How to change for the better? Time management skills, priorities, etc?
By jeeyah
@jeeyah (1092)
Philippines
March 29, 2012 9:26am CST
Hi,
I'm a college student and an entrepreneur. I'm having difficulties balancing these 2 things (plus a whole lot of other things in my life). It seems like I've lost the motivation to study (my course is COMPUTER ENGINEERING) because I just want to earn by business (it's my passion). And lately I've been having a lot of problems, I'm almost failing in my subjects. And at the same time, I'm almost bankrupt with my business. I'm in total chaos and I feel so depressed.
So now I would like to ask for your advice. How can I change for the better? I realize that the problem with me is that I'm feeling lazy to study because I don't have motivation. What do you think could motivate me? Also, how do I manage my time better and how should I set my priorities?
I really really need advice. Please help.
Thank you!
9 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
29 Mar 12
Hi jeeyah
You were really missed a lot my dear friend.
Reading this, I must say you took wrong decisions. See the fact is that education helps. You have not mentioned what is your business all about. It would have definitely helped me provide you a better solution.
but for now, here is what I can say - you should for a while stop thinking about business as right now, you should be studying. Unsure if you have a family financial reason or any other reason (besides that passion thing) for your business.
See, the fact is that if Money earning is the sole aim, definitely computer engineering can help - so the field of study is not that bad. How many more years of education you have (to get qualified as Computer Engineer?).
And please share with me you have my email already so please use it. I know I can assist you with something which would help.
Take care.
You were really missed a lot my dear friend.
Reading this, I must say you took wrong decisions. See the fact is that education helps. You have not mentioned what is your business all about. It would have definitely helped me provide you a better solution.
but for now, here is what I can say - you should for a while stop thinking about business as right now, you should be studying. Unsure if you have a family financial reason or any other reason (besides that passion thing) for your business.
See, the fact is that if Money earning is the sole aim, definitely computer engineering can help - so the field of study is not that bad. How many more years of education you have (to get qualified as Computer Engineer?).
And please share with me you have my email already so please use it. I know I can assist you with something which would help.
Take care.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
1 Apr 12
Fantastic. Now based on your response - here is how things will work fine for you -
Your Business (retail clothes) can be a success via internet too - you must be aware of e-commerce. So practically you can have a retail shop and also an online shop to extend your clientele. Once that happens, you can sit back and relax as the online shop will have its own way to grow. And spend some time on the retail shop (for the time being you can ask someone from your family to take care of it). remember you are an entrepreneur. You have to be on the side where you have to find options where your business grows (this is because of you being passionate). And to find these new options, the best way is to become a computer geek - and this is what you are studying - once done you can divert your time to use computers to create designs for your clothes, or even make your website stronger or even (lets say the worst) if your business crashes, you would have some thing as a back up...
Now dear, isnt it something challenging? get motivation from the fact that your business can extend, you can get more clients, more prospects and eventually more earnings if you complete the term. And also you do say that you are in your country's top state university... isnt that a blessing in itself? I mean if the Lords had other plans, you wouldnt have got an admission here... and now that you are into it, you are not only missing out on your opportunities but also defying the Lord's purpose...
Hope the above helps
@jeeyah (1092)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
Hi thesids! I'm glad that you still remember me!
Anyway, my business is about retail. I basically just sell clothes, shoes, etc. Some girly stuff. Lol. And the thing is it has absolutely nothing to do with my course. Hahaha.
I guess I'm doing business because my family has some minor financial problems, and they don't give me money to buy some of the things I need. I was able to buy cellphones, a laptop, and a used car using my own money that I earned myself. I guess that's why it's also hard for me to let go of my business because I need it for financial reasons as well.
But yes, I know that once I become a Computer Engineer, I would earn way way more money as compared to what I am earning with my small business now. And I guess I should really really keep that in mind. I need to stop wasting the education that was given to me. I'm studying in my country's top state university, and part of my tuition fees is subsidized by the government. I have just finished my 2nd year in college last March. I have 3 more years to go before I graduate and officially become a Computer Engineer.
Thank you so much again, thesids! You were missed as well!
Anyway, my business is about retail. I basically just sell clothes, shoes, etc. Some girly stuff. Lol. And the thing is it has absolutely nothing to do with my course. Hahaha.
I guess I'm doing business because my family has some minor financial problems, and they don't give me money to buy some of the things I need. I was able to buy cellphones, a laptop, and a used car using my own money that I earned myself. I guess that's why it's also hard for me to let go of my business because I need it for financial reasons as well.
But yes, I know that once I become a Computer Engineer, I would earn way way more money as compared to what I am earning with my small business now. And I guess I should really really keep that in mind. I need to stop wasting the education that was given to me. I'm studying in my country's top state university, and part of my tuition fees is subsidized by the government. I have just finished my 2nd year in college last March. I have 3 more years to go before I graduate and officially become a Computer Engineer.
