New study backs up College Motivator #49: Distraction from Learning is the Key to Learning

College Motivator #49: 
Distraction from Learning is the 
Key to Learning


To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break

By PHYLLIS KORKKI

Published: June 16, 2012

The New York Times

A growing body of evidence shows that taking regular breaks from mental tasks improves productivity and creativity — and that skipping breaks can lead to stress and exhaustion. ...

Employees generally need to detach from their work and their work space to recharge their internal resources, he says. Options include walking, reading a book in another room or taking the all-important lunch break, which provides both nutritional and cognitive recharging.

Continue reading in The New York Times:

To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break

Article: GSU professor writes motivational book

GSU professor's book helps transition to college

Intended for students, parents, counselors

The book is not just for high school graduates.  It's for parents to see the pressures that are put on college students and high school guidance counselors to assist students.

The Johns Creek Herald
June 14, 2012

Johns Creek resident and Georgia State University professor Perry Binder has released a book intended to help college students.

"I've been teaching for a long time and probably the biggest transition that I see is when high school graduates go into college," said Binder, an assistant professor of legal studies at GSU's Robinson College of Business and author of "99 Motivators for College Success."

He said the skills one learns in college are different from those one learns in high school. College tests critical thinking skills, while most high schools focus on memorization.

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GSU professor writes motivational book

Professionalism and Humor for Paralegals

Join us during Paralegal Week in Georgia:
Wednesday, June 13th, 12:00 - 1:30
Lunch and Learn: Professionalism and Humor, by Perry Binder, J.D. – no charge
Sponsored and hosted by: Esquire Solutions
PARALEGAL REGISTRATION: complete online form

Location
Esquire Deposition Solutions
2700 Centennial Tower
101 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA  30303

Topics include:

Do we need an Attorney to Paralegal “Bill of Professionalism Rights”?

  1.   L. isten to your Paralegals

 2.    I. nspire and challenge them with interesting work

 3.    G. ive hope to everyone in the firm

 4.    H. eap compliments on Paralegals for quality work

 5.    T. each to your strengths as an attorney

6.     B. e patient with your Paralegal

 7.    U. nderstand that new Paralegals lack your knowledge of the law

 8.    L. earn from your Paralegals

 9.    B. e willing to walk in your Paralegal’s shoes

10.   S. ee to it that your Paralegal’s professional aspirations are a law firm priority

Adapted from Perry’s L. I. G. H. T.  B. U. L. B. Moment for Attorneys working with Paralegals

College Motivator #99 - Studying Abroad is a Life Changing Experience!

COLLEGE LIFE MOTIVATOR #99

If possible, study abroad for a summer or semester.  You’ll learn more about life and yourself than you will at your home institution.

GSU Law class, May 7-31, 2012

Piazza della Repubblica, Florence Italy

I had the privilege of teaching Introduction to Law and bringing 19 Georgia State University undergraduate students to Florence to CEA's classrooms.

Topics included:

I.    The U.S. and Italian Court Systems

II.  Criminal Justice Issues in the U.S. and Italian Courts

III. Business Law Issues in Italy and the U.S., including Social Media and Privacy in the Workplace, Intellectual Property, and Domain Name Disputes

IV.  Civil Justice Issues in Italy and the U.S.

Random quotes from students on what they learned about themselves:

- Witnessing the possibility of everything life has to offer

- Being around such great, successful and motivating peers taught me a lot about myself - They pushed me and showed me that I can be better

- My exposure to the courthouses and guest speakers and trip to Italy has expanded my horizon

- The determination to never settle for the bare minimum has become a part of me

- Determination can outweigh fatigue and fear - struggling to do what you know you are capable of is one of the most rewarding experiences I could partake in

- The people we met had a great impact on me; I want to do something international - this experience has given a new path for me

- While in Italy, I became more familiar with the intellectual property side of the law - I could put my passion for fashion and litigation to use

- I have learned that I am blessed to be where I am in my life right now

For photos and schedule of class trips/speakers:
http://perrybinder.blogspot.com/

College Classroom Motivator #41: Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

COLLEGE CLASSROOM MOTIVATOR

#41

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.  “Book smarts” is only one measure, but you still need to strive for good grades.  The best way to figure out how to study is to attend class and observe what topics are important to professors.  Those subjects usually wind up on their exams.

QUICK STORY FROM THE CLASSROOM

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

As I sat in class during the first year of law school, I was confused at times when others raised their hands and offered wild legal theories.  What I discovered after the fact is that classroom discussion leaders do not always perform as well on exams as the shy, silent student who doesn’t utter a peep all semester.

Regardless, I don’t equate good grades with intelligence.  One psychologist, Robert Sternberg, identifies three types of intelligence in his Triarchic Model:

• Componential Intelligence – analytic, academic abilities to solve problems

• Experiential Intelligence – creativity and insight, the ability to invent, discover, and theorize

• Practical Intelligence – street smarts, ability to adapt to the environment

I once wrote a letter of recommendation for a student who received a “C” in my course because after many discussions outside of class, I recognized that he had the practical intelligence to succeed in his chosen profession.

