Hi guys! I am going back to day 12 tonight and listing some of my dreams and passions.
I just love learning languages. When I am the happiest is when I am trying to learn a new language or understand a person who wants to be understood. I love saying to people what they have been trying to say all the time. Translating, interpreting, and learning language are what I love to do. I realized when I was cleaning my house just now that I use these skills on a daily basis. For example, I translate what my boss says into the actions that I take. I interpret the rules into my actions. I say things in different ways to promote understanding. That's where ideas come in, where I try new things always to better understand, better communicate, to be understood.
Maybe that is why I have a hard time or an easy time depending on how I look at it because I am always using my skills. Maybe I just need to pray for a passion to stand out and for direction and ask that I can be thankful to God because He has shown me how I am using my skills. I have been caught up in thinking that I need to be something unique, that there is only one of me and I better find the one thing that I can do, but that's not the whole truth I think. God has gifted me uniquely and I should always be using the gifts I have for Him, no matter what I am doing. I may be doing different things but these are the things I am passionate about, and I should always be doing them. I think I am also passionate about understanding, the place where two people meet and understand each other.
Well that's all for tonight, I'm going to go get some sleep. See you all tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long since I posted. One of my friends got married and things got really busy and I let this slide, but I really want to finish with this project by August 1st. I will try to do as much as I can between now and then.
I've been reading in Chapter 8 today and it could not have come at a better time, because I have a new opportunity that requires the skills talked about in Chapter 8. I feel a little guilty for not keeping up with this project and I hope that I do not miss out on any opportunities because I have not continued with this project. Sometimes I struggle with not doing the prep work beforehand. I hope I can get better at doing the work beforehand so I can be well prepared for opportunities instead of missing them due to lack of preparation. I think this is the biggest obstacle between me and the work of my dreams, as well as in other areas. I have trouble finding the balance between you can't be prepared for everything, and the good kind of preparation that clearly defines what you are about.
Well I think you can find the balance, and I hope to continue on with this project and finish it all the way.
Does anyone else struggle with talking about their accomplishments? Most of the time I don't feel like I can take credit for them because they were ideas, that were gifts, and then they worked out really well.
P.S. I am super loving learning Chinese!!
I've been reading in Chapter 8 today and it could not have come at a better time, because I have a new opportunity that requires the skills talked about in Chapter 8. I feel a little guilty for not keeping up with this project and I hope that I do not miss out on any opportunities because I have not continued with this project. Sometimes I struggle with not doing the prep work beforehand. I hope I can get better at doing the work beforehand so I can be well prepared for opportunities instead of missing them due to lack of preparation. I think this is the biggest obstacle between me and the work of my dreams, as well as in other areas. I have trouble finding the balance between you can't be prepared for everything, and the good kind of preparation that clearly defines what you are about.
Well I think you can find the balance, and I hope to continue on with this project and finish it all the way.
Does anyone else struggle with talking about their accomplishments? Most of the time I don't feel like I can take credit for them because they were ideas, that were gifts, and then they worked out really well.
P.S. I am super loving learning Chinese!!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Today is day 18 and the goal for today was to read chapter 7 and "believe you are going to find the road 'less traveled by' and that will make the difference for you as well". This can be hard when you are discouraged. I'm going to try and believe this.
Chapter 7 was great and super encouraging as to the mechanics of finding the jobs that are the best for you in an effective process. It also had good pointers on how to deal with job hunting discouragement.
I'm going to be thinking about how I can find the road "road less traveled by" and I think part of that has to do with something I started last week. I started learning Chinese. That was the language I played when I was younger. I told my mom about it today and she was laughing remembering me playing "Chinese". I never tried to learn it before now though. I super love it. Maybe it has something to do with what I'm supposed to do with my life.
That's all for now. Sorry it's kind of short. I hope you all are well.
Chapter 7 was great and super encouraging as to the mechanics of finding the jobs that are the best for you in an effective process. It also had good pointers on how to deal with job hunting discouragement.
