How to learn better using psychology

How you can start to learn better: Psychology tools every learner should know

You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to learn like one. Whether you’re a student tackling midterms or a lifelong learner brushing up on new skills, understanding a few key principles from psychology can transform how you study and retain information. Motivation, memory, and stress aren’t just personal challenges - they’re measurable variables you can work with. Below, we break down how to apply real cognitive science to make your learning sharper, more resilient, and less overwhelming.

Make motivation work for you

Learning isn’t just about what you know - it’s about why you want to know it. The most sustainable kind of motivation doesn’t come from gold stars or test scores. It comes from within. When you feel in control of your choices and see a connection between your actions and your goals, you’re more likely to keep going. This is what self-determination theory calls intrinsic motivation, and it flourishes when you're fulfilling autonomy builds drive. If you're learning something just to get it over with, you’ll struggle to stick with it. But if you understand how that skill fits your goals, you tap into long-term drive.

Learn the science behind what works

If psychology-based learning strategies are helping you, it might be time to understand why they work. Fields like cognitive science and behavioral analysis provide the foundation for tactics like spaced repetition, self-regulated learning, and emotional regulation. When you study how attention, memory, and mood interact, you start to see patterns - and more importantly, how to influence them. A degree in online psychology and social science can deepen that insight, equipping you to apply these tools more deliberately in your studies, work, or even parenting.

Use spacing to remember more with less effort

It might feel productive to cram the night before a test, but your brain has other ideas. Memories don’t stick when they’re squished together in a single sitting. Instead, spacing your study sessions - what researchers call distributed practice - makes recall stronger and longer lasting. Rather than rereading the same notes five times in one day, spread those reviews out over a week. Tools like flashcards or spaced-repetition apps automate this timing, but even a calendar and timer can help. This technique works because spacing study sessions boosts recall, letting your brain consolidate the material and reducing mental fatigue.

Don’t just read - quiz yourself

Passive learning is a trap. Highlighting, rereading, or watching a video again can create an illusion of mastery, but doesn’t test whether you actually know the material. Instead, pull the information out of your brain. This practice, called active recall, is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen memory. Write down what you remember, use digital flashcards, or teach the concept to someone else. It’s okay to be wrong - that’s part of the process. Recalling something from memory and then correcting it actually makes the memory stronger. In short, quizzing yourself strengthens retention - and it's one of the fastest ways to find your blind spots.

Stress doesn’t have to sabotage you

Stress shrinks your working memory and clouds your ability to think clearly - just when you need it most. But it’s not just about avoiding stress; it’s about managing it in the moment. Breath work, mindfulness, and even quick physical movement can reset your mental state before a big exam or a study session. One underrated tactic? Slow, deliberate breathing. It lowers cortisol, stabilizes your heartbeat, and gives you space to regroup. Deep breathing eases exam nerves, especially when paired with positive self-talk and realistic goals. You're not trying to eliminate all stress - just turn it into something you can handle.

Own your learning process

Success isn’t just about effort. It’s about strategy. Self-regulated learners don’t just power through - they plan, track, and adjust. Before jumping into a textbook, pause to set a goal. While studying, check whether you're focused or drifting. Afterward, ask: What worked? What didn’t? This feedback loop isn’t fancy - it’s just honest. And over time, it makes a huge difference. Whether you're prepping for certification or learning Spanish for fun, steering your own learning path increases both efficiency and confidence. It turns learning from a grind into something you can shape and refine.

Believe you can learn hard things

One of the strongest predictors of learning success isn’t intelligence - it’s self-efficacy: your belief that you can handle challenges and grow. When you expect to fail, you protect yourself by not trying as hard. But when you believe your effort matters, you start to behave differently - you persist longer, seek out help, and interpret mistakes as feedback, not verdicts. That belief isn’t fluff. It’s foundational. Learning becomes less about “being smart” and more about building skills through effort. Ultimately, believing you can master challenges makes you more likely to do just that.

You don’t have to master all of psychology to become a better learner. But a few targeted shifts - like spacing your study, using active recall, and managing stress - can radically improve what you get out of your time. These aren’t just hacks. They’re how your brain actually works. And the more you align with it, the easier learning becomes. So whether you’re cramming for finals or teaching yourself a new skill on nights and weekends, remember: the tools are already there. Now it’s about using them.

Dive into a world of knowledge and inspiration at Mr. Robertson’s Corner, where students, families, and educators come together to explore history, critical thinking, and more.

