Author says time crucial
by Rita Langston
reporter

   Family, career and debt often control a student’s time, a writer and dental surgeon told students on SE Campus last week.
   Dr. Monica Anderson presented I’m Not Your Superwoman: How to Achieve Balance in Your Life for Women’s History Month.
   “A master is someone who dictates what you do—the question of the day is, who is your master?” she said.
   Anderson cautions students against letting their children, their boss, their spouse, their friends or their MasterCard dictate what they do with their life.
   Anderson said too many obligations weigh students down.
   “Students need to make self-preservation a daily goal, and they should not attempt to be all things to all people,” she said.
   To the TCC students with children, Anderson encouraged them to teach their children to work and manage their own chores.
   “Children are in too many activities,” she said.
   Anderson said if a child can master Madden Football, they can master Washing 101.
   “When we do everything for our children, we set our children and ourselves up for failure,” she said.
   Anderson said a balanced life consists of three things: delegating tasks, visualizing goals and looking at oneself positively.
   “Students should set and achieve goals and then set higher goals,” she said.
Anderson said self-doubt and lack of confidence are not part of the attitude of a successful person.
   “Students get down on themselves when they neglect themselves spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, socially or professionally,” she said.
   Anderson said all of these areas are important for a balanced life.
   Anderson recommended loving oneself, eliminating friends who are emotionally draining, eating right and exercising to relieve stress.
   She encouraged students to keep their minds active for their mental health.
   “If you don’t have a social life, get one,” she said.
   “Do not lose your passion or your enthusiasm,” she said.
   Anderson said students should volunteer and try to do something they enjoy.
   Anderson cited author Charles Swindoll, who believes a person’s attitude is only 10 percent of what actually happens to them and 90 percent of how they react to it.
   Anderson said we make a choice every day regarding our attitude.
   “Some people try to shoot down our aspirations,” she said.
   But she advises students to never give up on their goals.
   Stacey McCollough, TCC student, liked learning about goals that help people achieve success. Kimberly Johnson, another student, said the presentation was encouraging and informative; and La Shele Forsgren said she appreciated the spiritual emphasis.
   Anderson had books for sale after the seminar. She also is a columnist for the Arlington edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a doctor of dental surgery.
   Her presentation is one of three workshops during Women’s History Month sponsored by Women of Science on SE Campus.