I'm going to be thinking about how I can find the road "road less traveled by" and I think part of that has to do with something I started last week. I started learning Chinese. That was the language I played when I was younger. I told my mom about it today and she was laughing remembering me playing "Chinese". I never tried to learn it before now though. I super love it. Maybe it has something to do with what I'm supposed to do with my life.
That's all for now. Sorry it's kind of short. I hope you all are well.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Day 17's activity is to "make a list of 10-12 kinds of work" that blend the three areas Miller talks about (skills and abilities, personality traits, and dreams and passions). Here are 12 options I came up with. I did 6 more specific and 6 more general kinds of work
1. Be a homemaker
2. Teach Spanish privately
3. Do an afterschool Spanish program in several schools
4. Be a business developer (culture in business)
5. Teach English in a Foreign country or in America
6. Learn a language
7. Teaching
8. Strategics/Creating New Ideas
9. Coding/Decoding software
10. Culture Decoding
11. Translation
12. Interpreting
Countdown to the Work I Love questions
1. I'm starting to. I am competent in many areas and need to develop the work I love.
2. No I don't.
3. Yes, very easily. Sometimes I struggle because I can see my skills transferring to so many areas I don't know which to pick.
4. Yes.
5. No not yet. Maybe if I were to pursue ESL or any computer software work.
6. This is the best question of all the questions in this book so far. I have asked myself something like this question since grade school. "Has God given you abilities that do not match your desires? If so, how can you reconcile those?" I really don't know the answer to this question. I feel like this is true in my life. I have a hard time separating my desires out of my skills. Some things keep coming up over and over again in my life, but I don't know how to make sense of it, are they desires or not. I'm just going to believe that God doesn't keep us in an I don't know place. This is really my struggle with a topic the book talked about before about "sanctified ignorance" and "serving God" in a naive way leading to a life out of alignment which I have done. I want to find the authentic path to a purposeful life.
1. Be a homemaker
2. Teach Spanish privately
3. Do an afterschool Spanish program in several schools
4. Be a business developer (culture in business)
5. Teach English in a Foreign country or in America
6. Learn a language
7. Teaching
8. Strategics/Creating New Ideas
9. Coding/Decoding software
10. Culture Decoding
11. Translation
12. Interpreting
Countdown to the Work I Love questions
1. I'm starting to. I am competent in many areas and need to develop the work I love.
2. No I don't.
3. Yes, very easily. Sometimes I struggle because I can see my skills transferring to so many areas I don't know which to pick.
4. Yes.
5. No not yet. Maybe if I were to pursue ESL or any computer software work.
6. This is the best question of all the questions in this book so far. I have asked myself something like this question since grade school. "Has God given you abilities that do not match your desires? If so, how can you reconcile those?" I really don't know the answer to this question. I feel like this is true in my life. I have a hard time separating my desires out of my skills. Some things keep coming up over and over again in my life, but I don't know how to make sense of it, are they desires or not. I'm just going to believe that God doesn't keep us in an I don't know place. This is really my struggle with a topic the book talked about before about "sanctified ignorance" and "serving God" in a naive way leading to a life out of alignment which I have done. I want to find the authentic path to a purposeful life.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hey guys! I am really struggling with this one. Obviously, I haven't posted in two days because I have been avoiding it.
I'm not really liking the resume part of the process, I just want to leave it off because I hate thinking about myself and listing my accomplishments because I feel like I can't take credit for them, but I'm now just trying to focus on how I can help others get what they want through my skills. I'm also focusing on what I like to do. I'm obsessing on making it perfect on the first try but this is a process and I just need to stick to it.
Here is my New Resume using the appendix resumes as an outline. My plan is to only work on it for thirty minutes today and then post it to avoid the obsessing. Yesterday I worked on it for a while and then took a break and did not come back to it because I want it be perfect but I have to let that go and just do something.
Sophia Sizemore
(contact info removed to protect my privacy)
SKILLS SUMMARY
Over four years of teaching experience. High language learning ability. Speaks multiple languages. Likes ideas and trying new things. Strong work ethic. Likes helping people. Committed to life long learning.