For adult learners

Welcome back to learning: Why adult learners thrive here at Mr. Robertson's Corner blog

At Mr. Robertson’s Corner, our roots are in K‑12 and early collegiate support - but the site offers real value for adult learners, too. Whether you're reskilling, earning a degree later in life, feeding a lifelong passion, and/or simply looking to become a stronger teacher and tutor for your own children as they complete their homework, this blog equips you with the clarity, perspective, and resources you need to succeed.

What adult learners gain here

• Deep, approachable insights into history, philosophy, finance, critical thinking, career paths, and more - valuable whether you're studying formally or self‑educating.
• Relatable reflections and storytelling that connect academic content to real-life events, thoughtful viewpoints, and meaningful application.
• Strategy-packed guidance: test prep tips, research paper ideas, financial literacy advice - framed not for yesterday’s high schooler, but for mature learners juggling multiple priorities.
• Career and adult-education insights, including advice on transitioning into trades, entrepreneurship, technical careers, or returning to college later in life.

How to make Mr. Robertson's Corner work for you as an adult learner

• Pick a relevant topic - from history subjects to business planning to test strategy.
• Read with intention, connecting stories and lessons to your personal or professional goals.
• Apply practical takeaways: Many posts include actionable insights or research paper templates.
• Return for more - the blog publishes regularly, offering fresh ideas and reflections.

Benefit	What it means for you
Self-paced learning	Great if you're studying on nights or weekends. Engage only when it fits your schedule.
Bridging academics and real life	Blog posts often trace broad themes down to everyday relevance.
In-depth over fluff	No filler - every piece is grounded in substance and understanding.
Free of charge	All content is openly available, no paywalls or subscriptions.

Sample tools and posts adult learners will appreciate

• Test‑taking strategy guides - ideal for standardized exam prep or brushing up analytical skills.
• Career‑focused essays exploring trades, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
• History and philosophy deep dives, like the featured biography of Myles Keogh or insights on international relations.

Ready to dive in?

Join hundreds of thousands of readers of all ages - students, teachers, parents, and adult learners - who explore ideas, sharpen skills, and re‑ignite curiosity here. Whether you're taking up a new path or enhancing what you already know, Mr. Robertson’s Corner is your intellectual launchpad.

Start here:

• Explore the blog archive and Labels on the left-hand side of the blog for your subjects of interest
• Bookmark test prep or career resources
• Come back weekly for new reflections and tools

Mr. Robertson's Corner blog for all things adult education. Your next chapter starts here.

List of buzzwords used in education

AI Literacy
Definition: The knowledge and skills needed to understand, create, and interact with artificial intelligence tools and systems.
Example: “Students in the AI Literacy module learned how chatbots are trained and practiced building a basic one themselves.”

Blended Learning
Definition: A teaching model that mixes in-person and online instruction to give a flexible learning experience.
Example: “Their blended learning course had students attend virtual lectures twice a week and meet in person for hands-on projects.”

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
Definition: Teaching that acknowledges and leverages students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences to make learning more meaningful.
Example: “Ms. Alvarez used culturally responsive pedagogy by incorporating local community stories into her literature curriculum.”

Digital Citizenship
Definition: The responsible and ethical use of technology and online spaces.
Example: “Before assigning research projects, the teacher held a digital citizenship lesson on citing sources and cyber etiquette.”

Dual Language Immersion
Definition: A program in which students are taught academic content in two languages to promote bilingualism.
Example: “The dual language immersion kindergarten class split instruction between English and Spanish each day.”

Educational Equity
Definition: Ensuring all students - regardless of background - have access to resources and opportunities needed to succeed.
Example: “The school board’s new policy was designed to improve educational equity by funding under-resourced schools.”

Flipped Classroom
Definition: A model where students first engage with lecture material at home (e.g., via video), and class time is used for interactive activities.
Example: “In the flipped classroom, students watched the geometry lecture at night and came prepared to solve problems in class.”

Growth Mindset
Definition: The belief that abilities can be developed through effort and persistence rather than being fixed traits.
Example: “Coach Davis encouraged a growth mindset by praising persistence instead of innate talent.”

Microlearning
Definition: Short, focused learning segments designed to teach a single idea quickly.
Example: “She used microlearning modules - each 5 minutes long - to help staff quickly grasp new software.”

Personalized Learning
Definition: Tailoring instruction to meet each student’s strengths, needs, skills, and interests.
Example: “Through personalized learning, Jamie could explore math topics at his own pace using adaptive software.”

Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Definition: Students learn by actively engaging in real-world and meaningful projects over time.
Example: “The PBL unit on renewable energy had students design and build their own solar-powered ovens.”

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Definition: The process through which students acquire skills to recognize/manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, and build relationships.
Example: “Every morning started with a 10-minute SEL reflection activity to help students center themselves.”

STEM/STEAM
Definition: An educational focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - often adding Art (STEAM) to foster creativity.
Example: “The school introduced a STEAM fair where students exhibited projects ranging from robots to digital paintings.”

Trauma-Informed Teaching
Definition: An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on learning and creates a safe, supportive classroom environment.
Example: “After training in trauma-informed teaching, Mr. Chen began each class with a calm check-in ritual.”

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Definition: A framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people, based on scientific insights into how humans learn.
Example: “Using UDL, the teacher offered materials in text, audio, and visual formats so every student could access the content.”

Fun educational ideas for home

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Home is where the learning is: Fun and creative educational ideas

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, keeping learning enjoyable and engaging at home presents a unique challenge and opportunity for parents. This approach not only keeps children's curiosity alive but also deepens their understanding and enjoyment of learning. By integrating creativity and interactive methods into everyday educational activities, parents can create a stimulating environment that encourages children to explore and grow. Here are some tips from Mr. Robertson’s Corner to help children develop a lifelong passion for learning.

Make learning social and engaging

Foster a social learning environment by organizing small group activities that align with kids’ interests or academic goals, such as science projects, cooking sessions, or book clubs. These gatherings allow children to gain diverse perspectives and hone skills in communication and collaboration. A simple game or group discussion can transform these meetings into dynamic learning experiences, helping even the most reserved children engage and express creativity.

Get creative with art together

Engaging in art projects like painting, drawing, or clay modeling with your child not only nurtures creativity but also strengthens your bond. These activities enhance motor skills and foster patience. Consider this: once your child's artwork is complete, digitizing it can make these moments timeless. Using a mobile scanning app, you can swiftly capture and convert any artwork into a PDF with your device’s camera, preserving these treasures in a digital gallery.

Discover the world together through field trips

Explore learning beyond the home with field trips to museums, science centers, and cultural festivals, which provide practical exposure to varied subjects. Visits to such places make educational concepts tangible, like viewing historical artifacts up close or engaging with science hands-on. Experiencing nature trails and cultural events broadens children’s understanding of the world, sparking enduring curiosity and a desire to learn more about their surroundings.

Celebrate every achievement, big and small

Celebrating both major accomplishments and minor milestones significantly enhances a child’s motivation and confidence throughout their educational journey. Recognizing efforts like finishing a challenging book or a science project encourages continuous engagement and learning. Positive reinforcement creates a nurturing environment for growth, emphasizing the value of progress over perfection and inspiring children to embrace new challenges.

Spark imagination with thought-provoking questions

Cultivate your child's critical thinking and creativity by asking open-ended questions that extend beyond simple yes-or-no answers. Encourage them to explore imaginative scenarios and complex ideas, such as time travel possibilities or the secret communications of plants. Such discussions promote cognitive development and problem-solving skills, empowering children to express their thoughts confidently and creatively.

Prioritize hands-on activities over screen time

Encourage learning through active, hands-on experiences like baking, gardening, or DIY projects to better embed knowledge than passive screen interactions. These tactile activities not only make learning fun but also memorable, helping children engage more deeply with educational content. Reducing screen time keeps kids connected to the real world, fostering observation, experimentation, and discovery.

Work together to set realistic learning goals

Engage your child in setting achievable learning objectives, such as reading a set number of books, practicing a musical instrument regularly, or completing a project by a deadline. Collaborative goal-setting instills a sense of responsibility and helps children take ownership of their learning. Realistic and measurable goals allow children to track their progress, enhancing their self-discipline and perseverance, and making learning a rewarding experience.

Creating an engaging and enjoyable learning environment at home is pivotal in shaping a child's educational journey. This method not only helps in building a strong foundation of knowledge but also instills a sense of wonder and excitement towards learning. For parents, this approach is an opportunity to actively participate in their child's development, ensuring learning is seen not as a chore but as an adventure. Through these efforts, education becomes a shared, joyful journey that prepares children for a bright, curious future.

Explore valuable educational tips and resources for students and teachers at Mr. Robertson's Corner.

