Friday, 28 June 2024 — Sometimes, the best way to tackle a mountain of tasks is to start with a bit of relaxation. It’s like gearing up for a marathon with a good stretch.
This day is solely dedicated to drafting the applications for the opportunities I want to apply for. It can be very tiring doing these kinds of applications because they are very specific and tailored for each one. Well, if that’s the way to go, this must be done well. One of the things I did to make it less stressful was to start the day off in a relaxed manner. I went downstairs, watched a couple of films, and spent time with the family. When it was time, I switched gears, got on my study laptop, took a shower, freshened up, and then sat down to work on the applications. Bit by bit, I got it done. I even worked on some of them while lying on the bed with my laptop, in whatever position I was comfortable with. I was determined that this task must be completed today.
I’m glad I was able to finish up the research statement, the teaching philosophy, and the application. It was quite a relief to have that draft out of the way. I did this alongside my friend Amlola, who was on a flight to Nigeria. It was an interesting moment. We hit the ground running before he was on his way. That was all I did that day. Getting the application off my plate was a win for me. I’m happy I did it. Now, I’m just reviewing it and making sure that nothing is left out. Everything that needs to be included is included. I’m not going to rush, but I’ll be sending it in the coming week.
What I’ve learned is that not everything comes easy. Even seizing an opportunity comes with a price, and that price is the time required to write an application that will single you out among many other applicants. Even when you don’t feel like doing it, just go ahead and do it. You’ll be glad you did because good things require hard work. Hard work is all about consistent, persistent, relentless effort. These are the things that pay off. If you don’t pay for it now, you’ll pay for it later. So, try as much as possible not to waste your time. Don’t enjoy every moment thinking that a big opportunity will come around without effort. This application is indeed a big one for me, and when I land it, I’ll be so glad and thankful. In fact, it will be one of my biggest achievements, even beyond the PhD.
I hope you’ve learned one or two things today. Here are the highlights of my lessons from today’s journal. If you find any of them striking and relatable, kindly share and comment. Thank you.
Key Lessons:
- Persistent Effort Pays Off: Consistent, relentless effort is crucial to achieving significant goals. Hard work and persistence are essential, even when the tasks seem daunting.
- Preparation Meets Opportunity: Taking the time to thoroughly prepare for opportunities, even when it feels tedious, can make a substantial difference. The effort put into meticulous preparation is an investment in future success.
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