ASSIGNMENT #13: REFLECTING ON LEADERSHIP FOR CHANGE

Exercise #2: The Sound-bite & Exercise #3: Personal Reflection

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The most important thing I have learned this semester is the importance of asking for what you want out of life as opposed to accepting whatever comes your way. For the first time in my life I understand why I have failed so many times in my professions. I used to think that things did not work out at work because I had bad luck. It never occurred to me that things did not work out because they were not supposed to work out! After reading my blog the discovery of my new found freedom came to life. I call it freedom because anytime you discover something that brings you closer to becoming your true self will liberate you from all the falsehoods that have held you back. I find that for the most part falsehoods have dominated my life. I have listened to the outer voices that told me that I must do as others do in order to fit in or become part of the group while all the time the inner voices spoke quietly in the background warning me of the truth. The truth that said, “You are different and its ok” or “You know you don’t belong here doing this job,” or “When are you going to start being who you really are?” While taking this class I have listened more to those inner voices that move me towards discovering my touch stones leading me to my true place in life.

Reading Barbara Sher and Bell Hooks have enlightened my understanding of the term vocation. A vocation should not be something you do to survive or fit in with others, a real vocation requires identifying your touch stone and using it to get what you need to be fulfilled at work. As I reflect upon my work life, I am almost glad for all the failures I have experienced. One thing is clear. I am a very determined person whose determination is illustrated in every failure I experienced when choosing a vocation. I simply refused to listen to my touch stone and concentrated on trying to fit in by taking what ever job came my way. However, after taking Leadership for Change class, I can imagine using my determination to take me exactly where I want to be.

With my new found freedom comes a new confidence that has changed the way I view choosing a vocation. I have learned that becoming successful is a process that is not very complicated. In fact, identifying your touch stones, planning your road to success and taking actions towards your goals is a very practical approach to going after and getting exactly what you want out of life. This semester is the first time in my life that I have created a planning wall. Creating the planning wall was the most important task in the class because it allows you to see your desires as real possibilities and to think about your dreams in practical terms. The planning wall also allows you to act upon moving towards your dream in real time. I will continue to use my planning wall well after the class ends in order to stay on top of accomplishing my goals.

Leadership for Change Class:

The class was very engaging, informative, and down right fun. My favorite part of the class was interacting with my team as well as the entire class. As the class learned about choosing a vocation through self discovery, we looked to each other for assistance and support through brainstorming and barn-raising. I like the fact that everyone was engaged in these activities. The assigned reading was very informative. I learned a lot from all four authors and enjoyed being quizzed on what we learned each week. The atmosphere of the class was friendly, free, and honest making the class a fun place to be; not to mention our professor whose guidance was essential to our success in the class.

There is nothing I disliked about the class. I would suggest that next semester the class get an opportunity to meet a guest speaker whose leadership or vocation reflects taking specific actions to achieve success as described in the reading. The instructor may also consider taking a field trip with the class (maybe to a seminar) and watching more movies with the class. Overall I loved the class and wish I could take it again!

Good-bye and Best Wishes to Everyone......

Assignment #11 - The Buddy System

Exercise #1

My next steps:

1) Meet with advisor at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences:

David Schaafsma, Director of the English Department referred me to Kathleen Kruhl to advice me on class selection for next semester. I have an appointment with her for next week.

2) Go on a job interview:

I never heard back from the employer who was to reschedule my interview. I contacted her a few times and left messages.

3) Register for spring classes:

I will register for classes after meeting with Kathleen Kruhl on Monday.

4) Ask about acquiring a T.A. position.

I approached my Entrepreneur professor about a T.A. position with her class. She stated that she was flattered that I would ask and would look into it and get back with me.

Exercise #2

The Buddy System

Step One: Looking Back.

I reviewed the actions I took during the previous week to accomplish my weekly goals with my buddy Caryn. With the exception of not getting a job interview, everything went very well. I also informed Caryn that the Honors College contacted me via-email to invite me to apply to the program.

Step two: Flow Chart and Goal Calendar Update.

According to my planning wall I am only a few days late on accomplishing my goals. There are no unseen problems affecting my progress. I have adjusted my target dates to correspond with next week’s agenda.

Step Three: List of First Steps.

I have updated my list to include applying for the Honors College by tomorrow and there is no need to cross out any steps.

Step Four: Problems.

