I am not a big sports fanatic so I was really wondering how this week's guest speaker's lecture would head. I was very grateful for all the things he said and brought me out of my belief that teamwork was mainly for sports and the like. I have come to realize that there are teams everywhere in eveything that we do. Teams are any group of two or more. They should be working for the same common goal. My favorite of all the examples of teams he gave over the hour of class was that of the family. I had never thought of my family as a team on an everyday basis. There were times that we acted as a team for one purpose or another but, I had never considered that they were my team at all times. I guess that means I wasn't the best teammate all the time either because we did not share all our goals. I think I will try to improve upon this. Becoming a better teammate to my family and helping them reach their goals.
Another thing from his lecture that I thought was very beneficial to me was his comments on firelighters and firefighters. It made me realist how I sometimes poor water on the fire and quench the flame. I make sarcastic comments and jokes a lot and never really mean any harm by them but, they can still be detrimental. I have consciously made an effort to hold back my comments or make more supportive remarks this week. I hope that I can do better as a firelighter though...pyromaniacs freak me out a bit. ~_~ lol.
A third great point he made was the idea of base camps. You can't hike the mountain in one stretch. There are bases all along the way to stop at, regain your strength, and prepare for the next part of your voyage. This one has gotten to me more this week as I read my leadership book for the book report, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. There are so many things in the book that I need to improve upon but, I can't do them all at once. The peak of this mountain is not just a hop, skip, and a jump away but rather a series of about one hundred base camps. I must set many smaller goals and achieve them in their proper time to better my self otherwise I will only become frustrated and discouraged by my imminent failures.
Lastly, I shall speak on lifting where I stand. This talk made quite an impression upon me when it was give in general conference. Where I stand now is as a friend, a student, a daughter, a sister, a roommate, a tutor, a visiting teacher, and a member of many other teams. No matter what role I have, I must fill it to the best of my ability not seeking to over step my bounds and take over anyone else's responsibility or to shirk from my own leaving it for others to carry. I will stand close together with my other teammates and life where I stand.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time Management
This is probably the thing I am worst at. Time management. These are three things that I took from this week's topic that I know I need to work on: procrastinating, keeping things as simple as they need to be, and choosing the best over better and good.
I always seeem to think that I have more time than I actually do, or procrastinate things 'till later. That coupled with a bad memory is makes this one of my biggest weaknesses. When I get into something I tend to lose track of all time. I think I'd never wake up without my alarm and I know that once I start reading a good book nothing but dizzy, drowsy, fatigue can stop me until I've finished. I try sometimes to get things done early and when I do, it seems like a big weight has been lifted. It should be enough incentive to keep me doing it but, as I said before, this is my biggest weakness. I really like what President Eyring said bout the polar opposites of procrastinating because they both apply to me. When I have a lot of time, I become to lax and complacent to do much of anything with value. When I have so little time to do so much, I become so overwhelmed and stressed that I still can't seem to get anything done. This is one aspect of my life I know that I have to change.
Another problem I have with regard to time management I didn't even consider a problem until the speaker mentioned it. I am a perfectionist and very creative. When I start something I always get carried away. It has to be just right and they tend to be very complicated. Sometimes it is a good thing. I'm and artist and it comes in handy then but, in everyday life it can be a problem. I tend to over complicate things. I like the quote she brought by Richard G. Scott. "Remember, don't magnify the work to be done-simplify it." My dad always told me made things too difficult for myself and I brushed it off thinking I'm the one doing the work so what do it matter if it's a little more. I never considered that all the extra time could be better spent in other arenas. I would like to point out that my dad is the exact same way so you can't blame me for brushing him off.
Lastly, choosing the best things in life to spend my time on. I don't do bad things but, good things are not enough. I watch good TV shows and movies but maybe far too often. I should spend more of my time on more important things, better things, the best things. I need to balance my life better. Right now it is full of good things but, "just because something is good is not sufficient reason for doing it."-Dallin H. Oaks.
As I try to improve upon these principles and better manage my time I will keep in mind one more thing she said, "Be patient with yourself but, push yourself."