QUALIFICATIONS
Leadership
Directed a summer program with duties including hiring staff, scheduling field trips and classroom visitors, training new staff, and leading team meetings. Planned the daily, weekly and monthly schedule for the teachers as well as students.
Innovation
Created and pilot tested an introduction to Spanish program for preschoolers. Program started as an after school elective and was adopted into the morning curriculum and taught for several years. Created the "Staff Review" where teachers could comment on the good things they saw other teachers doing, and one teacher would win a monthly prize.
Technical Ability
Studied abroad in Spain and France gaining an experiential knowledge of Spanish and French. Currently studying Chinese (Mandarin). Know basic elements of German, Hebrew, and Persian.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(removed to protect my privacy)
EDUCATION
(removed to protect my privacy)
REFERENCES
Available upon request
Thirty minutes is up so I'm going to stop. I was thinking about it just now and I think my problem is that since I'm an ideas person, ideas just come into my head and I don't feel like I can take credit for them. What's funny is that sometimes I don't take credit for "bad ideas" either. But I'm a paradox because sometimes I do take credit for my ideas, like when I feel good about my idea working or someone praises me for a good idea, or if I get upset when someone uses my idea and says it like they were the one who had it. Also I do take credit sometimes for "bad ideas" like when I broke my shoulder after I had the idea to jump like I was a figure skater when I was on roller blades...
I'm embarrassed because many of my ideas have been very successful and I don't feel like I can take credit for them because I feel like ideas are a gift.
Do you think you can take credit for ideas?
I'm not really liking the resume part of the process, I just want to leave it off because I hate thinking about myself and listing my accomplishments because I feel like I can't take credit for them, but I'm now just trying to focus on how I can help others get what they want through my skills. I'm also focusing on what I like to do. I'm obsessing on making it perfect on the first try but this is a process and I just need to stick to it.
Here is my New Resume using the appendix resumes as an outline. My plan is to only work on it for thirty minutes today and then post it to avoid the obsessing. Yesterday I worked on it for a while and then took a break and did not come back to it because I want it be perfect but I have to let that go and just do something.
Sophia Sizemore
(contact info removed to protect my privacy)
SKILLS SUMMARY
Over four years of teaching experience. High language learning ability. Speaks multiple languages. Likes ideas and trying new things. Strong work ethic. Likes helping people. Committed to life long learning.
QUALIFICATIONS
Leadership
Directed a summer program with duties including hiring staff, scheduling field trips and classroom visitors, training new staff, and leading team meetings. Planned the daily, weekly and monthly schedule for the teachers as well as students.
Innovation
Created and pilot tested an introduction to Spanish program for preschoolers. Program started as an after school elective and was adopted into the morning curriculum and taught for several years. Created the "Staff Review" where teachers could comment on the good things they saw other teachers doing, and one teacher would win a monthly prize.
Technical Ability
Studied abroad in Spain and France gaining an experiential knowledge of Spanish and French. Currently studying Chinese (Mandarin). Know basic elements of German, Hebrew, and Persian.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(removed to protect my privacy)
EDUCATION
(removed to protect my privacy)
REFERENCES
Available upon request
Thirty minutes is up so I'm going to stop. I was thinking about it just now and I think my problem is that since I'm an ideas person, ideas just come into my head and I don't feel like I can take credit for them. What's funny is that sometimes I don't take credit for "bad ideas" either. But I'm a paradox because sometimes I do take credit for my ideas, like when I feel good about my idea working or someone praises me for a good idea, or if I get upset when someone uses my idea and says it like they were the one who had it. Also I do take credit sometimes for "bad ideas" like when I broke my shoulder after I had the idea to jump like I was a figure skater when I was on roller blades...
I'm embarrassed because many of my ideas have been very successful and I don't feel like I can take credit for them because I feel like ideas are a gift.
Do you think you can take credit for ideas?
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Day 16...sort of.