The only problem I encountered last week is not going on a job interview. I am not discouraged and will seek other opportunities.

a) Hard Times

I did not attend class last week due to a problem with my hand. Since my last blog, my hand has greatly improved. I really think the pain I was experiencing was stress related. My buddy Caryn and I met on Monday at BSB at 9:30 in the morning. Caryn was kind enough to meet with me on short notice while she was between classes. We started our meeting by discussing hard times. I vented about my hand hurting, my lack of money, how much work I had to complete for finals and whatever else I could think of. She listened for several minutes without interrupting me. I really appreciated her listening to my problems because it helped to relieve the stress I was experiencing. I asked her if she was having personal problems as well. Caryn shared with me that she is also stressed, primarily about completing her final exams. Our hard times session was quite productive and at the end of our meeting we were both laughing and having fun together.

b) Brainstorming – and Barn-Raising

I shared with Caryn that completing the semester with good grades is one of the goals I have set for this year. I told that I am feeling stressed about completing a final project in my entrepreneur class. After our session I decided to contact a class member to assist me with my project. I called the classmate and she agreed to help.

Step Five: Next Week’s Plan.

a) Weekly Calendar

1) Tomorrow I will meet with the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at 9:30 a.m.
2) Apply to the Honor College at 8:30 a.m.
3) Complete class projects at 1:00 p.m.

My weekly calendar has been updated and transferred to my pocket calendar.

Step Six: Evening.

Journal:
Today I accomplish a lot in the way of class work. I feel tired but satisfied. I am also feeling more hopeful about my future as time passes.

List of Fist Steps:
The only new step I have added is applying to the Honors College.

Rewards:
I took a hot bath and drank pineapple juice.

Dreaming:
When I go to bed tonight I will imagine that my financial problems have been solved. I will look forward to accomplishing my future goals.

ASSIGNMENT #10: MOVING AND SHAKING

Exercise #1: First Steps:

Last week I visited the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences to acquire information about the PhD Program at UIC. After meeting with the Program Coordinator, my next step was to contact the Director of the English Department for advice on selecting classes for next semester. This week I contacted Associate Professor and Director of the English Department, David Schaafsma. I gave him a call and left a message on his voicemail. I followed up with an e-mail requesting that we meet to discuss my class schedule for next semester. I am waiting to hear back from Mr. Schaafsma.

Going on a job interview was my next step to complete. Last week the manager of the company I applied to said the interview would be rescheduled. I am still waiting to hear back from the manager.

Exercise #2: Reflecting on Fear

I already feel much resistance about meeting with Mr. Schaafsma to discuss my class schedule. I am afraid that he may be too busy to give me any personal time. I am thinking that he may refer me to someone else. If that happens, I won’t be disappointed. I will simply go with it and get as much assistance as I can. As far as getting a job is concerned, I am very afraid that the manager will not contact me to reschedule the interview. Companies are experiencing hard times right now and maybe the manager has changed her mind about hiring someone.

My fears are manifesting in a physical way. Suddenly for no reason I can think of, my left hand feels as though a sofa has fallen on it. My entire body feels tired and useless. I feel that the fear I am experiencing is definitely survival fear. I am afraid that I won’t succeed in accomplishing my goals due to a series of financial set backs. There are some underlying messages in my physical manifestation of fear. One of the messages being the thought that nothing will ever really change and my financial situation will worsen.

In hard times all I know to do is try to concentrate on my class work. Going to class and doing the work seems to minimize my anxiety.

I look forward to seeing my classmates on Monday.

ASSIGNMENT #9: Get Into Action

My next steps I have completed:

1) Go on a job interview

Unfortunately I did not go on a job interview last week as planned. The interview was postponed by the manager. Although I was disappointed, the manager will call me to reschedule.

2) Obtain information about Masters/PhD Program at UIC

On Wednesday, I visited the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences to obtain information about the Masters/PhD Program in English at UIC. I met with Neil O’Callaghan, Program Coordinator for the English Department. I had a very engaging talk with Mr. O’Callaghan about the PhD Program. He stated that UIC does not have a combination Masters/PhD Program for most students. What they do have is a program for exceptional students who may pursue a PhD after acquiring a Bachelors Degree. He explained that because of the lack of financial funding, UIC only admitted a total of seven graduates into the program last year. He went on to say that students who are admitted into the program are the top academic performers at UIC. I am glad that Mr. O’Callaghan took out the time to speak with me about the PhD Program. I now have the information I need to plan a more realistic time table for acquiring a PhD. Most likely I will need to complete my Master’s Degree before working towards a PhD instead of working towards both degrees at the same time. However, Mr. O’Callaghan was very encouraging. He suggested that I speak with David Schaafsma who is the head of the English Department, before I register for classes next semester. He stated that Mr. Schaafma can assist me in selecting classes that are appropriate for students who want to become teachers. I appreciate the referral and will contact Mr. Schaafma next week for an appointment.

I will continue to search for a program that combines the Masters Degree and PhD for any student with a good academic standing at other colleges. In the meantime, I will work on accomplishing the goals I have identified on my planning wall.

My experience at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences was very positive and I am very confident that I will follow up on any referrals/assistance that will lead to acquiring my educational goals.

See you in class.......