I always seeem to think that I have more time than I actually do, or procrastinate things 'till later. That coupled with a bad memory is makes this one of my biggest weaknesses. When I get into something I tend to lose track of all time. I think I'd never wake up without my alarm and I know that once I start reading a good book nothing but dizzy, drowsy, fatigue can stop me until I've finished. I try sometimes to get things done early and when I do, it seems like a big weight has been lifted. It should be enough incentive to keep me doing it but, as I said before, this is my biggest weakness. I really like what President Eyring said bout the polar opposites of procrastinating because they both apply to me. When I have a lot of time, I become to lax and complacent to do much of anything with value. When I have so little time to do so much, I become so overwhelmed and stressed that I still can't seem to get anything done. This is one aspect of my life I know that I have to change.
Another problem I have with regard to time management I didn't even consider a problem until the speaker mentioned it. I am a perfectionist and very creative. When I start something I always get carried away. It has to be just right and they tend to be very complicated. Sometimes it is a good thing. I'm and artist and it comes in handy then but, in everyday life it can be a problem. I tend to over complicate things. I like the quote she brought by Richard G. Scott. "Remember, don't magnify the work to be done-simplify it." My dad always told me made things too difficult for myself and I brushed it off thinking I'm the one doing the work so what do it matter if it's a little more. I never considered that all the extra time could be better spent in other arenas. I would like to point out that my dad is the exact same way so you can't blame me for brushing him off.
Lastly, choosing the best things in life to spend my time on. I don't do bad things but, good things are not enough. I watch good TV shows and movies but maybe far too often. I should spend more of my time on more important things, better things, the best things. I need to balance my life better. Right now it is full of good things but, "just because something is good is not sufficient reason for doing it."-Dallin H. Oaks.
As I try to improve upon these principles and better manage my time I will keep in mind one more thing she said, "Be patient with yourself but, push yourself."
Friday, February 12, 2010
Divine-Centered Leadership
This week's topic was one of the ones I had been looking forward to all semester. It reminded me a lot of the end of last summer witch I spent at Aspen Groves for Foundations of Leadership. We read many good talks but general authorities on leadership and the savior as being the perfect example of what a leader should be. I especially loved what you did with the lab this week, Audrey. Though most people refused my candy and looked at me like I was a weird freak, it inspired me to go home and leave notes for my roommates and the rest of the candy. I knew they wouldn't refuse. :) I took the rest of the sticky notes and plastered my building with up-lifting, brighten your day sort of messages. I hope I was able to may somebody's day a little better.
I thought I might just share my thoughts on the five main points of divine-centered leadership:
#1-SHARING AN INSPIRED VISION: It is wonderful to have great ideas but, if you cannot share them and have others join in on your vision not much will be accomplished. I can't imagine the Savior knowing everything that he did sitting back and letting the rest of the world wonder in confusion while he alone knew the way. I can't imagine him guaranteeing his and only his own salvation. It is not even conceivable. The Savior went out of his way to teach everyone the right way and then beckoned all, "Come follow me." He shared the inspired vision of the gospel and thanks to him, we are all here and now need to share our inspired visions.
#2-CHALLENGING UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: I think the first step in this is to look at my own life and change it so that it better resembles that of the savior. To challenge unrighteous practices and make a difference I mist be following correct principles in order to be taken seriously and not as a hypocrite. It is like that scripture in Luke 6:42. "Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye." This doesn't mean that I must be perfect at everything, but that I must be striving with all my might to live to the best of my ability. Then, and only then, can I honestly try to better the rest of the world by challenging unrighteousness where ever I see it. It is my responsibility to not sit idly by watching and complaining but, acting.
#3-MODELING THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: In order to be a good leader you must be at the front lines so that there is someone to follow. The Savior did not say feed my sheep and he him self horde all his own feed. I think of this principle like when learning something knew and complicated like a cooking, a new stroke when swimming, or a new math concept. It is sometimes very difficult to explain it exactly in words and a more advantageous use of time would be to physically show how it is done step by step, over and over until it can be remembered and is second nature. A parent cannot tell their children to say prayers before they go to bed but never show them how. Each night the parent kneels down beside the child and whispers what to say. Gradually the child inputs his own phrases without prompting and then utters the entire prayer by himself. Eventually the parent is even needed to remind the child because he knows what to do and it has become routine. This happens because the parent modeled the way, the truth, and the life.
