Following each segment of my interview series, I'll be reflecting on the words of advice from my distinguished interviewees. My goal is to figure out what the future holds for me, so I'm hoping to gain some direction from these fabulous role models.
3 Highlights from Catherine's Interview
1. As the world becomes more global, understanding diverse cultures and empathizing with other people's experiences is evermore invaluable.
I love the way that Catherine summed up the importance of striving for understanding of backgrounds different from our own. Individuals need not be from another country to have had a different upbringing and set of experiences, and therefore a different way of looking at the world. There is nothing more detrimental to teamwork than failure to empathize with those one is working with. A great way to purposefully experience other cultures is traveling to new places and attempting to see the world through the lens of a native. The most significant part of my two study abroad experiences to Granada and Pamplona Spain was the opportunity to live with a host family. Right off the bat I was forced to communicate in Spanish, and I learned more about Spanish culture from experiencing it than would ever be possible to gain from a text book. I asked for travel tips from natives, ate in restaurants recommended by the locals, and minimized interaction with other students from the United States. Though communication was at times a struggle, and new surroundings were often initially uncomfortable, I will treasure my experiences more because I broke free from the tourist zone.
2. Build up areas that you are naturally talented in.
Catherine spoke about her experiences with Strengths Based Leadership using the Clifton StrengthsFinder. I was privileged to learn about this program from Miss Bigbee, and have found it to be extremely useful in developing my leadership and career skills.
For those of you who have not had the Strengthsquest experience, I would advise you to visit the website or any major book store and purchase the program. It will be the best $15-$20 you have spent this month, and will offer you endless insight and personal development. StrengthsFinder is an online questionnaire that takes about 30 minutes. Responses are evaluated, and the program determines the top 5 themes of talent the user possesses.
Before knowing my top 5 Strengthsquest themes, it was often extremely easy to agonize over areas in which I am not naturally strong instead of focusing on taking on experiences which enhance my natural talents. I will reveal my top 5 strengths and how they are applicable in my life in a future post.
3. "Cast your net" wide and seek jobs which you will have a passion for.
I developed two personal goals after hearing this piece of advice:
1. Apply for an average of 10 jobs per week (2 per weekday) until I have obtained a job.
2. Because I am in the early stages of my job search, I will set the bar high as I choose positions to apply for. Inevitably, I will have more passion for a job I am challenged and fulfilled by, so I will continue to seek jobs with those attractive qualities.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Today, I'll Stop Pressing The Snooze Button on Life
My diploma says I have degrees in Biology and Spanish, but truth be told the category in which I developed most at SDSU is skill in procrastination. I really mastered procrastination, in fact, I have a self-proclaimed doctorate in the field.
One incident of procastinatory behavior is especially clear in my memory. The episode occurred during the Spring semester of my Junior year. It was 10:00 p.m. on the evening before my first Physiology exam. I was headed upstairs in the Student Union after attending a concert put on by the University Program Council (UPC) that I served on. I ran into thee or four Physiology classmates leaving the Union, and we exchanged casual conversation. They asked me how studying for the exam was going, and I lied that it was going pretty well. When I returned the question, they answered that they had finally finished after a week straight of group study sessions. I smiled and said with fake enthusiasm, “Well, I’m sure it will go really well for you,” and then began to panic. Once I was safely inside the UPC office, I couldn’t think of anything to do but laugh. I grabbed my notes, opened to page one, and began cramming information. By test time, 6:45 a.m., I had finally made it through the slides – one time.
After such a stressful situation, you’d think I would have learned, but that wasn’t my first all-nighter, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. I even started my days procrastinating, because lack of sleep had made it seem virtually impossible to get up without pressing the snooze button at least four times. Comedian Jim Gaffigan shares his thoughts on waking up in the sketch below:
Jim Gaffigan, "Waking Up"
“How many plans has the snooze bar destroyed?” He asks. I can relate. Every time I press snooze, one more morning task gets canceled. Snooze 1: I’ll shower later. Snooze 2: I don’t need breakfast today. Snooze 3: I went to that class once a couple weeks ago, I’m probably pretty caught up. Why do I procrastinate? Because I can. Because I want to fit everything in, and because so far it has worked for me. I always get the task done, and often times I convince myself it’s done better under pressure.
But let’s face it, procrastination isn’t necessarily a healthy lifestyle, so starting today I’ll stop pushing the envelope. Now, I don’t think it would be realistic to eliminate the snooze button all together, those extra 10 minutes are just too glorious, but I’m limiting myself to two snoozes. That might seem small to you, but it will be a major improvement for me. Also, no more pushing the limit on travel time. I know perfectly well that it is impossible to drive across town in less than 10 minutes, but I often convince myself that somehow I’ll be able to drive faster this time, and without fail I’m two minutes late. Starting today I’ll make a conscious effort to start tasks earlier. Starting today, I’ll stop pressing the snooze button on life.
One incident of procastinatory behavior is especially clear in my memory. The episode occurred during the Spring semester of my Junior year. It was 10:00 p.m. on the evening before my first Physiology exam. I was headed upstairs in the Student Union after attending a concert put on by the University Program Council (UPC) that I served on. I ran into thee or four Physiology classmates leaving the Union, and we exchanged casual conversation. They asked me how studying for the exam was going, and I lied that it was going pretty well. When I returned the question, they answered that they had finally finished after a week straight of group study sessions. I smiled and said with fake enthusiasm, “Well, I’m sure it will go really well for you,” and then began to panic. Once I was safely inside the UPC office, I couldn’t think of anything to do but laugh. I grabbed my notes, opened to page one, and began cramming information. By test time, 6:45 a.m., I had finally made it through the slides – one time.
After such a stressful situation, you’d think I would have learned, but that wasn’t my first all-nighter, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. I even started my days procrastinating, because lack of sleep had made it seem virtually impossible to get up without pressing the snooze button at least four times. Comedian Jim Gaffigan shares his thoughts on waking up in the sketch below:
Jim Gaffigan, "Waking Up"
“How many plans has the snooze bar destroyed?” He asks. I can relate. Every time I press snooze, one more morning task gets canceled. Snooze 1: I’ll shower later. Snooze 2: I don’t need breakfast today. Snooze 3: I went to that class once a couple weeks ago, I’m probably pretty caught up. Why do I procrastinate? Because I can. Because I want to fit everything in, and because so far it has worked for me. I always get the task done, and often times I convince myself it’s done better under pressure.
But let’s face it, procrastination isn’t necessarily a healthy lifestyle, so starting today I’ll stop pushing the envelope. Now, I don’t think it would be realistic to eliminate the snooze button all together, those extra 10 minutes are just too glorious, but I’m limiting myself to two snoozes. That might seem small to you, but it will be a major improvement for me. Also, no more pushing the limit on travel time. I know perfectly well that it is impossible to drive across town in less than 10 minutes, but I often convince myself that somehow I’ll be able to drive faster this time, and without fail I’m two minutes late. Starting today I’ll make a conscious effort to start tasks earlier. Starting today, I’ll stop pressing the snooze button on life.
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