Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka announced the arrival of the WTA next-gen after she clinched her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2018 US Open. The Japanese sensation firmly put herself at the top of the game after winning her second major at the 2019 Australian Open. However, how did her fellow mate Jelena Ostapenkoinspire her?

Osakas victory indicated a change of guard as the tour mainstays were no longer favored to win the major events. The 2-time Grand Slam winner has proved that she has the capability to achieve more in very little time.

Osaka explained that watching Ostapenko win the French Open 2017 inspired all the WTA next-gen star to win the major titles against the veterans.

I think Ostapenko was the first to win a Grand Slam. But honestly, watching her win that motivated me a lot. I think it motivated all of us. I think she was sort of the first push,Osaka said at the 2019 Sheseido WTA Finals Shenzhen.

Then just like watching Serena Williams have a baby and then come back, immediately get to the finals of a Grand Slam, that also motivated me. But, of course, shes the best player, so I shouldnt really compare myself to that. Those were definitely two of the biggest things, she added.

Osaka also revealed that she was not really sure what she was able to sort of bringing to the table in regards to that as she feels that everyone is sort of just doing their own thing because everyone is so different.

Also Read: Naomi Osaka Makes Fun of her Father in a Funny Tik Tok Video

The World No.10 has failed to make the headlines after winning the Australian Open 2019. She could manage to win only 2 titles after the first Grand Slam of the season. It will be interesting to see how the Japanese star performs after the tour resumes.

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Watching Her Win Motivated Me Naomi Osaka Inspired by Jelena Ostapenko - Essentially Sports

This time of Coronavirus disruption is creating a situation for many where they have more available free time. For some, hours have been cut back or jobs have been lost. Then, there are those who find themselves working from their homes, which presents its own challenges, especially where child care services or school attendance has been interrupted.

In some workplaces, people are needing to fill-in for staff members who are out ill. For others, such as in the medical field, the work demands, in certain areas, are overwhelming. These differing scenarios have something in common, though: Routines are being toppled. Which leads to the question: How does one come to feel a sense of accomplishment, even in unsettling circumstances? Inevitably, it is when goals are being met.

Goal-setting appeals to the innate need to succeed. Goals are measurable, which means one can observe progress or the lack thereof. When goals are met one can feel a sense of satisfaction in the completion of the task. Many employees are being compelled to take time away from their routine and/or their typical job responsibilities. This can be quite a shock to ones motivation system. We humans are designed to be productive to do things that matter. We also function much more efficiently when we have routines in place. While we all enjoy having time off from work now and then, we really like attaining goals.

A substantial amount of research has focused on how the handling of goals impacts the type of motivation employees experience. The same holds true for our own individual drives. In a typical workday, we find ourselves largely driven by requests and assignments. These require specific performances: There is no choice but to get into response mode. In the present time, the flow and pace are changed up in such a way that it can be disorienting. People are saying they are unsure as to which day it is, feel less productive even when they are completing tasks, are finding themselves feeling more tired than they feel they should, that work is more draining, that it takes more of a push to get tasks done, etc.

This is understandable: We thrive on routine. Having a regular order of tasks to handle brings about a cadence and efficiency to the accomplishment of same; here, work is much less efforted. On the other hand, disorder and the absence of expected activity bring a sense of a lack of purpose, and seem to slow us down to a point where our normal, smoothly functioning, fast-paced flow of work is obstructed.

What it all boils down to is to have clear expectations, which can be measured. These will differ in the context of the environment at hand: whether at the office, plant, campus, or home. The key is to have specific goals, which are often set by people to whom we report, be as real and concrete, as they are under normal working circumstances. It would be useful for managers to include employees in the setting of goals, where feasible, especially in such difficult times. We need goals to guide our work productivity.

Additionally, we may need to set some goals for our personal activities or home projects in order to satisfy the desire to feel accomplished. You see, for most people, before COVID-19, when they were not at not work, they had hobbies, sports, and other activities in which they were engaging. Right now, gone are sporting events both the observance of and engagement in, movie and dinner dates, socializing with friends, even running most errands.

So, one way to motivate ourselves is to set our own goals to get us into an energized mindset. Achieving certain targets, by a stated time, helps us grow in competence, a key element of self-motivation. There can be much innate satisfaction from the completion of self-assigned tasks and projects. But, be careful not to over-commit or over-promise yourself, as this can be self-defeating. Failure dampens motivation.

I hope youll get out there and drink in the inspiring, clean air with just the right amount of early-spring briskness. Take a hike or a walk, grab a rake and clean-out some flower beds, make those household repairs or renovations, or take the family on a picnic. The best antidote to emotional sluggishness (perfectly understandable in this climate) is doing. Goals provide a framework for action. Set them, and reset them after theyve been achieved.

Dr. Paul P. Baard is an organizational psychologist, specializing in motivation. Formerly a full-time professor at Fordham Universitys Graduate School of Business and a senior line executive in the television industry, he is the lead author of a book on leadership and motivation, and has been published broadly, including in Harvard Business Review. He and Veronica Baard, a former managing director responsible for HR at a major international investment banking firm, head up Baard Consulting LLC, a firm in the greater Boston area, focusing on motivation, conflict reduction, and team building. Questions are welcomed at pbaard@baardconsulting.com.

