What's a Block Meal?

What's a block meal?

Well, by now, you probably know what a block meal is... hopefully. If not, hey that's fine because you are in for today's lesson. Yay - more learning.

There are many, many different block meals available on campus. Obviously. Tell me something I don't know.

We think the girl from Apple's commercials meant to say, "What's a Block Meal?"

From creating your own omelette to stir-fry to customizing your own tacos! What you TACO bout'? The block meal options on upper campus and lower campus are endless... kinda :)

For a complete list of block meals, check out this link: https://www.uwec.edu/Dining/mealplans/upload/2017-18-9.pdf

"But I've already tried all the block meals..."

First of all, that is very impressive. Second of all, hold on just a minute. This semester we implemented new block meals at Erbs & Gerbs. Instead of the classic three sandwich options, you now have the ability to make any of the specialty sandwiches a block meal.

Don't forget your chips and drink!

If you don't know about the new block meals at Tres Habaneros, consider this your warning to check it out :)

We just wanted to give you a quick update on what has changed this semester in the Block Meal World at UW-Eau Claire.

This is the day. The day you choose to try a new block meal. The world is yours. The food is yours. What are you going to do about it?

#MotivationWednesday?

OK - but on a serious note, let us know what you think of the new block meals. We're always listening for any changes we may make to make your dining experience the best!

Have a super semester, Blugolds!

Who's Ready to go Clubbin'?

Tomorrow is the day! Blugold Diner’s Club BONUS DAY.

OK, you’ve heard about this “Bonus Day” for a while now, but what is it really all about? And what the heck is Diner’s Club?

Here’s a summary of what some are saying is the “best meal plan since the beginning of time:”

• 10 percent discount at The Dulany Inn at Davies Center and Riverview Cafe at the Hilltop Center
• Weekly coupons for purchases at all campus dining locations
• Two bonus days per semester (Feb. 6, 2018 and March 13, 2018) to receive a 10 percent bonus on funds deposited, with a minimum deposit of $100
• Valid for purchases at any campus dining locations

      Unused Blugold Diner’s Club dollars don't expire until your relationship with UWEC ends. Deposits  and transactions are managed by Blugold Card Services, located on the first floor of Davies Center, next to U.S. Bank. A Blugold Card is required for Blugold Diner’s Club membership.

Now, we’re not saying being a part of this “CLUB” is something you can put on your resume as an extra-curricular activity or involvement in campus club, but you can tell your interviewer how much you love Blugold Dining ;)

We’re kidding.

I think. Maybe.

So, now that you understand what this club is all about. What about the BIG DAY tomorrow?

Blugold Diner’s Club BONUS DAY.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Bonus funds are awarded on a Blugold Dining gift card. On bonus days, Blugold Dining will have a table set up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Blugold Card Services office for Blugold Diner’s Club members to pick up their gift cards. If you can’t pick up your gift card on the bonus day, your gift card must be picked up at the Blugold Dining office on the second floor of Davies Center within seven days. To receive your gift card, please provide any of the following:

•          A deposit receipt from Blugold Card Services
•         A receipt from the value transfer station
•         A printed copy of an emailed receipt for an online deposit, showing your name, the deposit amount and the date

What do you say? Are you looking to join a club? Well, this just might be the chance you’ve been waiting for!

See you tomorrow! :)

Why Momentum Matters

Motivation. Momentum. M&M's. Mattison.

It's quite obvious the best words in the dictionary start with the letter "M." If my roommate Mitch is reading this, you are the one exception ;)

Momentum is seen as a prevalent concept in sports. I like to think of business like sports. As a matter of fact, you could make the case that life and sports have many commonalities. Before we go any further, let's take a look at how momentum is seen within the sports world.

MOMENTUM = ACTION

Here's How:

• First, momentum shifts begin with a "precursor event", like an interception in football or slam dunk in basketball.

• Next, this "event" leads to "changes in cognition, physiology, and affect." Depending on the athlete, his or her confidence level will determine how strongly he/she reacts to the event.