Sorry guys I can't blog for real tonight. It's really late, and the goal today is to tweak your resume and use one of the templates to help you tweak it. I am really tired and know I will just go through the motions and not invest myself in like I should. Also, when I stay up too late, I feel really bad the next day so I am deciding to do a double post tomorrow and lay off of posting tonight.
The legalist inside me is freaking out, but I know this is the right choice. Basically I'm human and have limits. Thanks for understanding. See you tomorrow!
Sorry guys I can't blog for real tonight. It's really late, and the goal today is to tweak your resume and use one of the templates to help you tweak it. I am really tired and know I will just go through the motions and not invest myself in like I should. Also, when I stay up too late, I feel really bad the next day so I am deciding to do a double post tomorrow and lay off of posting tonight.
The legalist inside me is freaking out, but I know this is the right choice. Basically I'm human and have limits. Thanks for understanding. See you tomorrow!
Monday, June 25, 2012
So I fell asleep after reading Chapter 6 last Friday and took off for Saturday and Sunday so I am back today for Day 15!
Today's activity was to think through how your current resume sells you (that's when I fell asleep lol I was still thinking over Day 14 too). The question is "does it position you for what you want to continue doing, or is it just a historical overview of what you've done?"
Here is my current resume. I modified it to protect my privacy.
Sophia Sizemore
(contact info removed for privacy's sake)
Resume
Objective: To further my teaching career by applying a multi-level approach to language acquisition. I am creative and systematic in my approach to language acquisition. I love using languages to further communication.
Qualifications:
Experience in an international classroom; a semester abroad as a grammar student in France as well as a semester abroad at a university level in Spain.
Adult management skills gained while Assistant Director for Summer Program at Pre-School
Experience teaching about language through an introduction to Spanish program I created that was piloted as an after-school elective and was later adopted as part of the morning curriculum
2+ years experience in organizing weekly field trips
Other Skills
Experience in teaching to a class of students at varying skill levels
Tutoring experience in Spelling, Spanish, and Math
Creating and submitting lesson plans
Speaking Spanish on a good level as well as moderate French
Willing to learn other languages
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
January 2008-May 2012
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts with distinction Spanish major; French minor
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
(removed for privacy's sake)
I was originally just going to post my whole resume but then I got nervous with all my personal info on it so I modified it but apart from that, this is what my resume looks like. I think it sells me for what I'm trying to do, but I did speak recently with a free career counselor at a community college here and she said that it was too general. I think this resume is true to me, but it has not produced any interviews for me so far.
I think a functional resume with a chronological section will probably work best for me. That seems to be what I have now, and hopefully I can tweak it to be even better than it is now. It's probably my job searching process and lack of owning my dreams and passions that is not working, not just the resume part.
Well that's all for tonight. See you all tomorrow!
Today's activity was to think through how your current resume sells you (that's when I fell asleep lol I was still thinking over Day 14 too). The question is "does it position you for what you want to continue doing, or is it just a historical overview of what you've done?"
Here is my current resume. I modified it to protect my privacy.
Sophia Sizemore
(contact info removed for privacy's sake)
Resume
Objective: To further my teaching career by applying a multi-level approach to language acquisition. I am creative and systematic in my approach to language acquisition. I love using languages to further communication.
Qualifications:
Experience in an international classroom; a semester abroad as a grammar student in France as well as a semester abroad at a university level in Spain.
Adult management skills gained while Assistant Director for Summer Program at Pre-School
Experience teaching about language through an introduction to Spanish program I created that was piloted as an after-school elective and was later adopted as part of the morning curriculum
2+ years experience in organizing weekly field trips
Other Skills
Experience in teaching to a class of students at varying skill levels
Tutoring experience in Spelling, Spanish, and Math
Creating and submitting lesson plans
Speaking Spanish on a good level as well as moderate French
Willing to learn other languages
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
January 2008-May 2012
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts with distinction Spanish major; French minor
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
(removed for privacy's sake)
I was originally just going to post my whole resume but then I got nervous with all my personal info on it so I modified it but apart from that, this is what my resume looks like. I think it sells me for what I'm trying to do, but I did speak recently with a free career counselor at a community college here and she said that it was too general. I think this resume is true to me, but it has not produced any interviews for me so far.