#4-KNOWING EACH HEART: When leading, it is important to know who you are leading. Like last week, knowing each others' strengths and weaknesses helps you know how to handle a situation. You must really care for and know those around you. The Savior knows each of our hearts and that's one more reason that he is the perfect example of a leader. Even the sinners he was able to look upon their hearts and forgive them their sins when they had truly repented. We may not be able to do just that, but we can try to know everyone we lead better, get to know then on a personal level. My Book of Mormon professor told a story this week that fits perfectly. When he was a stake president he was asked to stand up in a meeting involving many stakes along with the sisters in his stake. He was then asked what one of their names was? He was unable to answer. He was asked another's and again fell short. On the third sister he finally knew one of their names. He was then asked how he expected to serve them if he didn't even know their names. Like my professor, I think it is important to know who we lead so that we may better serve them.
#5-SERVING OTHERS SO THEY MAY ACT: I think that this is one of the most important things you can do as a leader. Serve. Serving others as a leader sends the message that you are not above getting your hands dirty and neither is anyone else. Service doesn't necessarily mean you have to organize planting a garden for an old neighbor or send off packages to Haiti to help with relief efforts. Although these are good things to do, there are all sorts of small service activities you can engage in. Talking to someone who is stressed, not having and good day, or just feeling lonely can be some of the best service. I remember one time I saw a friend or mine in the hall and thought I'd say hi for a few minutes. It turned out she was so confused and didn't know what to say or how to react to some recent news she received. We ended up talking for an hour during which she was able to unwind and think. I didn't think much about it but, later that night on Facebook she commented that it was just what she needed. Service is really the best way to lead. I know that Christ's service to us all through the atonement has enabled us all to act and we must strive to do the same for others with our service.
I thought I might just share my thoughts on the five main points of divine-centered leadership:
#1-SHARING AN INSPIRED VISION: It is wonderful to have great ideas but, if you cannot share them and have others join in on your vision not much will be accomplished. I can't imagine the Savior knowing everything that he did sitting back and letting the rest of the world wonder in confusion while he alone knew the way. I can't imagine him guaranteeing his and only his own salvation. It is not even conceivable. The Savior went out of his way to teach everyone the right way and then beckoned all, "Come follow me." He shared the inspired vision of the gospel and thanks to him, we are all here and now need to share our inspired visions.
#2-CHALLENGING UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: I think the first step in this is to look at my own life and change it so that it better resembles that of the savior. To challenge unrighteous practices and make a difference I mist be following correct principles in order to be taken seriously and not as a hypocrite. It is like that scripture in Luke 6:42. "Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye." This doesn't mean that I must be perfect at everything, but that I must be striving with all my might to live to the best of my ability. Then, and only then, can I honestly try to better the rest of the world by challenging unrighteousness where ever I see it. It is my responsibility to not sit idly by watching and complaining but, acting.
#3-MODELING THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: In order to be a good leader you must be at the front lines so that there is someone to follow. The Savior did not say feed my sheep and he him self horde all his own feed. I think of this principle like when learning something knew and complicated like a cooking, a new stroke when swimming, or a new math concept. It is sometimes very difficult to explain it exactly in words and a more advantageous use of time would be to physically show how it is done step by step, over and over until it can be remembered and is second nature. A parent cannot tell their children to say prayers before they go to bed but never show them how. Each night the parent kneels down beside the child and whispers what to say. Gradually the child inputs his own phrases without prompting and then utters the entire prayer by himself. Eventually the parent is even needed to remind the child because he knows what to do and it has become routine. This happens because the parent modeled the way, the truth, and the life.
#4-KNOWING EACH HEART: When leading, it is important to know who you are leading. Like last week, knowing each others' strengths and weaknesses helps you know how to handle a situation. You must really care for and know those around you. The Savior knows each of our hearts and that's one more reason that he is the perfect example of a leader. Even the sinners he was able to look upon their hearts and forgive them their sins when they had truly repented. We may not be able to do just that, but we can try to know everyone we lead better, get to know then on a personal level. My Book of Mormon professor told a story this week that fits perfectly. When he was a stake president he was asked to stand up in a meeting involving many stakes along with the sisters in his stake. He was then asked what one of their names was? He was unable to answer. He was asked another's and again fell short. On the third sister he finally knew one of their names. He was then asked how he expected to serve them if he didn't even know their names. Like my professor, I think it is important to know who we lead so that we may better serve them.
