IMM 2019: What keeps you motivated?
This term, we asked some of our classmates in the IMM program on what motivates and keeps them focused on creating:
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
The desire to make the world a better place. There is too much hate, sadness and criticism around us, and only with empathy and putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes can we make the world better. By combining empathy with well thought out design, I will make this world a better place.
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
Take a step back and do some yoga, something about sweating profusely for an hour with just your thoughts makes everything become a little bit clearer. I also like to create pseudo code, software development is very logical when you take a minute to break it down. When I do this, I am usually able to create a solution that works.
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
I apply an adapted version of the Pomodoro technique when it comes to time management, in that I block myself off chunks of time to complete SMART goals. This ensures I don’t allow my inner perfectionist to come through, and end up spending too much time on one given project.
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
After 30 years in the corporate world, I love being a full-time student! I like learning, discovering and experiencing new things in school.
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I’ll take a break, make a cup of tea, or walk around my desk. I’ll ask a classmate, or I’ll google it. Since Google knows everything!
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
I dangle a reward carrot in front of myself. “Do this and you’ll get that!”
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
Have class every morning on weekdays so I have to attend. Hunger gets me out of bed every day, I wanna have my breakfast! -laughs-
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I can always get help from my deskmate, Jaime. lol!
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
There’s an app called Tomato Timer which helps you break your day up into 25-minute focus sessions followed by five-minute breaks. Quite useful.
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I motivate myself by taking a break, coming back to it with fresh eyes, and remembering that I've been stumped before and the satisfaction I feel when I have solved the problem.
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
I make a to do list for myself with all the things I have to get done for the week. Everytime I look at the list, it helps me focus on the things I have to do.
I also make sure I work in a quiet place with no distractions around me.
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
My Dog, Stella, wakes me up at 7:10 every morning to go outside. Having a puppy FORCES you to be a morning person, but it's worth it for cuddles.
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I like to look at other forms of media for inspiration. If I'm stuck on colours for a design project, I'll browse movie clips or photography. If I'm working on a tricky piece of code, my peers in IMM are always helpful!
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
When I need to concentrate Groove Salad on SomaFM helps me get in the zone. I also make lists like crazy. Checking off tasks and seeing my progress keeps me motivated throughout the day.
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I try to set a short term, "End of Day" goal to take my mind off the looming deadline.
I remind myself that (almost) everyone else is in the same boat, we're in this together.
My family has played a major role in my being here in Canada. I think about them, or even call them when I'm having a rough day.
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
At home, I use headphones rather than speakers while watching tutorial videos. Keeps me tied to the desk.
In class, even when I'm not watching or listening to anything, I put earphones on to block out the chatter.
1. What gets you going in the morning? What motivates you to get out of bed?
School gets me out of bed because invested in my education and future and I like to learn new things.
2. When you’ve hit a snag on your project, how do you motivate yourself to continue?
I take a break, hit refresh and start again
3. What are some techniques you’ve used to stay focused?
I have problems staying focused so I do my work in small increments, taking little breaks in between.