Read this article:
Motivation Matters: Achieve goals to keep you growing in a time of disruption - The Union Leader

What are we kicking around in our virtual newsroom these days? The digital editors at NBCSportsBoston.com will compile the best from the daily e-mail exchanges amongst our on-air personalities, insiders and producers from both Arbella Early Edition and Boston Sports Tonight so you can get a sense of whats on our minds.

Dave Cherubin, Producer (9:36 a.m. ET) -- Could Brady leaving Patriots have the same motivational impact on Bill Belichick as drafting Jimmy Garoppolo had on Tom Brady? Brady is praised for being such a big self-motivator and he also reminds us of it and how he was picked 199th. What about Bill as the ultimate competitor? People are talking about this team having a .500 or less record this year. But Bill's so competitive. It could be a big reason why this team could make the playoffs. How big an accomplishment would that be?

Anthony Chasse, Associate Producer (10:53 a.m. ET) -- Id just like to know what a motivated Belichick looks like vs. the Belichick weve seen. The guy already seems like he works harder and takes his job more seriously than any other coach in sports.

Danielle Trotta, host, Boston Sports Tonight (2:56 p.m. ET) -- Excellent excellent read Michael Holley. Seems like theres tremendous pressure to get this draft right not that other years you dont but without Brady any weaknesses are even more exposed. He covered up a lot of cracks -- ones Jarrett Stidham cant even see yet, much less help hide. But what is the confidence that Bill Belichick can draft and develop receivers and have them excel this year, next year and beyond - when to Holleys point the last time that happened was over a DECADE ago! Even if Bill can spot the talent is he still capable of developing them? Those are two different questions ones I hadnt considered before Holleys piece.

Tom Giles, host, Boston Sports Tonight (3:27 p.m ET) -- We've always thought of Bill as this demanding football coach devoid of emotion. And I think that's probably true when it comes to communication. But, like Brady, he's motivated by proving people wrong. Proving he can still win, regardless of what's in front of him. Holley points out the draft - I'd also point towards game-planning. I expect that most of the Patriots wins next season will be U-G-L-Y. Limit the mistakes and attack the opponents' weaknesses. I think we're primed to see those constants, in addition to the type of creativity that's effected the rule book moving forward.

Michael Holley, host, Boston Sports Tonight (3:30 p.m. ET) -- Bill Belichick is notorious for befriending overwhelmed team builders and then trading with them. He used to call Al Davis Coach Davis, playing to the old mans ego, and then he raked him for a couple of trades (including Randy Moss). Unless Bill OBrien has a policy against making deals with Bill, hes getting a phone call next. If Belichick sees anything of value in Houston, hell target OBrien and get it. OBrien is loopy as a GM.

DJ Bean, host, Boston Sports Tonight (3:36 p.m ET) -- Biggest thing for me with Holley's piece is that Bill the GM officially has to wake up. What's he gonna do, coach better? Short of that thing that happened in that one Super Bowl, Bill hasn't messed that up in a while. It's intriguing how little Bill has done so far this offseason, so the draft is gonna be where it goes down. The man's gonna be trading, whether it's moving down to get a pick to make up for the second they traded away or swapping picks for a roster player a la the Texans trade we saw Thursday.

Robert Kraft: Owner of the New... York Mets?

It sure sounds crazy, but one New York Post columnist is lobbying for the New England Patriots owner to purchase the Mets from the Wilpon family.

Ken Davidoff published a piece Friday morning commending Kraft for lending his Patriots plane to deliver N95 masks from China. Along with the 1.4 million masks he brought home to Massachusetts, he also brought 300,000 masks to New York.

Download the MyTeams app for the latest Patriots news and analysis

Davidoff mentions Kraft's incredible gesture in his argument for the 78-year-old to "save" the Mets franchise.

Yes, Kraft should ride his wave of New York love all the way to serious discussions with the Wilpons, whose efforts to sell the Mets to Steve Cohen unraveled worse than Rich Kotites tenure as Jets head coach. The 78-year-old Kraft could be just the savior the Mets and their emotionally weathered fans need.

Last week, in case you somehow missed it, Kraft arranged for the purchase of 1.4 million N95 masks for his home state of Massachusetts and then another 300,000 for New York, sending the Patriots plane to China to procure them, at a time of dire need in the battle against COVID-19. What a gesture. As The Posts Mark Cannizzaro wrote, Kraft has earned family status here.

Imagine if he built on that profound generosity by turning the Mets into the Patriots of Major League Baseball. He wouldnt be a mere family member. Hed be the godfather of every National League household from New Haven to Trenton. Appreciate what Kraft would bring to Citi Field.

Is Kraft buying the Mets actually likely to happen? No. But it's still an interesting topic for discussion. After the Steve Cohen disaster that unfolded over the winter, Mets fans are looking for hope anywhere they can get it. And if there's one owner who can bring hope to a stagnant franchise, it's the six-time Super Bowl champion owner himself.

Julian Edelman isn't too happy about one of Nick Wright's more recent takes.