#5-SERVING OTHERS SO THEY MAY ACT: I think that this is one of the most important things you can do as a leader. Serve. Serving others as a leader sends the message that you are not above getting your hands dirty and neither is anyone else. Service doesn't necessarily mean you have to organize planting a garden for an old neighbor or send off packages to Haiti to help with relief efforts. Although these are good things to do, there are all sorts of small service activities you can engage in. Talking to someone who is stressed, not having and good day, or just feeling lonely can be some of the best service. I remember one time I saw a friend or mine in the hall and thought I'd say hi for a few minutes. It turned out she was so confused and didn't know what to say or how to react to some recent news she received. We ended up talking for an hour during which she was able to unwind and think. I didn't think much about it but, later that night on Facebook she commented that it was just what she needed. Service is really the best way to lead. I know that Christ's service to us all through the atonement has enabled us all to act and we must strive to do the same for others with our service.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Strength Based Leadership
I think that this week's topic was very revealing. The Myers Briggs test pinpointed me perfectly. I am an IFNJ. I started typing this as "INFJs are" but decided to change it to "I am" because it describes me so prfectly and makes me feel good to know that at least on paper I can make some sort of sense. I am a "quiet, private individual," "very independent," and "intensely interested in the well-being of others." I am both sensitive and complex and I comprehend and am "driven to resolve" complicated issues and differences with creative solutions. I am very hesitant to share my inner life with others and don't often express my own feelings. Though I do not share my emotions well, I am adept to understanding and sympathizing with others' feelings. I am easily hurt but you wouldn't know it unless you are one of my few closest friends because I tend to bury it. I withdraw rather than expressing my pain. I have an order to the would but, it is one that only I can make sense of and understand. Sometimes my own complexity confounds and puzzles myself. My world is full of hidden meanings and possibilities. I live in my own world rather than the "real world." I have a "natural affinity for art" and am easily inspired.
My favorite part of all the INFJ explanations that I found is this: "As an INFJ, [my] primary mode of living is focused internally, where [I] take things in primarily via intuition...INFJs are gentile, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, [I] live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one person of the population has an INFJ personality type, making it the mast rare of all the types."
I have always felt that there was no one that thought the way I did or understood things as I did. I felt like the weird teenager who would rather stay home and read or talk with my mom rather than go out and have "fun." Now I know that it is because I am only one percent of the population. I often would be the one that friends would come to for help with their problems or to think things through. I absolutely adore art. I want to be an art teacher. I always think of the "what ifs" and love books, shows, and movies with other worlds than my own. I can meet many people and have a connection with them but, there are few people that I would call my true friends and those are the people I have known intimately for years like my family and friends since kindergarten. I am easily offended but smile though it. I usually do not speak out even when I have strong opinions or ideas. I prefer working in the background or being alone as opposed to being out in the crowd. I have often thought that I am weird and don't make any sense, that I am not a normal person because I don't think the way others do.
This was way cool to learn about myself. I think that if I can better understand myself I can know how to lead better. I know what my strength and weaknesses are so I know I need to lean on others for their strengths and be aware of their weaknesses also so that things will work out for the best.
My favorite part of all the INFJ explanations that I found is this: "As an INFJ, [my] primary mode of living is focused internally, where [I] take things in primarily via intuition...INFJs are gentile, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, [I] live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one person of the population has an INFJ personality type, making it the mast rare of all the types."
I have always felt that there was no one that thought the way I did or understood things as I did. I felt like the weird teenager who would rather stay home and read or talk with my mom rather than go out and have "fun." Now I know that it is because I am only one percent of the population. I often would be the one that friends would come to for help with their problems or to think things through. I absolutely adore art. I want to be an art teacher. I always think of the "what ifs" and love books, shows, and movies with other worlds than my own. I can meet many people and have a connection with them but, there are few people that I would call my true friends and those are the people I have known intimately for years like my family and friends since kindergarten. I am easily offended but smile though it. I usually do not speak out even when I have strong opinions or ideas. I prefer working in the background or being alone as opposed to being out in the crowd. I have often thought that I am weird and don't make any sense, that I am not a normal person because I don't think the way others do.
This was way cool to learn about myself. I think that if I can better understand myself I can know how to lead better. I know what my strength and weaknesses are so I know I need to lean on others for their strengths and be aware of their weaknesses also so that things will work out for the best.
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