Did you do your homework?
9 of 10 in the series ‘Children Home Rules - They’re Not Just for Kids’
Here at W. Kim Tae Kwon Do, we have a set of rules that we give every child that joins our program. This list is called Children Home Rules. Basically, it’s a set of rules that aren’t any different from the rules that parents already have at home. They aren’t new, but they serve as a handy tool for reinforcement.
Children Home Rule #9 -
Children must study their school work at school and at home.
Homework.
I never enjoyed it myself and am willing to admit that I never finished the paper that was due in my Psychology class junior year of high school. (Sorry, Mrs. Cushing)
Studying at school and home has morphed in the last year. It’s become more home than school. Even with schools reopening, many are still opting to do school from home. Homework has taken on a new meaning and who knows what shape it will take once things return to a semblance of normalcy.
How in the world does Home Rule #9 have any real world application, unless you are in school?
As adults we don’t really have homework in the traditional sense. Some of us have to take work home with us because it has a deadline. Some of us now work from home and our adjusted work life almost parallels what our kids are dealing with. During this pandemic, some of us didn’t/don’t have the luxury to work from home. (Frontline workers, first responders; thank you for all you have done and continue to do).
To answer the question of application, I do believe that Rule #9 does help in the following ways:
Better work ethic
Seeing something through to completion
Checking over our work to make sure it’s been done correctly and well
Increasing our understanding of what we do to help inform others
Reinforcing our knowledge and familiarity with something to move to the next level
There are more that I’m sure you can think of. I have to say that we are very good at trying to further our goals professionally.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure how good we are at it personally.
Everyday we are bombarded with information and to be honest, from my own personal standpoint, most of it is useless. To me, at least. I’m sure at some level, information I am getting is important to those giving it and to those in whichever circles it applies. It’s just that most of it isn’t for me.
But knowing this doesn’t stop me from consuming it. (Particularly dad jokes...ok not totally, because making people laugh, or groan, at bad humor brings a bit of levity to life.)
Seriously, though, it seems that we continue to push ourselves to be successful professionally but not personally.
There are a number of excuses that we could use. I’ve used this one before, but my couch comes to mind. It has made a significant connection in my brain that probably increases my dopamine levels when I get to enjoy it. Which leads to a downward spiral of mind numbing entertainment and the possibility of falling asleep on said couch.
So, how do I apply the drive I have for professional success to my personal life?
For me, it has to be cutting out the distractions that keep me from doing something meaningful. I’m not saying that there can’t be times where you need to shut your brain off and enjoy some mind numbing activities, but, like everything else, there needs to be moderation.
Being able to identify the habits you have and how they hurt or help is important. Take a look at what takes up your time and ask yourself if it is indeed worth your time.
I guess when it comes down to it we need to keep doing our homework so we can successfully grow further in life.
Photo credit - Jena Backus