TheFOX Sports analyst suggested on FS1's "First Things First" last week that the Patriots could use Edelman in a trade to acquire the Detroit Lions' No. 3 pick in order to draft Tua Tagovailoa. Of course, that didn't sit so well with the Pats wide receiver who finally clapped back on Twitter in a since-deleted tweet.

Download the MyTeams appfor the latest Patriots news and analysis

"Nice hairline bro Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 11, 2020"

This isn't the first time Edelman has been brought up in trade discussions this offseason. After Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month, there was speculation that maybe Edelman would request a trade and follow his quarterback to Florida.

Everything regarding an Edelman trade is strictly speculation at the moment, and if there are plans to trade him we probably won't know it until the week, or day, of the NFL Draft.

However, it's unlikely Bill Belichick lets his top receiver go after losing his star QB -- Jarrett Stidham is already going to have a difficult enough time taking Brady's place.

But, anything can happen as we've seen in the past.

Go here to read the rest:
The Daily Thread: Does Belichick have extra motivation in 2020? - NBCSports.com

With over 25 years spent managing, teaching and observing employees -- and with a degree in psychology and time spent teaching courses on the subject at Cornell University -- Ive spent my fair share of time analyzing and dissecting the thought processes of workers. I've determined that individuals fall into one of three primary groups of motivation: the checklist technician, the rewards artist and the societal. This "three categories of motivation" theory explores the psychology of your co-workers and you.

The Checklist Technician

If youre a person who experiences an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when you complete a task and can check it off a list, then you fall into this category. Early studies on why we remember specific checklist-related items were conducted by Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. Zeigarnik was one of the first researchers to confirm our brain's fixation on pursuing a task. The Zeigarnik Effectsurmises that we remember and place emphasis on responsibilities and items that need to be completed more than things that weve already finished.

The checklist technician thrives on task tension, which improves cognitive availability. There is a euphoria in completing a task and an inner sense of pride. But, be careful when managing checklist people because that euphoria is fleeting, and these people soon feel compelled by the next task at hand.

Pro:These can be great people for managing your most important tasks and projects. Theyre highly focused when they have a clear understanding of the project, and they do well when there are OKRs and metrics in place.

Con: If your organization doesn't have cogently defined project objectives and timelines, these people might focus on what is important, but miss the urgent. These people often do not work well with those who have trouble organizing or with those who like to talk through things in too much detail.

The Rewards Artist

Most of us enjoy the feeling of being recognized for our efforts. For some, its so motivating that they base their value on it, or, more appropriately, they base how they think others value them on the rewards they receive. These people are the most difficult of the three categories to keep motivated, and many times they dont emphasize the right items. In a Harvard Business Review article, the authors state, "According to numerous studies in laboratories, workplaces, classrooms, and other settings, rewards typically undermine the very processes they intended to enhance." There is also the issue that rewards are fleeting. These people are more worried about getting the prize than getting things completed correctly.

Pro: These people can be highly motivating and inspiring to their co-workers. They often make sure their team members also win awards, and they can build productive coalitions at work that can push agendas to completion.

Con: These are the people who spend too much time on social media, wondering who is looking at their Facebook posts, or checking on their LinkedIn number of likes throughout the day. They are heavy multitaskers and often miss key points in meetings and projects. One other major issue is that they experience a declining level of satisfaction with rewards seen as equal value to what theyve already obtained. They require a more substantial reward to feel motivated, and at some point, this isn't possible. As the ability to attain higher rewards diminishes, these people lose motivation or, worse yet, become work saboteurs.

The Societal

For those who find their primary motivation at work around social interactions, work can be very stimulating. These peoples closest friends are those associated with their work. They text with co-workers and vendors after work and on the weekends and are the ones who make sure we all go to work-related happy hours and events.

Pro: They can be a pick-me-up for others at work and make many people feel important with their constant attention, and they can create a positive emotional contagion. They are often connectors and can get stalled items moving quickly with their social talents.

Con: These workers habitually have mood swings. They frequently need to untwist their way of thinking and can suffer from cognitive distortion, which leads to false conclusions about situations and intentions. Since theyre excessively emotionally invested at work, they often act spiteful and lash out at those they dont like.

Be The Ringleader For Employee Engagement

As a leader, you must be able to build a team, yet never forget the individual. You must understand where your people primarily fall among these three categories to keep them motivated and, more importantly, engaged at work. There are significant emotional bonds tied to all three categories, and people need a sense of purpose to work successfully.

A Gallup poll indicated that companies with the highest levels of employee engagement are 21% more productivethan those with low levels of employee engagement. Employee engagement is not missed by those in the C-suite of great organizations since higher employee engagement scores affect the bottom-line financials. According to the research advisory firm Bersin by Deloitte, no less than 85% of business leaders globally believe employee engagement is essential.

The encouraging thing about people in each of these three categories is that they can be highly successful at work, and each group has members at the top of organizations. You need to understand how each of your people fits into these categories; this will help with job satisfaction and motivation, which has a correlation with employee engagement. A final point to consider is where you fit into these categories. Remember, in order to be a great leader, you need emotional intelligence, which requires self-awareness.

Read more:
The Psychology Of Leadership: The Three Categories Of Motivation Theory - Forbes

Luka Garza didn't get the closure to his season that he wanted when the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments were canceled.

