Vanya Wryter Consulting Services

Tag: inspiration

  • Are You a Night Owl or an Early Bird?

    Are You a Night Owl or an Early Bird?

    Are you most productive with the sunrise, or are you most creative under the moonlight? Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, both schedules have their perks and challenges. I’ve tried both lifestyles, and I think one is a clear winner.

    The Case for Early Birds

    Early risers often believe in the “early bird catches the worm” philosophy. Starting your day before the world wakes up can provide a distraction-free environment to achieve your goals. Early birds tend to be more proactive and may feel a greater sense of accomplishment. By starting the day early, you’ve checked off many items on your to-do list before people have started their work day. However, waking early also means sleeping early. 

    I’ve woken up early when I used to have an early work schedule. Words can’t describe the feeling of getting a head start on the day when everything around you is still quiet. But as a writer, I admit it doesn’t feel good to sleep just when my mind is most creative.

    The Case for Night Owls

    Night owls, on the other hand, get to tap into their body rhythms and natural alarm clock, waking up later in the morning and avoiding the morning rush. They often hit their peak productivity later in the day or even at night when the world around them is asleep and there are fewer distractions. Inspiration comes when work is done for the day and they feel more relaxed. 

    Clearly night owls have the better schedule. Waking up later in the morning reduces the stress of waking up when it’s still dark outside. It’s more relaxing to write in the evening when the daily routine is done, instead of cramming in a bunch of tasks before the start of the work day. 

    Which Is Better?

    Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “better” choice depends on your goals, responsibilities, and preferences. If you have a job with early hours becoming an early bird might be more practical. Conversely, if your lifestyle allows for flexibility, embracing your night owl tendencies could help you perform at your best.

  • What are some valuable words of wisdom you want to share?

    What are some valuable words of wisdom you want to share?

    What should everyone know? This question is difficult to answer. The first thought that came to mind was financial intelligence. 

    Money can be a source of suffering if you are barely scraping by, stressed about your never-ending bills, and feeling ill because you can’t afford good food. In school, they don’t teach you how to balance your bank account and keep it in the black, how to deal with debt, or how to invest. They just tell you to do well in school and then get a job. If you know how to deal with good debt and bad debt. 

    However, there is something we should know that is more important than financial intelligence, and that’s people skills.

    Knowing how to interact with people is critical. As they say, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. When you’re in school, the right friends can help you with your studies and offer you the social and emotional support you need. When you’re working on your career, building a solid network can get you ahead of other job applicants. 

    If you know people, you can get great recommendations for a mechanic, plumber, or house painter you can trust to get the job done right. A trustworthy financial advisor will give you insights on how to invest your money. 

    If you’re in a jam, friends can help you out on moving day, be a shoulder to cry on on your worst days, or celebrate with you during your happiest moments. 

    It’s hard to find people you can trust, who can be there when you need them. People skills can get you far in life.

    What do you think? Would you agree?

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s something you believe everyone should know.
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  • Would You Love Once or Never Love at All?

    Would You Love Once or Never Love at All?

    My earliest memory of him is when he sat across from me in the cafeteria and asked me about the pictures I was drawing. He asked me questions and wanted to know all about me. And so, I thought, I was in love.

    I saw him in the hallway, where he would smile at me and his beautiful face would light up my day. He would call out my name and ask me how I was, and those were the most wonderful words.

    He was perfect. Everything he did amazed me. I saw him in the mall on the weekend and he wouldn’t stop talking with me. He bought me ice cream. We went for a walk. He asked if I had a boyfriend. 

    Then I saw him with another girl. “I thought you liked me,” I said.

    “We were just friends,” he said.

    So I sat through the next class wondering what I had done wrong. Was it something I had said? Something I had done?

    Months passed. He never talked to me again. But over time, he didn’t look so handsome. His voice wasn’t so beautiful. He stopped walking on air and he came down to earth.

    Ah, love is fleeting. A crush is just a crush.

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    Daily writing prompt
    Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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  • How to Create Adventure in Your Comfort Zone

    How to Create Adventure in Your Comfort Zone

    Each day, we start with the same number of hours, minutes, and seconds to spend how we choose. We have the power to make each day special or different. Some days stand out more than others, like attending a wedding, a birthday, or a graduation. Or they stand out for other reasons, like a funeral, job loss, or extreme illness. 

    Those days are atypical. But if it’s a workday, how can you turn a typical day into a memorable one? You can change the little things, like the screen saver on your computer, eat something different for lunch. You can change the greeting for your coworker from the usual, “Hi, how are you?” to “Hello, how will you make today special?” Your coworker will likely stop and stare.

    It’s easy to say that we had a typical day because we got up at the usual time, did our usual morning routine, went to work, and then had the usual commute back home before having a bland dinner. Five days a week can pass like that and it’s okay to enjoy the comfort of a drama-free routine.

    But when you think about it, five days a week, fifty somewhat weeks in a year (depending on how many weeks you work) is a huge chunk of your life that’s typical or routine. You don’t have to live it that way. 

    I challenge you to try something different to change your daily routine and keep it fresh. Your mind will notice the details when you slightly change your route to work, or check out a new place for lunch. 

    You’re also setting new goals for yourself. You might learn something new if you pause to talk with someone you’ve never spoken to before—a neighbor, a coworker, or the cashier at the coffee shop. 

    Tomorrow, ask yourself, “Was today typical?” or did you change things up just a little bit?

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    Daily writing prompt
    Was today typical?
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  • The Best Teachers: Who Are They?

    The Best Teachers: Who Are They?

    Daily writing prompt
    What makes a teacher great?
    View all responses

    A perfect teacher does not exist. Teachers are people and people aren’t perfect. Children remember moments like the first time they saw their teacher walking into the staff bathroom and they realize that teachers are human, just like them.

    Teachers can be great humans. That one teacher, for example, who made a difference in your life and inspired you to make a life-changing decision. 

    Teachers are role models. Teachers at elementary schools aren’t supposed to swear, for example. I’ve heard them swear in the staff room, where they can be adults like you and me.

    Teachers are adults who have the important role of shaping lives. They teach us facts, like mathematical calculations and important historical dates. But more importantly, they teach us critical thinking so we can question those facts and separate opinions from theories.

    Teachers who inspire us to learn information, then question it, and develop something from it are the true heroes. Scientists start off as students who become inventors who create something to improve people’s lives. Writers start off as students and then write stories that make us laugh or cry. Somewhere in life, physicians, first responders, lawyers, designers, engineers, farmers, etc, all started learning from a teacher.

    Teachers do more than teach. They teach us to teach ourselves and become lifelong learners. Teachers can be parents, siblings, friends, mentors, coworkers, bosses, complete strangers — anyone who provides us with life lessons that can make us better people.

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