I think a functional resume with a chronological section will probably work best for me. That seems to be what I have now, and hopefully I can tweak it to be even better than it is now. It's probably my job searching process and lack of owning my dreams and passions that is not working, not just the resume part.
Well that's all for tonight. See you all tomorrow!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hey Guys! Today was Day 14 and the goal of the day (which I read just now) was to "spend today believing you were totally responsible for everything that has happened in your life so far" as well as "imagining work that is fulfilling, meaningful, and profitable every day from here forward." I will also be carrying this challenge into tomorrow since I am about to go to sleep soon and want to focus more on it.
Believing that I am totally responsible for everything that has happened in my life is hard for me to do. My favorite thing to do was to first off try to find loopholes to make others culpable, and secondly to blame other people for circumstances I let happen to me. Remember how I was telling you about how I am so indecisive I just don't decide things, well then I blame people for the circumstances that come out of that. For example, if I was in a conversation where I didn't feel comfortable, but I didn't know if I should leave it or not, then I wouldn't decide to leave it, and then blame the other person for the pain and harm I suffered from the conversation.
I even believed (trying not to now) that I was not responsible for the low pay I have been having. I am telling myself now that I am responsible for this. I'm not going to blame anyone for this.
I fight accepting responsibility in for everything that has happened sometimes because I have been angry at someone for never apologizing. I was angry that I was always to blame in the situations and that the other person never admitted any wrongs. It was about this same time in my life I really sought out the loopholes and blame game since I was so angry. I need to accept responsibility for this too. Also it's probably a little human nature to do this too.
Well that's all for tonight. I'll let you know more what I think tomorrow!
Believing that I am totally responsible for everything that has happened in my life is hard for me to do. My favorite thing to do was to first off try to find loopholes to make others culpable, and secondly to blame other people for circumstances I let happen to me. Remember how I was telling you about how I am so indecisive I just don't decide things, well then I blame people for the circumstances that come out of that. For example, if I was in a conversation where I didn't feel comfortable, but I didn't know if I should leave it or not, then I wouldn't decide to leave it, and then blame the other person for the pain and harm I suffered from the conversation.
I even believed (trying not to now) that I was not responsible for the low pay I have been having. I am telling myself now that I am responsible for this. I'm not going to blame anyone for this.
I fight accepting responsibility in for everything that has happened sometimes because I have been angry at someone for never apologizing. I was angry that I was always to blame in the situations and that the other person never admitted any wrongs. It was about this same time in my life I really sought out the loopholes and blame game since I was so angry. I need to accept responsibility for this too. Also it's probably a little human nature to do this too.
Well that's all for tonight. I'll let you know more what I think tomorrow!
I'm so thankful to be back in my account! For those of you who don't know, I was locked out of my account since last night and was able to reset my password today. I posted my blog on my 48days.net page and I'll repost it here. I'll be back later tonight for Day 14. :)
Hey guys! I'm just posting my blog here today for all
of you keeping me accountable to blog my journey through 48 Days to the
Work You Love. For some reason tonight I am locked out of my blogger
acct thisismyjourneyto.blogspot.com and so I am posting here until I can
figure out what I did and how I can fix it. Computers....
Today was Day 13 and today's activity was to look inward and answer the questions at the end of Chapter 5 (http://www.48days.com/store/48daysbook/). Here are my answers.
1. When the setting is positive, people are loving and caring, problem solving, people are allowed to make mistakes (not "sanctioned incompetence" however), working with people, creative, quiet, take your time.
2. I listen to them and do what they ask me to do. I think they make good and right decisions.
3. Freedom, give them outlines and expect them to work with responsibility, not fight about non-essentials. Culture and attitudes are the most important part for me.
