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The title pretty much gives it away: My motivation decided to take a vacation before I could. Like you, I am in school (I am completing my doctorate). And, like many of you, I also work. And attempt to have a life.
As the Spring module era ends, despite loving what I do, with summer officially here and Canadian hockey now (sadly ☹) complete, I acknowledge the “mo(tivation) is lo.” As recent CPA and CPAWSB’s 2023 New Exemplary Professional Award winner Owen Kots reminds us, it is important to work, study and have fun along the way. Accordingly, I plan to enjoy the sunny skies AND fill out that mo-tank so that I can hit the next module AND work to complete my dissertation.
In case it may be helpful, I thought I would share what I will be doing in July to work, rest, and recharge the mo:
Cheers,
Sam
As the Spring module era ends, despite loving what I do, with summer officially here and Canadian hockey now (sadly ☹) complete, I acknowledge the “mo(tivation) is lo.” As recent CPA and CPAWSB’s 2023 New Exemplary Professional Award winner Owen Kots reminds us, it is important to work, study and have fun along the way. Accordingly, I plan to enjoy the sunny skies AND fill out that mo-tank so that I can hit the next module AND work to complete my dissertation.
In case it may be helpful, I thought I would share what I will be doing in July to work, rest, and recharge the mo:
- Reflecting on what went well in the past module and the past few months
- Hard work, good work was done. I want to remember my efforts and positive outcomes and build on these in the future.
- Acknowledging areas for improvement
- Not every day was my best. Not all days were filled with metaphoric sunshine and rainbows. Now that there is some distance between the events, I can look back with less emotion and see where I fell short.
- Planning for one bigger and one smaller goal
- What do I want to do in the next module? Next paper? I want to take my reflections and lessons learnt from the past and work them into my future.
- Scheduling lighter days (when possible)
- When I worked in the industry, July was quarter-end. For others, it may be U.S. tax season. So, if it is not possible now, perhaps look at your calendar and see when your “July” (lighter schedule) could be.
- Setting clear objectives
- I still want to feel good about what I am doing. While this may not be my grind era, I want to purposefully complete defined tasks such that I am working towards my goals.
- Resting and relaxing
- Some people call this wellness; others call it self-care. You do you, often and with intention; the rest is just as important as the work.
- Reducing my list sizes
- Which means I need to wrap this up shortly! I will also be moving (strength training, biking, dog walks), practicing kindness towards others AND myself, and reducing screen time. Which means…
Cheers,
Sam
Do you have feedback on this post or a question you’d like answered by an experienced CPAWSB educator? Please contact your facilitator or send a question to the General Topic in the Candidate Discussion forum.
Samantha Taylor, PME, CPA, CA
Samantha Taylor, PME, CPA, CA, is an educator and lead policy advisor for CPAWSB and a Senior Instructor of accounting at Dalhousie University. She is on a mission to understand and enable learner efficacy while eliminating doldrums occasionally associated with accounting education. Read more of Sam’s posts at the CPAWSB blog.