How to discover your fulfilling career

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Your Passions Can Lead to a Fulfilling Career

Many people dream of turning their passion into a successful business. After all, what could be better than getting paid to do something you love? While it's certainly not easy, it’s possible to convert your passion into a thriving business. Mr. Robertson’s Corner discusses a few things to consider if you're thinking of making the jump:

Different Business Ideas

There are endless possibilities when it comes to starting a business based on your passions. Perhaps you love to cook and want to start a catering company or food truck. Or maybe you're an amazing artist and you want to sell your paintings or sculptures.

If you’re a strong leader and communicator, and you have construction knowledge, you might flourish as a general contractor. Construction is a high-demand industry, so you can quickly find good-paying projects if you position yourself for success.

If you choose to become a contractor, make sure you take advantage of the technologies that can help you run your business more efficiently. Learn to use software for general contractors to improve your invoicing, designing, estimating, and project management processes.

Conducting Market Research

Once you've settled on a business idea, it's important to do market research to confirm a demand for your product or service. This will help you determine the viability and profitability of your idea. Consult the plethora of resources online and in libraries if you're not sure how to go about conducting market research.

Creating a Business Plan

After doing your market research and finding that there is indeed a market for your product or service, it's time to start putting together a business plan. Many templates are available online if you need help developing a business plan.

Your plan should include any and all information related to your company (e.g., goals, strategies, financial forecasts, etc.). Don’t rush through this stage; the more thorough your business plan, the better it will guide you through the challenges and decisions ahead.

Marketing Your Business

Marketing is key to the success of any business, but it's especially important for businesses that are just starting out. You need to tell people about your product or service and why they should choose you over the competition. There are many different marketing channels available (e.g., social media, email, traditional advertising, etc.), so use the ones that will work best for your particular business.

Changing Industries

If you're unhappy with your current career but don't think starting your own business is the right move for you, consider switching industries instead. This can be especially fulfilling if you find a field that aligns with your passions. For example, someone who loves animals might want to become a veterinary technician, while a music lover may thrive as a music therapist.

Education and Certifications

When making a career change, it's essential to obtain the necessary education and certifications. This will ensure you're qualified for the new job and have the skills necessary to succeed long-term.

It can take time and money to get the required training, but it will be worth it in the end. Be sure to research different programs and schools to find the best option for you. Once you've completed your education, continue learning and staying up-to-date on the latest trends in your field. The more knowledge and experience you have, the better positioned you will be for success in your new career.

Conclusion

Pursuing your passion can lead to a more fulfilling personal and professional life. If you're thinking of making the jump from the 9-5 to running your own show, remember to brainstorm business ideas, conduct market research, write a business plan, and create a marketing strategy.

Whether you decide to become an entrepreneur or pursue a job in a different industry, embrace the hard work involved in making your passion project into a success story. You’ll be glad you did once your dreams come true!

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content on MrRobertsonsCorner.com today!

Strategies for time and task management

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Five Strategies for Time and Task Management

Organizing and managing your daily round of responsibilities can be challenging for small business owners. If you often find yourself stressed and overworked, learning new task management skills and implementing helpful tools could make a big difference in your ability to manage your time more effectively. Here are five solid strategies for task and time management for small business owners, presented below by Mr. Robertson’s Corner.

Take Advantage of Available Tools

As a small business owner, you have access to a wealth of tools designed to streamline and manage many of your regular tasks. Some of the most useful business apps focus on accounting tasks:

• Apps like QuickBooks Time can provide accurate tracking of employee timesheets, time worked by a specific employee, and time dedicated to a project. Time tracking is a must for managing payroll, timesheets, and personnel management tasks much more easily and effectively.
• TechRadar recommends the free app RescueTime, which offers insights into how you use your personal time. If you've ever wondered exactly how much time you spend browsing websites or talking on the phone, RescueTime can provide you with the actionable information necessary to adjust your behaviors and provide you with more free time at home and on the job.

Choosing apps that work with mobile phones, integrate with your existing systems, and offer real-time reporting for faster response times will help you achieve more on behalf of your company while saving some free time for yourself.

Automate Selectively

Pick and choose which tasks to automate to ensure the most effective use of your time and money. One of the best places to start is with repetitive accounting and administrative tasks. In 2017, CPA Practice Advisor found that, on average, small businesses spend 120 days each year managing bookkeeping and administrative tasks. Software packages that automate some or all of these tasks can be a good investment for your company.