4. In this order, ideas, people, things
5. Mostly analytical, detailed and logical. I do like problem solving.
6. I like variety and new challenges in a steady and predictable environment/situation.
7. I am verbal and persuasive also a caring listener.
8. Smart, logical, nice, sweet, languages
9. Faith, Sow, Attach, Learner, Rest
10. She was loving and caring and attaching. She solved problems, planted ideas, and sowed good things.
That's all for today. Hopefully I will figure out what I did soon and repost this on the usual site. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Today was Day 13 and today's activity was to look inward and answer the questions at the end of Chapter 5 (http://www.48days.com/store/48daysbook/). Here are my answers.
1. When the setting is positive, people are loving and caring, problem solving, people are allowed to make mistakes (not "sanctioned incompetence" however), working with people, creative, quiet, take your time.
2. I listen to them and do what they ask me to do. I think they make good and right decisions.
3. Freedom, give them outlines and expect them to work with responsibility, not fight about non-essentials. Culture and attitudes are the most important part for me.
4. In this order, ideas, people, things
5. Mostly analytical, detailed and logical. I do like problem solving.
6. I like variety and new challenges in a steady and predictable environment/situation.
7. I am verbal and persuasive also a caring listener.
8. Smart, logical, nice, sweet, languages
9. Faith, Sow, Attach, Learner, Rest
10. She was loving and caring and attaching. She solved problems, planted ideas, and sowed good things.
That's all for today. Hopefully I will figure out what I did soon and repost this on the usual site. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Today was Day 12 and the goal was to list my dreams and passions. I'm still trying to figuring these out and here are some I came up with today.
Playing music for an audience
Preforming
Being home
Being loved
Learning another language
Translation
I have translated and learned languages my whole life. I was 5 when my neighbor went to France and wrote me "I'm starting to think my thoughts in French". I was very struck with the idea that someone else had thoughts not in English and I would try to imagine myself talking it, or how it sounded. I really did try to learn a language I didn't know any words in. There are home videos of me talking make up words and singing made up piano songs like I was from China or some place foreign. Then my sister started talking and she had a speech impediment when she was young and I translated for her. We would communicate and I would translate for her. Then I actually started learning languages. I have had several programs as well as grade school, middle school, high school, and college language learning. That was also primarily how I got through school, I would say to myself that if the professor was presenting material I disagreed with (since I wasn't allowed to disagree), I would just find a way to say back to the professor in other words, what he was saying all the time. This really is just so totally me as to not to be divided by anything else.
I like traveling.
I love being around positive people. I thrive when I am around positive people in a positive environment. I am mostly a follower in this regard.
I like it when other people help me know what to do with my time. Structure, routine, and schedule in general are good guidelines for me. I have a hard time knowing what to do when I have unscheduled time or how to break that time up into what needs to be done.
I love learning. That's another area I have loved my whole life.
Teaching
Leading
I love reading. When I was younger I read so many books. I still read so much.
Family
I have often felt learning languages was impractical as a career because there has to be some purpose in learning the languages for it to be a career. That's where I need to understand what the purpose is. I think I understand my unique offering is (learning languages and translation) like when I translate to people what they are really meaning to say, and I need to find the purpose that I really believe in and stand behind. I'm really afraid of some areas in language learning because of the constant negatives that I would be surrounded by. What I am seeking is a positive purpose for the unique offering I have. I'm not saying that I won't ever have a bad day, or that other people won't either, what I mean is that the subject material I am constantly dealing in is positive in nature and if there are negatives they can be talked about (unlike in for example a court translation setting where that is not permitted). That's where I am right now. I think one of the biggest factors for me work wise is a positive environment where making mistakes is allowed and perfection is not the measuring stick while not "sanctioning incompetence". The culture of the company is the biggest factor for me work wise.
Playing music for an audience
Preforming
Being home
Being loved
Learning another language
Translation
I have translated and learned languages my whole life. I was 5 when my neighbor went to France and wrote me "I'm starting to think my thoughts in French". I was very struck with the idea that someone else had thoughts not in English and I would try to imagine myself talking it, or how it sounded. I really did try to learn a language I didn't know any words in. There are home videos of me talking make up words and singing made up piano songs like I was from China or some place foreign. Then my sister started talking and she had a speech impediment when she was young and I translated for her. We would communicate and I would translate for her. Then I actually started learning languages. I have had several programs as well as grade school, middle school, high school, and college language learning. That was also primarily how I got through school, I would say to myself that if the professor was presenting material I disagreed with (since I wasn't allowed to disagree), I would just find a way to say back to the professor in other words, what he was saying all the time. This really is just so totally me as to not to be divided by anything else.
