State how you intent to achieve your goal
#5 Visualize the accomplishment of your objective and what it feels like
#6 Gratification: reward yourself once the goal is reached
For more details and an in-depth explanation on the above named aspects of the best goal setting strategies, visit How to set goals effectively?
II. Gratification: Reward yourself!
Personally, I don’t consider the act of rewarding oneself – once a goal is accomplished – as a motivational technique for students per se, but the positive effect that a gratification can have on your motivation to study is stupendous, hence I have no other choice than including the fantastic aspect of gratification into this article. If you feel the urge to become motivated to study, set yourself a goal (as discussed in I. The motivational power of having a goal) and determine an appropriate reward once the objective is accomplished. It’s really that simple, but so effective. By rewarding yourself, whenever a goal is achieved, your brain elicits positive emotions, leading to the realization that an effort results in a positive reward. Furthermore, you will – consciously or subconsciously – recognize that a high effort will result in an even more positive gratification. In accord with the formula {high effort + accomplishment of the objective = gratification} you start linking hard work with a gratification. Basically, you will associate upcoming challenges (and necessary efforts to reach a goal) as another chance to get rewarded (= positive emotions). Hence you increase your motivation to study hard which allows you to maintain your motivation on a high level, until the objective is accomplished. Also, your willingness to make an expenditure (e.g. studying) in order to accomplish the objective (e.g. an excellent grade) will raise, when having a reward in mind that you have desired for long.
Please keep in mind that this method can only stir your motivation to study as long as you apply the simple rule: {demanding objective = glorious reward} and {simple goal = small reward}. Also, it’s crucial that you DO NOT reward yourself if you fail and if you were not able to reach the objective as determined. Furthermore, the reward should be received once the goal is reached, not any time prior to this.
Important tips for rewarding yourself to become motivated to study:
#1 Set a goal & determine an appropriate reward for it’s accomplishment
#2 Associate the efforts you take with the positive reward
#4 Basic objectives should only be rewarded slightly
#5 Do not allow yourself to receive a reward if you fail
#6 Reward yourself subsequently after achieving the goal
III. Just do it & start studying
I know that whenever you feel a lack of motivation to get started with studying there are a dozen other activities that sound by far more interesting than studying. Sometimes you would rather watch TV, an episode of your favorite sitcom, the new movie that has hit cinemas, listen to music or hang out with your friends. The simple trick to overcome this dilemma is to just get going. Start studying, no matter what. “Boost” yourself to get started with studying, no matter if you feel tired or if the teaching material isn’t interesting at all.
“It doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you get going.”
Why am I recommending “to just do it“, whenever you lack the motivation to study? Simply because it will allow you to free your mind from all kinds of negative thoughts about being lazy or lacking the right motivation. Basically, instead of wasting important time worrying about being unenthusiastic and lazy (in short: playing the victim) you take action. You will notice that once you’re getting started “just for a couple of minutes“, time will fly by and you will get used to your tasks. Once you got into the habit of studying, it will feel just natural after a while to remain on your tasks for longer periods of time.
Important tips to just get started with studying:
#1 “Force” yourself to do 15-20 minutes of studying for now
#2 Don’t agonize yourself by picturing the alternatives to studying
#3 Try not to procrastinate.
#4 The more you focus on your task, the faster you’re finished
#5 Imagine the negative consequences of prolonging studying
#6 If you’re tired, get up and jump on the spot, take a shower (or the like)
Let’s face it, one of the main reasons we students are not very enthusiastic about studying is the fact that we prolong the start of the necessary study work for too long. As a result, we fail to grasp the subsequent teaching and learning contents, which forces us to become self-tutors that have to teach themselves everything that was missed. In the end, that’s a very time-consumptive method of studying, and a direct result of prolonging studying. The alternative is to constantly keep up with your tasks in college or university on a daily basis. This – by all means – doesn’t suggest that you will have to study for hours each day, from the beginning to the end. Instead, it means that you keep going one step at a time, which allows you to grasp subsequent contents and to stay ahead with your tasks. If it takes you 10 minutes each day to organize and revise the contents you learned in the present day, that’s fine! That way, you will understand what’s being discussed, thereby you can avoid the accumulation of gaps in knowledge.
At the beginning of your term, you could write down the specific goals you aim to accomplish (as discussed in I. The motivational power of having a goal). Consider this to be your letter of motivation for the upcoming semester. Whenever you feel a lack of motivation, or disinterest in studying, grab this letter and reassure yourself of the higher purpose on why you are studying. Realize that you have a “once in a lifetime” opportunity; you are young and entitled to study, so you might as well make the best of it by working and studying hard and by doing the best you can to get accepted at the destination of your choice. Otherwise, you might regret it at a later point in time.
V. Music – there is no easier way to get motivated
Music is a wonderful way to stir your motivation, as it elicits positive emotions. If chosen wisely, a song can get you powerfully motivated to study; it can cause a spirit of optimism which evokes the epic feeling of being able to do anything. When compared with other techniques to get motivated to study, listening to music is by far the simplest way to become excited of studying. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t opt for ballads, chill-out or lounge music. Instead, choose songs that you find motivating and inspiring, songs that immediately energize your whole body and make you smile from ear to ear. So, grab your headphones, turn on your stereo equipment and listen to some fantastic songs, for instance Jorge Quintero’s300 violin orchestra:
I really hope you like the song and if it stirred motivation then it’s even the better! In general, you can listen to any kind of music, as long as it energizes you, makes you happy and increases your motivation to “get going”. In the following, I’ve prepared a short list of suggestions for music that could help you to get motivated to study.
