1. Count what is critical.

Before joining that club or committing to that activity, take a second look at it. Is it worth your time?

2. Think twice about technology.

This comes from a person who had to have her cell phone on 24 hours a day for one summer job! But it is worth considering. You will do more if you focus on one task at a time rather than stopping to check Facebook, email or texting your mom.

One of the biggest benefits to my university experience was deciding to refuse to upload wireless on my computer. There is no longer the temptation to surf the web when I should be studying.

3. Take a break and stop interaction with all things around you:

commitments, projects and technology. Do it for an hour, preferably for a day. It’s actually one of the best ways to not only refresh yourself, but even make yourself want to get back to work. Also, it’s been a trend for the last several thousand years among the Christian tradition. They call it a ‘sabbath!’

Options Winter 2008