Monday-like-a-Friday (Week 2)

There’s been so much bad news this past week. The earthquake in China, the bombings in the US, the shoot-out in Borno have cast a gloomy spell on the past week and even this weekend. So first of all, our hearts go out to those who might have lost loved ones in the Boston, Texas bombings and the earthquake in China. We mourn with Borno state and the families of the soldiers who passed on Friday during the shoot-out.  May God grant you the fortitude to bear your loss. Now for today’s gist:

1. Suarez the man-eater

Sunday night’s game found its way into my TL and I saw the most disturbing picture of Suarez biting into Ivanovich’s arm. I also heard that it really wasn’t his first time. I suggest he look into therapy before he really hurts someone. He needs to put a lid on that temper and quick.

2. Scrapping of UTME and NECO

I think it is long overdue and they might as well go on and scrap it. JAMB is overpriced and inconvenient and I am sick of hearing about “special centres” and how students pay 10,000 naira or more to pass JAMB. The saddening thing is that after they’ve paid their way through JAMB, they think they can do same for Post-UTME and that doesn’t happen so the following year, they are taking the examination again. I think the solution is for individual universities to have their private entrance examinations.  Then NECO on the other hand is no longer fulfilling the purpose for which it was created; which is healthy competition between WAEC and NECO. Either the government reforms NECO or it scraps it. I’d just like for them to do one soon.

3. Social inequality in the north

You would be amazed to find out (if you haven’t already) that 90% of the women in the Northern parts of Nigeria are uneducated when the statistics in the South are only 10%. 80% of the women between the ages of 20 and 29 cannot read or write. And Nigeria ranks 111^th of 134 countries on the gender equality index mostly because of the North. 94% of the women in Jigawa state alone are illiterates and 49% of the men are illiterates hence the large pool of volunteer arsonists and suicide bombers. Early marriage is also still an issue in the north. Girls get married before they turn 16 and are required to give birth that same year. These problems can only be tackled by a mass education campaign in the areas. Northern Nigeria is part of Nigeria and should be treated as such.

Now that you have the low down, you don’t have to feel like you’re from another planet when your colleagues or classmates are talking about happenings from the weekend. Moving on, here are the tips I compiled to help you survive and ENJOY the week till another Friday comes. Because, yes, it is possible to have weekdays like weekends.

1. Work for 25 minutes, pause for 5 minutes

I already talked about the Pomorodo technique last week and I cannot stop testifying about how well it has worked for me. I’ve had a very productive week and contrary to public opinion, I have not felt like I did not have enough time to do all I had to do. As a matter of fact, I have had more than enough time to myself and I’ve treated myself to great stuff when I accomplished tasks I had set about to do. So in case you missed it last week, let me fill you in this week. The Pomorodo (means “tomato” in Italian) was created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. The technique is really uncomplicated, anyone can do it and it is extremely wonderful. I’m going to use myself as an example. When I settle down to do some writing or some research, I set the timer on my Blackberry for 25 minutes before getting to work. Then when I start, I do not flit from one thing to the other. I don’t check my IMs, my twitter or my mails until the 25 minutes are up. Then I take a 5-minute break to walk around a bit, refill my cup, check my IMs or my Twitter but when the timer goes off again, I’m back to work. Except for cases like classes or meetings when you do not have complete control of your time, do practise the technique this week. It is absolutely amazing.

2. Reward yourself

Every morning of every week day, write out the 3 most important things for you to do that day. I’m sticking with three because we humans have to tendency to go overboard with to-do lists then we get discouraged when we see just how much we have to do and never finish them anyway. So, stick to three most important things. Write them out so they aren’t vague or in the air somewhere and you can get the pleasure of ticking stuff of your list. Then at the end of the day, or week, or project that you have been working on, reward yourself. Go out to see a movie, or go have dinner with someone special somewhere fancy, take a bubble bath, go to the spa or turn off your cell phone and get some much needed rest. Give yourself a trophy. You deserve it!

3. Listen to your favourite music

And sing it out! In the shower, on your way to work or class or you can hum along as you listen to your work playlist. Make sure it’s not music that will distract you from the work at hand. So, no, don’t go bumping club music at work. I won’t be held responsible for the consequences. I listen to New Age music when I’m working or when I’m reading. It’s just instrumental music so it doesn’t distract me from work. If anything, it helps me block everything else out and concentrate on the task at hand better.

Again, I’ll be here and on Aphroden’s Twitter and Facebook account to hear your testimonies about how well your week turned out stress-free. Have a great week people!

Photo credits: Shutterstock, Off the post