This Christmas, I had a break from the Sphere of Twitter and visited a long held item on my wish list to watch the Star Wars films, having never seen a frame of them. This short post, takes some of the lessons that Yoda (the green Jedi Master alien) says to others in the films. As Higher Education enters worrying times, maybe the new Universities regulator should watch or re-watch the films or take heed of these lessons as he and this colleagues overseeing the Office of Students.

1. Be in the moment and focus.

“A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away…to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing.” — The Empire Strikes Back

We can all day dream, but you’re missing out if you are not living in the moment.

2. Stop focusing on the negatives.

“Always with you what cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?…You must unlearn what you have learned….Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.” — The Empire Strikes Back

Do it or ditch it, just do it, any other phrases are all ways of saying stop focusing on the negatives and get on with life.

3. Quit trying to predict your fate and make it happen for yourself.

“Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.” — The Empire Strikes Back

Rarely does life go as planned, but learning to assess each situation, figure out your options and take decisive action because remember that…

4. You are in charge of your future.

“The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is.” — Attack of the Clones

Whilst the future may be impossible to see, but most of the time you are choosing between two options, both have pros and cons, but one thing is for sure, only you can truly decide.

5. Don’t be selfish and impulsive.

“Decide you must how to serve them best. If you leave now, help them you could, but you will destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.” — The Empire Strikes Back

Being patient, taking the long route and following through on your actions is the true path to success.

6. Learn to Let Go.

“The fear of loss is a path to the dark side. Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” — Revenge of the Sith

Long before Disney’s Frozen, this lesson was known and practiced in many cultures across the world.

7. Control your negative emotions when making decisions.

“Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path forever will it dominate your destiny.” — Return of the Jedi

The negative emotions are easier, quicker and more seductive, it doesn’t make them the right thing to do.

8. Have Patience

“Patience! Soon you will be with him.” — The Empire Strikes Back

The path to success is a long and difficult one, your persistence and tenacity will stand you in good stead. You will get there.

9. Believe in yourself

“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.” — The Empire Strikes Back

There is energy inside and between us, use this to believe in yourself.

10. Pass on your failures

Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. — The Last Jedi

We think of teaching as sharing successes, but teaching others of your failures helps them to reach their path quicker and makes you feel better, no better charity work is there, as Yoda himself might say.

So, this 2018, as the new year begins, ‘May the Force Be With You’.

Happy New Year!