So the Iowa junior center got back in the gym right away, even though it wasn't going to be like any other postseason workout.

Instead of getting shots up in the Hawkeyes' practice facility, Garza is back at home in the Washington, D.C., area, trying to find gyms where he can work out during this time of uncertainty because of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

"When the season ends, youre kind of ready to take a little break," Garza said on a Friday teleconference. "I obviously wasnt."

Garza, coming off a season in which he was a consensus All-American and won six national player-of-the-year honors, announced on Friday that he was going to enter the NBA Draft process, but not hire an agent to keep his NCAA eligibility.

Garza said it would take a "real opportunity" to go to the NBA and pass on his final year with the Hawkeyes, who are considered to be among the best teams in the nation and a Big Ten title favorite next season if Garza returns.

If anything, Garza said, he'll appreciate the feedback from NBA teams, but he already has his own analysis on his game.

"First off, I think I bring a lot to a team in terms of the way I play and how hard I play," he said. "No matter what team is interested, they will know 100 percent that if they take me, that Im a guy who is going to go in and make the most of every opportunity they give me, go as hard as I can, be willing to work and hear criticism and all of that.

"I think Im a guy whose shot will translate to the next level. As well as my post game I feel confident in my ability to score on the block. No matter what level I play at, I know Im able to score on bigger and stronger defenders, those guys who are a similar size to me."

Garza, though, knows there are parts of his game that need improving.

"I know I definitely need to work on, obviously for the NBA but even for next year, just my lateral quickness, my lateral movement, my ability to guard ball screens, my on-ball defense, just everything on defense," he said. "I think I took a huge stride this season in my defense and my ability to protect the rim.

"Im all ears in this process. Im always a guy who is open to criticism and always takes any knowledge I can get to improve my game. Thats a very important piece of it."

Garza was especially dominant in Big Ten play, averaging 26.2 points and 9.7 rebounds on his way to being named the conference's player of the year. He closed the season with a 16-game streak of scoring 20 points or more in Big Ten games, the longest streak in the conference since 1987.

He was named the national player of the year by Sporting News, Basketball Times, ESPN, FOX, Stadium and Bleacher Report. But he missed out on other national awards, like the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy, that went to Dayton's Obi Toppin.

Garza congratulated Toppin with a Twitter post on Tuesday night after the Wooden Award was announced.

"Honestly, the whole time, for me it was a blessing to be in the conversation," he said. "To be widely considered as a top-two candidate is something Ill always remember for the rest of my life. Being a finalist for those awards is something I honestly could have never dreamed of.

"That meant a lot to me."

Garza said it was "a little upsetting" when he didn't win some of the awards, but that sentiment quickly faded.

"Youve just got to realize that thats not why I play the game of basketball. Its not for the awards, its not for the recognition," he said. "Its because I love the game."

Asked what has been driving him since the end of the season, Garza said, "The same motivation I take into every offseason I want to improve, I want to take bigger steps. Im never really comfortable, definitely not content, with where Im at as a player right now. As a basketball player, Im always trying to push toward my potential, and I think I havent reached that yet. Every day is just another effort in trying to make that happen, trying to get closer to my potential.

"Im not satisfied with what happened this year."

Garza said his break in workouts won't last long. He admits that finding places to work has become more difficult.

"Its been harder, its not the usual offseason," he said. "Where theres a will, theres a way. And if you want to improve, youll find a way."

Read more from the original source:
Motivation Helps Garza In Offseason - Sports Illustrated

Breaking down big projects into smaller tasks helps.

Even in normal circumstances, it can be hard to get motivated to do your schoolwork. But these are not normal circumstances.

The switch to remote instruction caused by COVID-19 has been unsettling. Patterns have changed. Habits have been disrupted. Remote classes are simply different from classes that involve face-to-face instruction.

As a researcher who looks at what it takes to get through college, I have a few tips that could maximize your motivation and productivity when youre at home going to school online.

You do not need large amounts of time to be productive. Instead, be intentional and focused in short blocks where you can work without interruption. Protect these open times by setting up your workspace to minimize distraction including silencing notifications on your cellphone or laptop. Communicate your boundaries to friends and family and make sure to identify times when work and socialization can happen.

Write down the work you need to accomplish, because there is a limit to how much information you can recall and process at one time. Examine the remaining projects, including research and written assignments, and estimate the amount and type of effort that each requires. Identify any tests and quizzes that are scheduled and determine what preparation is necessary.

Breaking big projects into smaller and more manageable tasks allows you to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Your assigned tasks should follow a logical sequence. Some tasks are basic, like locating articles in the online library for a research paper. Others, like proofreading, are best left to do later in the process. Work steadily, and record your progress as you do, because you get more done when you can actually see the progress youre making.

When you set specific and difficult goals for your work and make them public in some way, it can boost your performance and enhance your motivation.

Setting generic, vague or easy goals is less helpful. Set goals related to effort. For example, plan to spend three hours one day studying for a certain class. Also, set goals related to the completion of specific tasks or products. For instance, give yourself a deadline to read and take notes on a specific article for a certain paper you must write.