I like traveling.
I love being around positive people. I thrive when I am around positive people in a positive environment. I am mostly a follower in this regard.
I like it when other people help me know what to do with my time. Structure, routine, and schedule in general are good guidelines for me. I have a hard time knowing what to do when I have unscheduled time or how to break that time up into what needs to be done.
I love learning. That's another area I have loved my whole life.
Teaching
Leading
I love reading. When I was younger I read so many books. I still read so much.
Family
I have often felt learning languages was impractical as a career because there has to be some purpose in learning the languages for it to be a career. That's where I need to understand what the purpose is. I think I understand my unique offering is (learning languages and translation) like when I translate to people what they are really meaning to say, and I need to find the purpose that I really believe in and stand behind. I'm really afraid of some areas in language learning because of the constant negatives that I would be surrounded by. What I am seeking is a positive purpose for the unique offering I have. I'm not saying that I won't ever have a bad day, or that other people won't either, what I mean is that the subject material I am constantly dealing in is positive in nature and if there are negatives they can be talked about (unlike in for example a court translation setting where that is not permitted). That's where I am right now. I think one of the biggest factors for me work wise is a positive environment where making mistakes is allowed and perfection is not the measuring stick while not "sanctioning incompetence". The culture of the company is the biggest factor for me work wise.
Monday, June 18, 2012
So today is Day 11 and also I spent the weekend digging into my personality traits.
I am definitely Number 3, Steadiness (Amiable)-Golden Retriever/Dove. I am especially this when it comes to avoiding conflict which I usually do at all costs. I am also a follower in many respects, as well as a leader in others. I follow mostly what I see people do, who I'm around a lot, however, if the situation becomes wrong, or I get an opportunity to pick, I am happy to decide for everyone. I feel a strong sense of responsibility yet as I have been saying earlier, I am really indecisive and kind of a perfectionist. So, I'm kind of a paradox.
As far as skills and abilities I tried to think of the ones that gave me pleasure when being used and I thought of playing music, languages (French), and learning.
I am still thinking about my values, dreams and passions, and also I am praying for healing from subtle control to obscure or confuse my direction. I feel this has happened to me in the past in school and I have tried to blend in and be more like everyone else. Also I have had a lot of experiences that were hard to relate to, but really everyone has had experiences like that or felt like that at some point so, it's not an excuse.
I'll be sure to ask my friends how they see me through their eyes. My employers have been clear that I am a good worker, someone who handles herself well in stressful situations, responsible, and smart. It should be really insightful to see what my friends say they see me as or even my parents. I need to think of people more as unique, and break the old cookie cutter, perfectionistic mindset.
I hope you guys are having a good Monday! Is there anything I could help you with, or talk about more?
I am definitely Number 3, Steadiness (Amiable)-Golden Retriever/Dove. I am especially this when it comes to avoiding conflict which I usually do at all costs. I am also a follower in many respects, as well as a leader in others. I follow mostly what I see people do, who I'm around a lot, however, if the situation becomes wrong, or I get an opportunity to pick, I am happy to decide for everyone. I feel a strong sense of responsibility yet as I have been saying earlier, I am really indecisive and kind of a perfectionist. So, I'm kind of a paradox.
As far as skills and abilities I tried to think of the ones that gave me pleasure when being used and I thought of playing music, languages (French), and learning.
I am still thinking about my values, dreams and passions, and also I am praying for healing from subtle control to obscure or confuse my direction. I feel this has happened to me in the past in school and I have tried to blend in and be more like everyone else. Also I have had a lot of experiences that were hard to relate to, but really everyone has had experiences like that or felt like that at some point so, it's not an excuse.