Suggestions of very motivational songs:
#1Steve Jablonsky – Arrival to Earth (Transformers Soundtrack)
#2Daft Punk – The Game has Changed (Tron: Legacy Soundtrack)
The foundation of all motivation – not only the motivation to study – will make or break with one question, “How bad do you want to succeed?“. If you want something bad enough and you really want it to happen, you are motivated to the hilt. It’s as simple as that; you know it and I know it. The question is, do you really – thoroughly – want to succeed in your graduation or study? And if not, why is that? Get to the bottom of this question and find out what you can do to make you want to succeed in school, college or university. Focus on the higher purpose of your education, i.e. getting enrolled in your favorite college/university, earning an door-opening degree or being recruited by that top employer you ever dreamed of. If you want to succeed in life bad enough, some lack of motivation to study will not be a difficult obstacle to overcome, will it?
Important tips to increase your desire to succeed:
#1 Find out the reason why you are studying!
#2 What is your driving desire to succeed in school, college or univ.?
#3 Where do you want to be after finishing your education?
VII. A positive approach!
Your attitudes and mindsets about university/college can have a huge impact on your motivation! Having a mindset like: “University is a place where I face daily anxieties and get mentally tortured by all my professors.” is not helpful and will not help you to get motivated. But if you have a positive attitude towards your studies (e.g. you see university/college as a chance to gain important knowledge, to develop yourself and to get ready to start your career) you will be able to boost motivation, just by having a positive attitude towards it. A positive approach towards your studies, your fellow students and professors will help you to keep your academic motivation on a constant high level.
VIII. Negative feelings can kill your motivation!
You will be confronted during your studies – every once in a while – with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety and disappointment. These emotions can decrease your motivation drastically, which means you will begin to lack drive with negative results for your studies. My tip for you is to not waste your precious time and energy on negative feelings/emotions and attitudes towards professors, fellow students or situations you neither can change nor control. A lot of professors can be a real pain (see: How to deal with difficult professor personalities). The constant pressure to perform or the lack in social skills of some can be very frustrating. However, you are not able to change them, so anger would be an unnecessary and inefficient reaction towards their behavior. Pay their negative behavior back with excellent marks, instead! Anything else is contra productive(for you). The “pay back” attitude is also an interesting method for those who want to transform their negative emotions into even more motivation to study.
IX. True interest!
Another very effective motivational element that helps you to get motivated to study is your interest in the subject. True interest! If you are able to develop a true interest in what you are studying it will help you in becoming very motivated! If you know the difference between a task you dislike and an assignment you enjoy you know what I mean!
Important tips to become truly interestd in studying:
#1 Get curious about the subject
#2 Read interesting books, magazines or articles on the topic
#3 Team up with others that are interested in the subject
X. Beat procrastination and distraction!
Procrastination – or any kinds of distractions – can have a negative influence on your ability to get motivated to study in general. Therefore it is important that you create a space to study where you do not get distracted by any means. Just by sitting in a room where you cannot procrastinate or distract yourself will help you to get started with your studies. Cut out any kind of distraction (TV, radio, mobile phone, internet, telephone, etc.) that could interrupt you while studying.
The above mentioned motivation techniques will help you to know how to get motivated to study!
And this below, is a recent status update from Hilal Asyraf of Langit Ilahi.
Manusia,
suka hidup dalam mimpi,
lena,
harap itulah yang nyata.
Tetapi mimpi,
bukan realiti,
tidak berlaku,
tidak terjadi,
hanya kepalsuan,
yang membaluti,
agar kita rasa mahu terus menyambung tidur,
lagi dan lagi.
Realiti memang pahit,
kebenaran bukan semuanya manis,
tetapi dengan berhadapan realiti,
kita bergerak memperbaiki,
buruk kepada baik,
baik kepada lebih baik,
dan itu semua realiti,
terjadi,
bukan hanya mimpi.
Memang realiti tidak seindah mimpi,
tetapi realiti itu kebenaran, satu juta ringgit di dalam mimpi, dengan satu sen di alam realiti, masih satu sen alam realiti lebih mahal.
Maka bangkitlah dari mimpi,
lihatlah realiti,
dan laksanakan perubahan.
Perubahan takkan berlaku,
jika manusia tidak punya.kesedaran
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These few days, I’ve been worrying, cried and thought a lot over some stupid petty things, things that I know I shouldn’t be thinking too much about. Earlier this evening, I went out for a walk, and also to top up my public transport 3-months-pass. When I was on my way back to my apartment, I purposely slowed down my pace and thought about the reason why I was being as-I-described or simply, pathetic.
And then I knew, that my problem was that I wasn’t being grateful enough. A close friend of mine just lost her dear sister, another friend on Facebook just lost her father.
Oh and while I was like 100 meters away from my apartment, I saw a man. He was carrying the large blue worn-out Ikea bag on his shoulder. I don’t want to judge, but he LOOKED like the typical homeless person in Warsaw, and he was searching for something from the large garbage bin, probably things that he could sell to the recycling company.
So seeing all those situations happening around me, what more reason for me to not be grateful? I really have to learn to be more grateful. Kena lebih bersyukur!
Just remember while you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food on your plate, some do not.