Further, make time in your plan to deal with any interruptions and challenges that may occur. For example, when my 7-year-old gets bored or needs some attention and interrupts me in my work, I plan to spend 20-30 minutes doing something with her. We take a walk or a bike ride, or create some art. Then I can return to work. I even set a timer to keep myself honest.

It pays to clarify the rewards at stake this semester whether those rewards are internal, such as the feeling of accomplishment that comes from understanding a difficult concept well, or external, such as getting a good grade.

Many universities are adopting pass/fail grading systems in the short term, so the external reward course grades provide will likely be different. Learning is what matters now. Focus on the course learning outcomes and make sure that youre meeting them, because these skills will be the ones required of you as you progress toward your degree.

This is an unprecedented crisis, and we are all scrambling to make it work. You didnt expect to spend these months at home, learning online. Some days wont go as planed - and thats alright. Forgive yourself when you dont do your best, then move forward and overcome the setbacks.

Eventually, this pandemic will be over. Face-to-face classes will start again, and this semester will be but a memory. The good habits you build and the strategies follow now to manage to learn and work independently will bear dividends in the future.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

Originally posted here:
6 ways to build motivation to do your schoolwork now that you're forced to learn online at home - The Conversation US

Paul Pogba claims unfinished business lured him back to Manchester United as Real Madrid and Juventus line up to prise him away again this summer.

The France internationals future remains the source of uncertainty having failed to live up to his 89million price tag since returning to Old Trafford four years ago.

Pogba has made no secret of his desire to seek a new challenge, while United are prepared to sell if a club meets their 150m asking price.

But with major doubts over Real or Juve coming up with a suitable bid, United face the prospect of having to slash their valuation or bank on Pogba finally realising his potential in a red shirt.

And the 27-year-old, who is ready to return to action once the season resumes after ankle surgery, has revealed his desire to achieve his ambitions at United after initially leaving the club for Juve in 2012.

I was really happy to come back, he said. I left it and didnt finish. I started something, but I didnt finish, I just went somewhere else.

Obviously, coming back where I started was for me, why I was really happy. Now Im ready to come as a confirmed player not a youth player.

My mother always told me: You will go somewhere but come back. She always said this.

I was like: We will see but you know mothers and the things she said: You will come back here, dont worry and that was just after. She said you will come back to Manchester, dont worry, and I did.

Pogba has been a regular target for critics after failing to lead United back to the top.

But speaking to Uniteds official club podcast, he discussed his unwavering self belief.

My parents came from Africa to get to France and worked hard for me, he added. I think, as a kid, you dont really know but my mum, there used to be five in the house, and its hard for a mother.

You have to feed them and have to be there for them and everything. She works hard to help us, you know. For us, so we have everything, because of her, so I have to work 10 times harder and its something I always have in my mind.

My dad as well. To be the best, the first, to always want more.

When you have a dream, just go for it. A dream is free. You wake up after a dream but, at least when you dream, you can dream as big as you want.

You still dream and want to achieve it. What my goals are, I always want more, we can always learn at this age or 10 or even 40 or 50.

You will always learn something. I love to learn new things. I love to try things and stuff.

You can listen to the rest of the interview from Monday evening.

Link:
Paul Pogba reveals motivation for Manchester United return as Old Trafford future hangs in the balance - Evening Standard

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A lack of motivation and positivity is normal and natural during this strange, difficult time.

Its important for us to identify how we feel so we can move forward and make this time beneficial. its also crucial to not be hard on ourselves.

A lot of people- including college students- are feeling depressed, uneasy and unsure right now.

Any feelings or lack thereof are normal and natural. Theres nothing wrong with you for lacking positivity and motivation; no one is expecting us to be superheroes. We are trying to survive and get through this, not become millionaires or expert Ted Talkers in five weeks.

Heres how we can better ourselves in quarantine to help increase positive thoughts and work ethic:

First, we need to remember what motivated us in the past & visualize our future. This first step is key. Maybe helping others motivates you, or making art makes your day. It doesnt matter what it is, as long as we can identify it and apply it to our present and future selves.

You can stay happy, calm and motivated by writing down things youre grateful for or at least think about them. Everything seems bleak, but writing down your gratitude can help you remember what life is all about, and value what you have.

One way to visualize our future is to make a vision board. Vision boards help people visualize their future and goals. Make sure the vision board is out in the open, on a bedroom wall, for example.

Next, its important we dont compare ourselves to others and what they post on social media. By limiting social media usage, we can be happier and more motivated.

Another way to have positive, uncluttered mental processes is by staying organized. You can do this by cleaning your room or house. Making a schedule and sticking to it can help, and that includes implementing a sleep schedule that works for you.

Make sure you also create an adequate work-life balance. Dont work in your bed; find a specific place to do work without distractions.

Its also important not to procrastinate, especially when school work keeps on piling up. Writing down what you need to do every day and setting a goal can put you on the right track to be successful.

Your goal doesnt have to be climbing Mount Everest. It can be as big or as small as you want. Checking off a goal from your checklist will keep you motivated and create feelings of accomplishment.

One way to try and finish that goal is to listen to music while studying. Listening to ambient sounds helps you concentrate and enjoy your time studying.