• Third, a "change in behavior" would come from all of these internal perceptions. If you were watching the game/match/fight, you would be able to see changes in the style of play from the players as a result from the momentum created. This could be body language, oral communication, etc.

• After the behavior changes is a "change in performance." Without the precipitating event, there would not be noticeable momentum shifts.

• Finally, at the end of the chain, there should be an immediate outcome change.

Momentum creates action. I'm no physics expert (ask anyone in my Intro to Physics class from Freshman year). Momentum creates ACTION in the science world, sports world and in your mental state.

So, how can you use this sports-minded example of momentum if you aren't anything close to an athlete?

EASY!

If you ever feel like you have been lying around all day and haven't accomplished anything, there is one simple way to complete change your mindset:

DO SOMETHING. DO ANYTHING.

Get up. Go for a quick walk around the block. Do 10 push-ups. Start some laundry. Just do something. Be creative. Get the ball rolling.

If it feels as if you are so far away from a goal you have or have so much to do, start small and use the momentum to create continuous action. Once you start moving, there's no one stopping you.

Start the momentum.

Efficiency Experiment: The Results

If you read my last blog post (you better have), you know I tried to be as efficient as possible a week and a half ago.

No distractions. No wasting time. No pointless actions.

"Match your actions with your ambitions"

So, how did I do? Did I work for 16 hours straight without any breaks? 

Well, here are the "results."

I mean this when I say this: I stayed focused on the task on hand without distractions or aimlessly looking at my phone for the entire day besides these two instances (Netflix and Social Media)

I didn't count the time I took to workout and eat because I figured these parts of my life are essential in order to stay healthy.

Sorry not sorry.

Was there any point of doing this for ONE DAY? What's the whole idea of being extra focused for one day and then going back to my "old ways?"

I consider myself someone who is focused and with the ability to regroup after being distracted. There were times when I wanted to just "chill," sit back and check Instagram. There were times I wanted to watch another Stranger Things.

Of course, it's healthy to take breaks and give yourself a mental break for clarity. However, whenever I sit down with the intention to complete a task, I make a conscious effort to complete it after I start it.

Finish what you started, man.

Here's how I do it:

• Set a timer.
• One hour.
• After that hour is complete, take a 10 minute break.
• Then get right back to it.

It becomes a game. You against the clock. Who's going to win? You have plenty of time EVERY DAY to complete the majority of things you want to do.

It all comes down to how you're spending your time.

How are you spending your time when you're awake? 

I'm not going to take notes every time I "slip up" or get distracted. However, I am going to have the quote "Match your actions with your ambitions" in the back of my head whenever I set out to do something. Big or small.

Give it a try and let me know if you have any other ways to consistently stay focused.

The Efficiency Experiment

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut?

Maybe you had some positive momentum going and then it just stopped. You feel stagnant and without inspiration or motivation to keep moving forward.

This happens to the best of us. But what can we do to rid this mindset and keep moving?

In Grant Cardone's book, Sell or Be Sold, he talks about how he stays on track.

Making the most out of every day/hour/minute is what keeps him energized. Once extremely distracted, he has a routine set in place that allows him to be focused 24/7.

I've taken this to heart when taking a glance at my every day actions.

Am I really putting all my effort towards my goals? Do my actions match my ambitions?

If you live your life and have the mindset of maximizing every opportunity, there will be much less friction and feeling of being "stuck."

The phrase, "Match your actions with your ambition,"is so powerful when considering if you are being productive. How many minutes....hours do you spend scrolling through Facebook? Are you checking your email every 20 minutes? Whatever it is, we all have it.

TODAY - I am going to challenge myself to be as productive as possible. Every time I find myself off track or doing something mindless that doesn't benefit my goals, I will write it down.

I challenge YOU to try this for at least one day. I've never tried something like this before, so I will be sure to share my results with you.

Good luck!

P.S. - If you're reading this, it's likely you've already slipped up and are already distracted ;)