Mental Health Matters

For some, that means you are one-step closer to walking across that stage to proudly get your diploma! For others, it is another step on your journey here at BCIT as you grow as learners and young adults.

Semester 2 will be filled with some new experiences through new classes and new friendships as well as familiar routines in your shop. It will be filled with excitement and successes, as long as you are invested in your journey.

This news letter is meant to encourage you as you start new for semester 2. Each new 'beginning' in school, and in life, is an opportunity to become the best person we can be. A key factor in whether this happens or not is YOU!

As we know, we can not control everything in our lives. But the one thing we CAN control, always, is our EFFORT. A few tips will be shared here (see below!) to help you hone your daily habits. Our daily habits are the blueprint for success. Success actually comes from focused intentions and the little daily habits we stick to which become our SYSTEM FOR SUCCESS. Therefore, simply focus on the day-to-day routines, NOT the end goal. The end goal will come. Once you start and stick with your system, you will succeed and even surpass your goals. Trust and have hope. Your goals are actually your stepping stones for successes bigger then you can even imagine!

• ESTABLISH ENERGIZING MORNING ROUTINES: The best thing you can do is start your day off on a good note! Your morning routine totally sets the tone for your day so why wouldn’t you want to prioritize it?

• PRIORITIZE AND PLAN DAILY TASKS: You don’t have to go crazy with a complete game plan for the day, but it is important to establish some type of structure for your day to stay on top of your goals.

• MASTER TIME-MANAGEMENT SKILLS: I know this is easier said than done BUT time management is EVERYTHING! The biggest excuse I hear is that people don’t have enough time to make their goals a priority. So you must say NO to whatever takes you away from your daily tasks you prioritized for success.

• SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT: It’s so important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and want the best for you and not just want things from you (including your time). Your circle MUST be made of people who will support you no matter what (even when you say you can't hang out or talk in that moment. FYI a 'green-flag' is someone who understands and supports and respects your boundaries and a 'red-flag' is someone who gives you a hard time about you sticking with them).

• TAKE CONSISTENT, SMALL STEPS: Consistency is key! If you prioritize showing up for yourself and have the strength to continuously hold yourself accountable, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. Sometimes, we’re the ones who stand in our way of being consistent. Shift that internal doubt to positive self talk and you’ll be surprised how much that little voice in your head impacts your consistency. Small steps with daily goals. YOU’VE GOT THIS!

• PRACTICE SELF-CARE REGULARLY: It’s CRUCIAL to take care of ourselves first and foremost. If we don’t, how can we expect ourselves to best take care of anyone or anything else? Finding ways each and every day to care for ourselves and protect our peace is the best thing we can do. Treat yourself with compassion, show yourself some love, and try to do something for yourself every day that puts YOU first and makes YOU happy.

• CULTIVATE A POSITIVE MINDSET: Your internal dialogue and the way you speak to yourself creates the narrative for how we approach each and every day. Wake up and set a sweet intention for yourself that’s positive, uplifting and kind. Write down 2-3 things every day that you are grateful for you and note how practicing gratitude flows into an overall more positive mindset.

• PRACTICE VISUALIZATION/MANIFESTATION: Our only real hurdle in life is self-doubt. Visualize success. Visualize happiness. Also, visualize the speed bumps because they are inevitable, and sometimes unexpected, sometimes traumatic and life changing. However, still visualize success maneuvering through them with grit, grace, and gratitude for the ability to do so! Then keep grinding.

• SET GOALS THAT EXCITE AND SCARE YOU AT THE SAME TIME: Keep some goals achievable and within your control to fuel motivation. But make the big ones lofty because what's the fun in crushing them if they're easy?! Simply staying dedicated to your why and staying focused on the daily pursuit of it will diminish or eliminate any self doubt you may have once had. If you have that inner belief that success is yours, then it will be!