Assignment #14: Refelcting on Leadership For Change

The Sound Bite: I have learned that it is impossible to shoot for your dream if you don't define it first.

Personal Reflection: I feel pretty amazed and stupid at the same time. I feel amazed because this class has taught me that all dreams are achievable with a little organization. I feel stupid cause I am going through a inner battle where I don't value myself or my abilities, combined with loss of focus. I would also like to throw in frustrated. I have realized that not only do I suck at keeping relationships alive, my friends don't really have any ambitions. They are mostly selfish and not thinking that anyone can do anything that is outside of normal (going to work and coming home to watch tv and eat dinner).

1. I have grown this semester in several ways. I have identified why my mother's loss was so crippling for me, a breakthrough in and of itself. I have realized that my friends lean on me and it is NEVER the other way around. Mostly because I don't trust them not to take advantage of my vulnerabilities. I have just really realized that NO ONE can do it by themselves. I have also realized that being a perfectionist is not always a good thing.

2. My thinking has changed a little. I was always told that I could do anything that I put my mind to. What no one told me is that it is sooooo hard to eliminate the distractions that hold so much space in the brain that they need to pay rent. I need to return to my younger self when it was easier for me to eliminate the "pretty demon". The distraction that doesn't fancy itself as a distraction and actually tells you that its helping you. Especially when you know in your heart that is the farthest thing from the truth. However, more ready to do it without the distractions, no matter how close or far.

3. Planning without a doubt. I was so used to following protocol blindly I didn't even know what the hell to do if it wasn't already on an established list. My planning still sucks because my execution is not what it should be but I will take all the things that I learned in this class into my future and make it better. Not watching television in every free moment that I had was very good too. Makes you realize how much of a waste of time it is.

4. 3 Things That I LIKED
- The exercise where people were "forced" to say something nice about you. We spend so much time tearing each other down (crabs in a barrel), it was nice that people actually observe the good things. In addition to DEFINING YOUR TOUCHSTONE. That was so critical in my time in this class. I think that the touchstone is more important than the dream itself (as long as you have a dream).
- The Barbara Sher book was so cool. Makes you see that your dreams are not as out of reach as you would like to think. It also gives you a framework about how to achieve those things. I would have liked to have read that book at 18.
- Talking to like minded people. Self-explanatory.
- Blogging. Excellent way to go back and monitor how you have progressed/changed.

5. 3Things I Liked Least
- Class size was a problem at times. Probably could have been over come if people were willing to share genuinely versus doing it for a grade.
- Sometimes the readings left a lot to be desired. Informative but sometime disconnected and hard to read.
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6. 3 Suggested Improvements
- Preset (smaller) Class Size
- I agree with DR. Rock about the panels. Earlier and more frequently.