This is the third and final part of our series on ‘Getting and staying motivated for HSC success’ and definitely the most important step if distractions, procrastination or lack of focus is getting in the way of results.

While almost everyone is aware of the importance of having goals as being the first step towards achievement, it is very rare in my experience of students being aware of the importance of engaging with these goals (a.k.a ‘Vision’) as means of staying motivated.

The act of engaging with your HSC vision can be completed very quickly and without much effort but most importantly it will ensure a student is reminded of all the benefits and rewards that await at the top of Mount HSC.

Let’s explore two ways in which you can engage your Vision.

Create a vision board

Over the last 20 years I have made around 10 different vision boards which are simply a visual representation of what you want to create with your life. The process of creating a vision board has always been a highly energising and inspirational exercise setting me on the path to taking the necessary action. If the vision board is viewed daily it acts as a constant reminder of WHY the hard work will pay off.  

Write your vision out on a scrap piece of paper

Whenever I have asked a student if their HSC vision energises them to study/work towards their goal, the answer is always a big yes. With that in mind, the simple act of wrting out the vision on a piece of paper is going to remind them of their ‘Why’ and energise them for a better study session. How long would it take to write out this vision? A maximum of two minutes by my calculation. Have HSC students got two minutes per day to be more energised towards achieving their goals?

Engaging ones vision in this way can be done anywhere, anytime throughout the HSC journey but even better it is a tool that can be utilised at University and beyond to ensure that we stay ‘self motivated’ no matter what challenge we are overcoming.

If you missed last week’s 2nd blog post of this series, click here.

In 2018 there have never been more distractions for HSC students to take their focus and energy away from a year that will have a huge impact on the direction of their life.

Whenever a student indicates that they ‘just can’t focus’ or ‘I get distracted so easily’ or ‘I’m very good at procrastination’ it is clear to me that this is simply a sign that they either do not have a clear vision of what they want to create through their HSC or alternatively they have forgotten about all the benefits and rewards that await them at the top of Mount HSC (aka their HSC Vision).

Using John as an example, if he is 10/10 committed in achieving his HSC vision then he is going to need to work at keeping these connections and pathways in his brain fired up so the actions he takes on a daily basis are consistent with its achievement. If these connections and pathways become tenuous and weak it is unlikely he will have the will power/discipline/motivation to complete the most important tasks.

John’s HSC Vision: Use my HSC to create a better future for myself, Canada trip post HSC will be that much better if I have zero regrets, Business related degree, Schoolies will be that much better if it is a reward for all the hard work, 85-92 ATAR, i want to use the HSC to demonstrate that I have persistence, courage, determination and resilience in the face of challenges. 

When it comes to eliminating distractions and crushing procrastination an HSC student is no different to an Olympic athlete, a corporate ladder climbing warrior or a small business owner looking to grow their business. If the vision isn’t clear and front of mind, then distractions will look even more attractive, procrastination will become the default decision and a problems and excuses will creep into the campaign.

The antidote to distractions, procrastination, problems and excuses is to engage with the vision daily so as to give our brain the best opportunity to choose the path to progress and results over the path to inertia.

In our next part to this series on ‘Getting and staying motivated for HSC success’ we look at three ways to engage with your vision daily to stay motivated towards the study actions that count.

If you missed our 1st blog of the series on getting motivated and eliminating distraction, you can view it here.

Be sure to read our next blog ‘Engaging Your Vision to Stay Energized Towards HSC Success’ as the final piece in this series: CLICK HERE TO READ

Knowing your ‘why’ when you are studying for your HSC is the first and most important step to improving results.

Without clarity around all the benefits (a.k.a your ‘why’) of conquering your HSC challenges a student is unlikely to operate with the level of focus, self discipline and drive required in order to achieve a top result.

While most students will have some kind of ATAR target and this will be on a piece of paper stuck to their wall above their desk that says ‘90’ and while this is better than nothing it is unlikely that this will inspire someone to take action and persevere when the going gets tough.

Turning a number with little emotional attachment into an inspiring Vision that energises a HSC student to take consistent action requires exploring the rewards and associated feelings that will accrue if Mount HSC is conquered.

• What do you want to be able to say to yourself about your effort levels when you walk out of the exam room for the very last time?
• When you are at schoolies in Byron or Gold Coast how do you want to feel looking back at your effort levels towards your HSC?
• What qualities do you need to demonstrate in order to make your HSC Vision your reality?
• What are the qualities you will need to achieve success in life and university? (hint – the same ones as you need to conquer your Mount HSC!)
• How will you feel when you open up your results and you have achieved your goal?
• How will you feel if you open your results if they are disappointing?
• What University courses are you interested in? How will it feel getting into your preferred course?
• Do you want your HSC results to be a demonstration of your gratitude to your parents for everything they have done for you over the last 18 years?

Here is an example of the type of HSC vision that provides the inspiration and energy required to actually take the actions that will turn the HSC Vision into an HSC reality. 

John’s HSC Vision: Use my HSC to create a better future for myself, Canada trip post HSC will be that much better if I have zero regrets, Business related degree, Schoolies will be that much better if it is a reward for all the hard work, 85-92 ATAR, i want to use the HSC to demonstrate that I have persistence, courage, determination and resilience in the face of challenges.

As you can see there can be so much more to HSC goals than simply a number. At HSC CoWorks we position the HSC as an opportunity to develop into an accomplished operator who is ready for the exciting challenges of Mount Uni and Mount Life.

In our next blog in this series of ‘Getting and staying motivated for HSC success’ we will look at how students can keep their HSC Vision firmly front of mind throughout their HSC campaign and as a result eliminate distractions and procrastination. CLICK HERE TO READ

Why ‘YET’ Should Be Your New Favourite Word

— How To Develop A Growth Mindset 

TREAT FAILURE AS AN OPPORTUNITY 

“I derive just as much happiness from the process as from the results. I don’t mind losing as long as I see improvement…If I lose, I just go back to the track and work some more.”          

 

MAKE “YET” YOUR NEW FAVOURITE WORD 

GET EXCITED ABOUT YOUR WEAKNESSES

TRAIN YOUR BRAIN LIKE A MUSCLE 

VALUE EFFORT OVER TALENT, AND THE PROCESS OVER THE END RESULT 

BELIEVE IN YOUR POTENTIAL