You can also work in short bursts. For example, work for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break- and repeat. If that isnt working for you, switch the numbers up to find a way that does work.

Make sure you keep in contact with your professors in whatever way possible. This rings especially true if you are falling behind or need academic support. Your professors are here to motivate you.

If your professor cant solve your problem, talk to someone who can help. Be open and honest about how youre feeling.

Finding a mentor or someone you trust can help put things into perspective and give you an outlet.

Its still important to try to eat healthy food and exercise. Exploring nature by going outside (while maintaining social distancing) can help you refocus. According to a recent study, vitamin D is proven to make you happier. Soak up that sun!

Lastly, take a deep breath, meditate and realize this situation isnt forever. We will get through this together, as long as we practice government guidelines. Post-quarantine may seem light-years away, but that doesnt mean we cant make the most out of the present.

Excerpt from:
If there's a Will, there's a way: Staying motivated during uncertain times - Shield

While the country remains in lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, you may be finding it difficult maintaining your regular workout routine or feeling motivated to exercise at all.

However, working out in some form on a regular basis will prove extremely beneficial for your physical health in the long run, not to mention also helping to alleviate some of the stress you may be experiencing.

Of course, finding the time and space to exercise while at home is far easier said than done. Nonetheless, with gyms being closed and people spending less time outdoors, we have to try our best to make do with our domestic surroundings.

The Independent has spoken to fitness experts who have provided their top tips for ways you can stay motivated to workout from home, in addition to some examples of exercises you can try.

From former Olympic athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill to Chris Hemsworths personal trainer Luke Zocchi, here are their golden nuggets of advice:

Weekdays can easily flow into weekends while spending the majority of your time at home, which is why sticking to a regular routine is a good idea.

Routine is everything, says personal trainer and fitness expert Stefanie Williams. Plan your day like you would if you were leaving the house to go to work and structure in regular tasks.

Ennis-Hill reiterates this point, recommending that people go back to their school days by making a plan you can commit to on pen and paper.

Once its written down its always easier to stick to, the track and field athlete states. Put this somewhere you can see it every day and tick the days off as you go.

Better yet, record your progress to track how to get on and monitor fitness gains.

Luke Zocchi, Chris Hemsworths personal trainer and a featured expert on Centr(the Avengers actors personalised digital health and fitness programme), adds that making sure to get in routine and be consistent can help shake off some of the stress youre probably feeling.

Things are stressful right now, dont underestimate how starting your day with a short workout can boost your mood and give you more energy, he states.

With the current global climate, you should set aside areas of your home where you can relax and your mind can be put at ease.

You should also select a space in your household that is to become your regular exercise haunt, Williams says.

Dedicate an area in your home to working out and have your workout clothes and workout area ready the night before each workout day, she suggests.

Ollie Thompson, a personal trainer for SIX3NINE in Covent Garden, London, emphasises that creating a space in your home for your fitness schedule is crucial.

Having a dedicated space will not only remind you to exercise regularly but it will also be a great motivator knowing that the space is ready for use and you dont need to reshuffle the furniture, he says. Theres a lot that you can do with a simple mat or a towel.

Quality, not quantity, says Centr trainer Zocchi. If youre training at the right intensity and pushing yourself, you can get an awesome cardio workout session done in around 20 minutes.

If youre smashing out a weights session to build serious muscle you should still keep it to an hour max.

In Williams opinion, working out in the morning would be beneficial so you can make the most of your energy and to motivate you for the day.

Dedicate a set time for your workouts and protect that time, she says, recommending that beginners do around 15 to 20 minutes of exercise every other day, and that regular gym-goers aim for 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every other day.

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A Brooklyn resident relaxes in a hammock hung on their balcony

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Musician Adam Moser plays for neighbours from his balcony in Budapest, Hungary

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A man and his son on their balcony in Brooklyn

Reuters

A man sits alone on a roof terrace in Rome

Reuters

A rose is delivered by drone to a woman on Mother's Day in Jounieh, Lebanon

AFP/Getty

Women dance on their balcony as a radio station plays music for a flash mob to raise spirits in Rome

Reuters

A skeleton stands on a balcony in Frankfurt, Germany

AP

The film Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna is projected on a building in Rome

AP

A woman uses a basket tied to a rope to pull a delivery of groceries up to her balcony in Naples, Italy

EPA

DJ Francesco Cellini plays for his neighbours from the rooftop terrace of his flat block in Rome

Reuters

A woman gestures from her balcony in Barcelona

EPA

Cellist Karina Nunez performs for her neighbours at the balcony of her flat in Panama City

Reuters

DJ Nash Petrovic live streams a set from his roof in Brooklyn

Reuters

People applaud medical workers from their balconies in Modiin, Israel

Reuters

A Brooklyn resident relaxes in a hammock hung on their balcony

Reuters

Residents toast during a "safe distance" aperitif time between neighbours in Anderlecht, Belgium

Reuters

Musician Adam Moser plays for neighbours from his balcony in Budapest, Hungary

Reuters

A man and his son on their balcony in Brooklyn

Reuters

A man sits alone on a roof terrace in Rome

Reuters

For parents looking after children at home, it may be easier said than done to find the right time to exercise during the day.