Delegate Tasks Where Appropriate

Many managers and small business owners are afraid to delegate or outsource tasks. Letting go of some responsibilities by delegating them to your staff members or outside firms is essential to avoid burnout and stress. Tasks that can often be delegated to others include:

• Enlisting the help of a formation service can help you to create an LLC for your company more efficiently. These specialty firms have the experience and in-depth knowledge necessary to navigate the legalities quickly and effectively. Just make sure you look up accurate LLC Wisconsin information so you understand the guidelines.
• Jobs that have clear, easy-to-understand parameters or that are repetitive in nature can safely be delegated to staff members.
• Tasks that serve an educational purpose may include seminars, webinars, and online courses. By assigning these opportunities to key staff members, you can build a team of highly qualified individuals.

Plan for Downtime

It's easy to remember to plan for upcoming project deadlines and other work-related tasks. Setting aside time for yourself is also important to stay focused and achieve the best results. Bloomberg touts the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks up time and tasks into manageable segments with breaks in between. Planning for 50 minutes of work punctuated by 10-minute breaks can often allow you to be more productive and focused.

Prioritize Top Tasks

Not all tasks are equally important. Categorizing each activity according to its urgency and profit potential can allow you to put first things first for your small business. This can add up to increased revenues for your company in the competitive marketplace. Learning to manage your time and tasks more effectively isn't an overnight process. Working to implement these strategies can help you do more and achieve more every day.

Fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions

If you’re like many, you have probably set one or more New Year’s resolutions for yourself. And like many, you have probably experienced a lot of failure and disappointment over the years when it comes to keeping those resolutions. Sorry to remind you.

But you didn’t fail because you’re a bad person. You didn’t fail because your intentions were not good. The reason why your resolutions didn’t meet with much success is simply because you lacked a plan - a real, concrete plan to help you master your ultimate goals in incremental, achievable steps.

Well, this year is going to be different. This year, you are going to resolve to make your New Year’s resolution(s) happen! Following are some great online resources to help you do just that.

American Psychological Association (APA): “Making your New Year’s resolution stick”
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx

Forbes: “A Psychologist’s Secrets To Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/01/03/making-new-years-resolutions-stick

Lifehack: “10 Tips For Making New Year’s Resolutions Come True”
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-tips-for-making-new-years-resolutions-come-true.html

Essentials of an effective strategic plan

Essentials of an effective strategic plan

Aaron S. Robertson, MSM

Purpose of strategic planning: Strategic planning is employed to maintain the relevance of an organization and keep it on track to effectively fulfilling its intended purpose.

Mission statement
• It is essential to create a robust, overarching statement that gets to the root of why the organization exists and how it fills a certain need or needs for a particular customer base or audience.

SWOT analysis
• Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats helps the organization take stock of current and potential challenges facing it, as well as areas that it can capitalize on in the marketplace.

Goal setting
• The identification of key goals assists the organization in fulfilling its mission.

Strategies that align with each goal
• Effective strategies help make the goals of the organization realistically attainable.

Action plans for goal success
• Plans to implement each of the respective goals and their associated strategies with clear timeframes and needed resources identified.

Monitoring and occasional updating
• It is imperative to continue to revisit the strategic plan and update it where appropriate in order to continue driving progress and aligning the plan with current realities, so that the plan truly becomes a living, breathing document.

Communicating the plan
• In order for the plan to be successful, it is critical that it be continuously communicated to all stakeholders and that “buy-in” is established.

Reference

McNamara, C. (2006). Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation.

What are SMART goals?

How to create and achieve reasonable goals: The S.M.A.R.T. method

Simply setting a goal doesn't mean that you will actually achieve it. To increase your chances of success, try the S.M.A.R.T. method the next time you have a goal in mind. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Read on for more information about how each of these key elements can help guide you on your path to creating and achieving reasonable goals.

S – Specific

Setting a very specific goal helps pinpoint exactly what it is you want to achieve. Knowing what you want to achieve is vital because planning for success is hard when you don't really know what you want. When outlining your goal, be specific in what you want, why you want it, how you'll go about getting it, when you want to get it by, and who (if anyone) may need to assist you along the way. Instead of setting a vague goal (e.g., make lots of money), create a more specific goal (e.g., make enough money mowing lawns to buy a new phone in September).

M – Measurable

It can be hard to know when or if you've achieved a vague, unmeasurable goal. If your goal is simply to improve your health, then how will you know when you've done enough to meet your goal expectations? Instead of setting an unmeasurable goal (e.g., improve your health), ensure your goal includes easily measurable components (e.g., exercise on the treadmill 20 minutes per day for 30 days).

