Since the great reawakening, people are rushing to get back to full speed – sometimes at intersections or cutting folks off on the freeways and turnpikes.

That’s not the only thing we’re blowing through.

Increasing anxiety by not savoring our return to freedom by living in an accelerated state.

Some students don’t want to return to in person classes so they can watch the lectures at 2x or 3x the speed – skip the boring parts and hurry up and learn.

It’s not how much or how fast, it’s about now.

Students grade their professors anonymously at the end of each semester at NYU so I thought you’d like to see the comment I received on digital device usage in class.

• I really liked how the professor limited our technology use in class, although it was hard to get used to at first it was actually very good in helping us cope with overuse of technology and giving us all some “me” time.

Some “me” time, exactly!

The next time you are back in the presence of those you love and who love you, pretend that you haven’t seen them for a couple of weeks – then walk in and watch the reaction.

When you finish work and your kids return from school, greet them as if they’ve been away longer than a few hours and watch the magic of their response.

Capture the joy of reuniting with loved ones by treating them as if you’ve been apart.

Postponing joy can be terminal – agonize over the bad stuff, put off the good stuff.

And we all do it.

Some of my NYU colleagues and I have been working hard on putting together new courses that must then go through a long process of approval but the department head reminded us once the courses were approved to take some time and enjoy it.

I was already to go back to work on lesson plans but that reminder meant a lot.

Life is tough but when things go your way, don’t postpone the joy it brings.

It’s not Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or even TikTok, the current social media phenomenon.

It has nothing to do with anything you might say or do.

If you want people to be drawn to you, become a better listener.

It’s not taught in schools because only you can teach it to yourself.

Listen, question and summarize what you are hearing.

Ironically, it’s the listener not the talker who people like.

Stop and ask yourself where the most successful people in the world would have been if they stopped one step short of success.

Before you give up ask yourself this one question – how badly do I want it?

There you will find your motivation to proceed.

I am only needy when I choose to rely on someone else instead of first believing in myself.

Here are some in the arsenal of positivity quotes I focus on when I need an extra boost of confidence:

• I earned the right to do it.
• I didn’t get to where I am today without working hard for it.
• I’m authentic and I’m going to prove it.
• I’ve done it before and I can do it again.
• I believe (Self-doubt kills more dreams than failure).
• If I’m worried about how I may look, I’ll add a smile as the finishing touch.
• Butterflies are normal, I’m not going to get rid of them, I’m going to get those butterflies to fly in formation.

• Do you notice how often people say the word “right” today when explaining themselves or trying to convince you of something – “It’s the biggest problem of our time, right?”
• No is the most valuable word in the dictionary because it gives us the courage it takes to say yes when we really mean it.

• Often parents feel badly about not spending enough quality time with the kids so they increase the amount and not the quality and by quality, I mean person-to-person connection.
• The amount of time you spend with people you really care about is irrelevant. It’s the time spent being present and 100% focused on them without distraction that matters most.