Steven Virtue, fitness content and programming manager at Total Fitness, advises working out while the children are napping or combining playtime with exercise.

Whilst your toddler or school child is enjoying their playtime, join in and make this a time for you to be active as well, he says.

Keep yourself fit by spending quality time with your children and enjoy the health benefits it has to offer.

Just because many of us are in self-isolation doesnt mean we cant be social with one another, both with other individuals in our households and those who are elsewhere.

If you would rather not exercise on your own, having your friends or family members join in with you could help give you a boost, either in person or over video chat.

Its always so much easier to stick to a workout plan, get into the zone and stay motivated if you have friends or family to join in with you, Ennis-Hill says.

If youre alone, get your friends together and do a virtual workout over FaceTime, Skype, whatever you want to use the more the merrier!

Williams adds that you can spruce up your joint workouts with friends by setting challenges for one another using a timer when doing certain exercises.

When doing regular exercise, it is important that you do physical activities that you enjoy, rather than feeling as though you need to copy what somebody else is doing.

Approach activity in the way you enjoy it, says SIX3NINE trainer Thompson. If youve never been somebody that enjoys running, dont force yourself to.

If you find a style of exercise that you enjoy the most and is physically possible with the space and resources that you have, then do it!

Ennis-Hill adds that it is important not to think too much about how tough or daunting the workout you do is going to be.

Focus on the endorphin rush and how great you will feel after! she says.

Ive always said how exercise is such a great way to get the happy hormone flowing and if you must stay at home, exercise is a sure-fire way to give you a little boost.

If you are unsure where to start with your at-home fitness routine, it could be worth reaching out to a fitness professional who can provide you with assistance, says Thompson.

I would advise chatting to your gym as they might be able to help you devise a plan, he says, explaining that while they are closed, SIX3NINE is able to provide personal training sessions via video chat.

Online health and fitness programmes are also able to help people at home keep up their fitness levels, with Centr currently offering a six-week free trial for new members who sign up by Sunday 5 April.

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How to stay motivated to workout from home, according to experts - The Independent

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Sometimes entrepreneurship isnt planned for, it emerges. For Kator Hule, entrepreneurship emerged at age 10 when he was a sales representative and at 11 years as a professional photographer in the small town of Lessel, Benue State Nigeria.

But after he graduated from university, Kator moved from Benue, his home state to Abuja, the nations capital. In his word, I left Benue for Abuja with nothing but a pair of trousers and two shirts, I was broke with no accommodation but I was living in a friends office. It was the darkest time he can ever remember, marked by social and economic challenges.

Kator didnt own any property in his name. He didnt have collateral or credit history. He was left with a mindset of possibility. But he managed to turn it around in 2013 after he emerged among top 50 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that were sponsored by Diamond bank Plc under the Building Entrepreneurs Today 3 (BET3) programme. Kator was also selected as a Semi-Finalist (amongst 26 others) in an international competition that attracted more than 1000 entries from 32 countries.

Kator is educated and resourceful, but he knew that many young people like him find themselves in difficult circumstances without access to productive assets. I saw that there were other young people like myself, some of them had not been to school like I had been and they were less privileged than I had beenand I thought: How are they managing? In Africa, entrepreneurship, economic independence, and ability to contribute to economic growth is often restricted by a lack of opportunities and financing regulations that require tangible collateral. In Nigeria, where 69 percent of the population live below the poverty line, people struggle to open and grow businesses without the collateral needed to qualify for loans. More than 90 percent of the population do not own property, this exclusion propels many of the countrys population into a cycle of poverty.

Kator saw an opportunity to circumvent the restrictions that limit young people and people in the rural areass economic participation. He redesigned the traditional model of micro-finance to work for Nigerian entrepreneurs. In 2012, he founded KATOR HULE ENTERPRISES (K.H.E) in Abuja and began loaning and goats farming. Under this initiatives, Mr Hule created a FinTech called FIGI, a platform that enable users gain access to financial products such as loans and investment windows using mobile technology gateways.

The FIGI loans platform are offered to members of the public at no interest, without collateral and financial history reviews. Eight years later, Kator and his team have provided loans to over 2,000 businesses, impacted more than 100,000 people and created 55,000 jobs. A repayment rate of 85 percent enabled the company to keep growing; to serve more women and their families.

KATOR HULE ENTERPRISES (K.H.E) has been a catalyst for startup businesses in Nigeria, responsible for the launch of a range of small businesses and enterprises.

FIGI is just about everything the flexible loans offer ranges from the lowest amount required by a client up to 10 Million Naira [USD$28,000] repayable in 12 months. The facility is accessible to all people (aged 18 years to 70), who are using mobile technologies/gadgets and have a bank account with a Bank Verification Number.

INVESTMENT, Each FIGI beneficiary automatically becomes an investor at the period of cashing out. The profit from the investment can be withdrawn anytime and the principal withdrawn once your loan has been repaid.

TRANSFER MONEY, On the FIGI platform, users can make savings, transfer monies to other FIGI account holders (called Figiants), pay for house rents (on House9ja), buy fresh food or cooked food, pay for laundry, medical insurance and other services available on the integrated Apps.