Thank you so much again, thesids! You were missed as well! 
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
29 Mar 12
First, you have to have the willingness to try. You can manage your time in so many ways. You can start off by buying an organizer. It can be just a simple notebook where you can write your schedules, or you can use your cellphone for it. If you have a computer, you can use Excel to write down your schedules. There are also a lot of applications if you want a more linear approach to arranging your plans and tasks. You can also use sticky notes, this actually works. I thought sticky notes are annoying at first but it really helped me keep myself on track even on tight ends. There are a lot more ways out there, you just have to explore.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
I wouldn't know how. All I think about is it's better if you do whatever you can today so that you can rest tomorrow. It's a lame thought but it actually works.
@jeeyah (1092)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
I do actually have an organizer, and I have a list of things to do. The problem is sometimes I get too distracted with other stuff that I fail to follow my schedule and plans. I hate that I always procrastinate and become lazy which makes everything harder. How do you think I can get rid of this bad attitude of mine?
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
29 Mar 12
You have to decide which is more important to you at the moment - education or your budding business.
Frankly, in your shoes I would take the education and bust my bottom getting my degree. Then I would get my business rolling.
Education is a treasure I have been trying to recover for far too many years taking a class at a time. It is something that is so much harder as you get older because your mind does not have the study habits and ability to retain as much as when you are younger and there are so many other worries interferring with your ability to study.
If the business is viable, it will still be when you graduate. Good luck whatever your decision.
@jeeyah (1092)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
I'll keep what you said in mind. Maybe at this point in time and at this age, I should really be focusing on education. Perhaps if I can't totally let the business go, I'll just make sure that most of my time is spent on studying instead of taking care of the business. I just really need to manage my time better. Thank you for your response!
@apoljuice1 (730)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
Well the good thing is that you realize you need some motivation. If you think about it, why don't you keep a list of things you need to do. Put in a list the important things you need to do. Don't overload it with A lot of stuff, just what you think is important.
Start small, and then work your way up. Focus on your goal.
@bhonti (1246)
• Philippines
29 Mar 12
You are correct with your insight. You need time management, and priorities. First, you have priorities. You have to determine what you should really do at this point in time. In my opinion, you are young and still a student, so you should be focusing on your studies. Sure, you can do business on the side, but you must not let it get in the way of your studies. You are studying to be better, and education will help you a lot when you grow up, specially when you will look for a job eventually, or getting more serious with your business. No one wants to deal business with a peron who lacks education and with failer grades right.
@asasikumar05 (318)
•
29 Mar 12
Your progress exactly looks like mine when i was doing my degree. I have done a network marketing business actually. I don't know what kind of business you are doing.
When my business was good, i was normal in my studies. Once i demotivated due to business loss, i stopped going for the college. I didn't attend any placement interviews conducted in our college. Finally, the principal disallowed me to attend the final semester exams. But, my class lecturers talk to the principal that i was so discipline and good in studies. So, the principal given me a grace to attend exams 5 months later (Means next semester with the next batch students).
Just before last week, i got positive results and successfully completed my degree as well. But, i have missed so many offers like an USA job and so many placement opportunities in MLM companies. If i gone for a job, i atleast have some money now to start a good business. Now, i am struggling to start a business since no investments in my hand.
I personally request you to leave the business completely and continue with your career studies, later do business if you feel motivated.
@jeeyah (1092)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
My business is a retail business, I sell fashion items (clothes, shoes, etc). It's really far from my course hahaha.
What's really stopping me from leaving the business is the fact that I've already invested so much time and effort on it. It's already established and sort of "famous" so I'm afraid to let it go. But at the same time I really want to be a successful computer engineer. Maybe I should really just learn how to manage my time better. :(
@cowboyofhell (3063)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
I would say you can decide to 'err on the side of safety'. See the choices you have, whether its bad or good, and pick which one has the least troubling consequences. Sometimes, no matter how correct the choice you take if you lack the will, its not going to work out well in the end so willingness is a factor to your success. Forget how hard it is but imagine the reward if you complete the well thought out plan.
@bachri (108)
• Indonesia
30 Mar 12
for raise your motivation. you must concern about you future first. what your purpose after graduating from college. when you think about that, please be carefully. it will determine what are you in the future.
you must differ between purpose and your passion. your passion is what activity that you enjoy the most when you do that. purpose is what your goal will achieve by your passion.
that quotation i get from book i have read.
so determine what is your passion. you say you love doing business right. yes you can running business. so it is your passion. beside that running business without knowledge will give you nothing so it must balance. i think it can be your purpose and passion at the same time.
business is your passion and knowledge is your way to running your passion as well.
after that you must thinking about your purpose.
follow what your heart tell to you. don't confuse with others say because what you choose is what will happen to your life.