This story is the basis for Motivator #41

Copyright 2012 99 Motivators for College Success

Career Motivators: Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love. Including...

... Yourself.

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#10

Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.  Translation: Take care of others but don’t forget to take care of yourself, sometimes before others.  Listen to our airline flight attendants: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others with their masks.”

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Do what you love but don’t jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.

Recognize and assess the risks in every major decision you make, and how they affect those around you.

When I left the full-time practice of law to teach, I was single and had no children.   Would I have made such a career transition if I had a spouse and two kids at the time?  I’d like to think so because in the end, career satisfaction is one key to personal fulfillment.  Some opportunities are rare and don’t come around often.  The difficult part is learning whether to jump at or pass on an adventure when your responsibilities require the support of those around you, and dictate a closer look at the risk and reward.

This story is the basis for Motivator #10

99 Motivators for College Success book (2012)

College Motivator #12: Figure out if you are a “structure” person or...

 ...someone who can self-motivate at any given time.

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#12

Figure out if you want predictable structured working hours, or if you are motivated to work until the job gets done.  Also, figure out whether you are willing to work during hours when most people play.  (such as a real estate agent or someone in the hospitality field)

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Figure out if you are a “structure” person or someone who can self-motivate at any given time.

Years ago, I briefly did freelance work full-time and found it difficult to motivate myself day in and day out.  In that environment, you have to create a regimen and stick to it with discipline. 

I like some structure in my daily routine, but not too much.  Classes bring that framework

to my work life.  For me, just knowing that I need to be at a certain place on time brings me certainty, clarity, and anticipation.

This story is the basis for Motivator #12

99 Motivators for College Success

College Motivator #73: Live Life with No Regrets, but...

COLLEGE LIFE MOTIVATOR

#73

Live life with no regrets but understand the consequences of your decisions.  Your professors should understand that you need to miss class to attend a job interview.  However, you will still be responsible for getting class notes and making up any required work.

QUICK STORIES FOR COLLEGE LIFE

Know the consequences of no regrets.

I had a student who said there was a “pie in the sky” casting call for some production, but it meant getting in line and waiting for hours at a downtown hotel.  And missing my class.

I simply told her that she could go, but was responsible for getting class notes from a fellow student.  I believe in going after opportunities, even when it means sometimes doing the irresponsible thing, like telling a professor that you need to ditch class for a pipe dream of a chance at something big.

I learned that lesson as a law student, when I was clerking at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  A movie was being filmed downtown starring Robert Redford, and they needed extras to fill up an old minor league baseball stadium.  Instead of playing on green grass, I did the responsible thing by going to work that day.

Years later, every time I see The Natural, I say to myself: “If only I called in sick that day.”  Thankfully, this is a minor regret.  It serves as a lesson to me about risk taking and understanding the consequences.  Be a risk taker in your college life, but know where to draw the foul line.

99 Motivators for College Success in Patch

Book Gives Tips for College Success

Johns Creek resident and GSU professor Perry Binder says he wants to see students succeed, and that's why he's written a second book. 

"The jump from high school to college is a huge adjustment, and that's where my book comes in," he says. "99 Motivators for College Success gives bite-sized tips and quotes on how to succeed in the college classroom, in picking a major, and in adjusting to college life. The book also offers guidance on how to study for multiple choice exams and write model essay exam answers"

Binder adds, "It is also for the parents of students to better understand what’s expected of children in college, and the pressures they face from professors, peers, and family members." 

Continue reading at:  
http://johnscreek.patch.com/articles/book-gives-tips-for-college-success

Never crush anyone’s career dreams (Excerpt, 99 Motivators for College Success)

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#4

Don’t let anyone crush your dreams.  However, the riskier your dream, the better your backup plan must be.

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Never crush anyone’s dreams.

When I was a little kid, I dreamed about playing professional basketball.  In third grade, we had to write an essay on what we wanted to be when we grew up.  I wrote that I wanted to be 6’10” and play in Madison Square Garden.  When the teacher handed back my paper, she laughed out loud and said: “You can’t do that!”

That was the first time someone had crushed my professional dream.  The teacher may have been right about the 6’10” part, but this molder of young minds lacked the understanding of what negative reinforcement can do to little kids.  She also lacked the understanding that height isn’t everything for a basketball player.  Teachers, especially in the impressionable K-12 years, are my personal heroes.  Yet they need to be dream builders, not dream destroyers.  It’s healthy to discuss rational backup career plans, but why spoil youthful exuberance which could flower into the unexpected?

            Postscript:  When I was 25 years old, I got to play one-on-one with 7’4” center Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz, that year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year.  I’ll leave the game results to your active imagination.

This story is the basis for Motivator #4

99 Motivators™ for College Success

© 2012 Perry Binder, LLC

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