A – Attainable

It's always better to set goals where you have a reasonable chance of success. After all, failure to achieve your goals can be very discouraging and might even prevent you from setting other goals in the future. When creating goals, be sure to consider factors like how much time, effort, and money will be required to complete your goal. Use this information to decide whether the goal is actually attainable and, if need be, adjust your goal so that you'll have a more reasonable chance of actually succeeding.

R – Relevant

How relevant is your goal to you personally? There's nothing wrong with seeking outside inspiration when hunting for a new goal, but if your chosen goal isn't really relevant to you or your desires, then completing it isn't going to feel very rewarding. Just because someone tells you that you absolutely must run with the bulls in Pamplona, doesn't necessarily mean that running with the bulls is a relevant goal for you. If you feel no connection with your goal, then it's probably not relevant to you and you'd be better off working toward a different, more relevant goal.

T – Timely

It's unlikely that your goal will be immediately attainable, otherwise, you'd have already accomplished it. Consider the steps required to achieve your goal and factor in reasonable amounts of time to complete each step. When you have a better idea about a possible timeline for your goal, set a deadline for reaching your final objective. Do keep in mind that because things don't always go as planned, it's important to have some flexibility in any deadlines you set for yourself.

Regardless of what goal you have in mind, it can be well worth refining it with the S.M.A.R.T. method. By employing the SMART method of creating and achieving reasonable goals, you can better define whatever it is you'd like to achieve and fully understand the steps you'll need to take in order to make your goal a reality. Armed with this new information, you can then decide if your goal is something you'd actually like to pursue.

How to accomplish goals

Achieve your dreams by focusing on smaller tasks

Though it's no secret that large goals can be overwhelming, people still love dreaming big about the things they'd like to achieve. Unfortunately, as your dreams grow, your chances of achieving them usually shrink. So, should you just forget about your loftier dreams if they seem unattainable from your current perspective? No, of course not! Instead of giving up right away, read on for ideas that can help you achieve even your grandest dreams.



Now, before you get started, it's worth mentioning that the first and arguably most important part of achieving your dream is setting a goal. Really think about it. What exactly do you want to accomplish? Once you have a detailed goal in mind, carefully consider similar goals you've set for yourself in the past but failed to achieve. What went wrong in each attempt? Are there any changes you can make that may help you achieve this goal? Also, think about any former goals you successfully achieved. What factors lead to that success?

After you've answered these questions, it will be time to actively work toward achieving your goal. If in the past you haven't split your goals into a series of small, definable tasks for you to work through, then why not try doing so this time around? You have nothing to lose, and setting smaller tasks could be the simple change needed to successfully achieve your goal.

If you'd like to try splitting your goal into a series of simple tasks, consider crafting each task to be achievable in three to seven days. If you feel overwhelmed by tasks that span multiple days, however, then split your goal into however many tasks makes you feel most comfortable. If you are only comfortable with short tasks requiring no more than fifteen minutes of your time, then that's exactly where you should start.

Now, it's common for people to breeze through their initial tasks. After all, when goals are new, a person's interest levels and motivation are often high. Unfortunately, motivation tends to dwindle when life gets busy, which can cause you to push your dreams aside. To have the best chance of successfully achieving your dreams, it's important to work on your goal-achieving activities whenever possible - especially when you are busy. Though it's easy to waste time thinking up new excuses for why you're too busy to work through your list of tasks, your energy would be better spent figuring out new and innovative ways to fit the tasks into your already-busy schedule.

Thankfully, there are many ways to fit goal-achieving tasks into even the busiest schedules. If your goal is fitness-related, squeeze in a short workout during your lunch hour or power up the treadmill during your favorite television show. If your goal is to write a novel, keep a notebook handy and jot down ideas while riding the bus or sipping on your morning coffee. If your goal is simply to clean your house, then pick a room to tackle for fifteen minutes each night before bed. It doesn't really matter what your goal is, as long as you regularly devote some time and effort toward achieving it.



A final factor that can help you complete your tasks and ultimately achieve your dreams is momentum. To get the ball rolling, give yourself a few easy tasks to complete. If after completing these tasks you are still feeling rather unmotivated, then continue working on equally-easy tasks, otherwise, aim for something a little more challenging. Just remember that simple tasks are often better motivators because harder tasks might put you off track if you fail to complete them in a timely fashion.

While working through your tasks, be aware that you may occasionally lose sight of your goal. That's fine. So long as you don't give up, you haven't failed. If you ever find yourself less than motivated, or think you might be giving up on your goal, though, then get back on track by outlining a new list of easy-to-accomplish tasks for you to complete. Once you've done so, you will be back on track toward achieving your dreams.