A majority of Kators clients, 60 percent, live in rural areas. Many are widows and young farmers who wouldnt otherwise have access to the opportunity FIGI provides. Kator has designed a solution that meets his communitys needs, and he has built a model recognized by the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan after emerging top in a business plan writing competition, Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!). Mr Hule was also acknowledged for ground breaking effort in driving business changes that build organizational effectiveness and propel revenue growth.

His entrepreneurship fuels bigger dreams, bigger goals. If I can change the life of one person it makes a whole difference because behind that person there is a whole family. Its a family, its a society. Kator plans to open offices across Nigeria and has his sights set on expanding to other countries in West Africa.

Goats farming is the other business interest of Kator Hule, Im a goats farmer, he said with excitement during this interview with PLEASURES MAGAZINES Faith Kirian.

Kator never gave up and to add to his achievements, his success story made it to the cover of the Pan African Entrepreneurial and Luxury magazine, Pleasures Magazine.

In some parts of the world, farmers are viewed with respect and cultivating the land is seen as an honorable trade. But in a region where most agriculture is still for subsistence relying on cutlass, hoe and a hope for rain farming is a synonym for poverty.

But Mr. Hule is among a growing number of young, college-educated Africans fighting the stigma by seeking to professionalize farming. They are applying scientific approaches and data-crunching apps not just to increase yields, but to show that agriculture can be profitable.

They call themselves agripreneurs.

Its a steep challenge. Undeveloped distribution networks, poor roads and fickle water supplies are difficult hurdles for even the most competent farmer, and many of these would-be farmers have little training or experience.

However, these agricultural entrepreneurs hope to make money and to tackle the confounding calculus of a continent that holds about 65 percent of the worlds most arable uncultivated land, but which imports over $35 billion in food a year, according to a report by the African Development Bank.

In Nigeria, theyve been bolstered by the government, which is in the midst of an ambitious national rollout to increase agricultural capacity and entice young people back to the farm. As seen from the rest of the continent, Nigerias farmers are aging, even as young people pour into cities in search of jobs amid skyrocketing youth unemployment.

Rolling up sleeves and bucking convention, some young farmers have left behind cushy jobs. They tend to be people who have the means to lease or buy large tracts of land, and afford a loss. They often have little more training on how to rear chicks and till soil than from YouTube videos. But underscoring their work is a sense that whats at stake is Africas economic future.

For Mr. Hule, 37, the future is goat farming.

Both are rare delicacies here, and are typically harvested from the wild. Mr. Azumah, who has a bachelors degree in engineering from the University of Agriculture, Markudi, Nigeria and a certificate in entrepreneurship management (CEM) from Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos , spotted a missed opportunity: captive breeding. When he told his mother, Martha Amuzu, she wept.

We have to make farming sexy and KHE GOATS are here to stay, said Kator Hule, who has a bachelors degree in engineering from the University of Agriculture, Markudi, Nigeria and a certificate in entrepreneurship management (CEM) from the Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos has laborers on his farm in Gwagwalada area of Abuja, rearing hundreds of his goats.

Goats provide one of the most proteinous meats. Mutton ranks among the highest consumed of animal protein in Nigeria and Kator Hule Enterprises (KHE) is leveraging on the huge market gap and enabling environment to tailor solutions in price stability and quality meat supply. A commercial farm, KHE is professionally managing goats using advanced technologies and available raw materials. Beyond farming healthy/ strong/ affordable breeds of goats, the farm makes supplies to restaurants, abattoirs, events and local goat merchants.

Market access, advanced breeds, good transport system, insurance and good farm security are the farms advantages. Goat business is safe as the mortality rate of goats is low.

In todays dynamic society, effective management of a business requires expertise ranging widely from administrative to technological areas. Conscious of this, our farm is administered by a solid team of professionals, including Agricultural Engineers, ICT and financial experts, vet and animal scientists.

Yearly, KHE Goat Farms opens a unique opportunity for investors to partake by owning goats or sheep in our farm and make profits when we sell them. Investors also enjoy benefits such as free goats/ sheep and free bags of rice at festive periods such as Christmas, Easter, Sallah and during special times such as birthdays and wedding anniversary. In year 2019, we gave out lots of live goats, cooking oil, chickens and bags of rice to our investors in Abuja, Lagos, Benue and Oyo.

Mr. Hule now opens his doors to investors to come in, and according to world bank report, investments in this sector are estimated to be two or three times more effective at reducing poverty than investing in other sectors. Doors are wide open for potential investors to invest with us as we are looking to expand our loans and goat farming initiatives, even beyond Nigeria to other West African countries. The government has made agriculture a priority, and has provided an enabling environment for investment in the sector, said Kator Hule.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015, Nigeria made raising the productivity of its agricultural sector a key initiative.

And with government placing agricultural transformation at the centre of the countrys economic modification, I believe the most achievable pathway to raising the efficiency and productivity within the sector to the necessary standards for sustainable economic growth is an investment in farming, Mr Hule informed Pleasures Magazine.

---Pleasures Magazine

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Creating Opportunities Out Of Nothing: The Motivating Story Of Kator Hule - Modern Ghana