I'll be sure to ask my friends how they see me through their eyes. My employers have been clear that I am a good worker, someone who handles herself well in stressful situations, responsible, and smart. It should be really insightful to see what my friends say they see me as or even my parents. I need to think of people more as unique, and break the old cookie cutter, perfectionistic mindset.
I hope you guys are having a good Monday! Is there anything I could help you with, or talk about more?
Friday, June 15, 2012
Happy Day 10!
I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, I love this chapter!
I really need to work on knowing myself in the three areas Miller mentions, I tend to be a generalist.
I keep thinking of the point Miller made in another chapter about emotions signaling imbalance when I was reading about "divine discontent". I'm not sure I fully understand what Miller is trying to say through the Emerson quote because it was a little over my head, but I think what it means is that change is something that happens? I always have thought constancy was a virtue, that there are areas in your life that you will be more or less the same in, and it is true that change is always happening if we want it to or not.
Maybe this is a personality thing, but I have frequently wished for constancy. Maybe there is a paradox between the need to change, and the need to have constancy. Maybe I also need to consider the possibility that the only constant is change.
I will be working on understanding myself better in these three areas and try to share what I have learned through introspection here. My goal this weekend is to think on these three areas.
Well, that's all for tonight. Have a good weekend!
I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, I love this chapter!
I really need to work on knowing myself in the three areas Miller mentions, I tend to be a generalist.
I keep thinking of the point Miller made in another chapter about emotions signaling imbalance when I was reading about "divine discontent". I'm not sure I fully understand what Miller is trying to say through the Emerson quote because it was a little over my head, but I think what it means is that change is something that happens? I always have thought constancy was a virtue, that there are areas in your life that you will be more or less the same in, and it is true that change is always happening if we want it to or not.
Maybe this is a personality thing, but I have frequently wished for constancy. Maybe there is a paradox between the need to change, and the need to have constancy. Maybe I also need to consider the possibility that the only constant is change.
I will be working on understanding myself better in these three areas and try to share what I have learned through introspection here. My goal this weekend is to think on these three areas.
Well, that's all for tonight. Have a good weekend!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Day 9
I can't believe its day nine already! 39 more to go. I'm so glad this is a step by step process. I really need that because it would be so hard to do on my own.
I am very indecisive. I think that it is a problem I have. I'm not to sure how to fix it yet but I hope that following the steps will help me. I agree that if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting. I'm going to change then and agree that 48 days is enough time to walk the 5 step process of evaluating decisions. Even two weeks is enough to decide for some things like Dan Miller and his wife do. Since you may not know me really well, this is a huge thing for me to say. I have been long been struggling with indecision. My biggest problem that contributes to indecision is what if new information arrives to change the decision. Another problem is not wanting to take responsibility. Also I'm a phlegmatic personality. I'm going to have to change this if I want to be successful.
Usually decisions take me forever. I like to contrive ways not to make them, like "oh I don't care what restaurant we eat at" or "I don't know". Most of the time I just avoid making a decision and then wander around in whatever happens as a result of me not deciding. I'm afraid to make decisions because I'm afraid I'll make the wrong one and then something bad will happen as a result. I sometimes take a really long time even responding to people who email me or text me a question because I'm not sure what to decide. I don't want to be seen as foolish, really I'm just insecure. I have lost many opportunities and strained relationships as a result of my indecision. One example is I was indecisive on whether or not I should be roommates my senior year in college with my best friend in an apartment, or with someone in the dorm ministry at the bsu. As a result, in "sanctified ignorance" and indecision, I became roommates with the girl from dorm ministries and it did not go well as we were not good for each other. I have many other examples of this in my life as well. I'm afraid of repeating history and I'm not sure what to do to change. Sometimes I just want to be sure I'm making the right choice and I usually never feel that way. This needs to change. I need to be decisive and make good choices and stick with them.
I think indecision has crippled me because I have not ever really sunk into something, fighting and scraping for any decision until last summer. That's what when I started learning how to be more decisive, and if I could be the assistant director for the summer program again, it would definitely be something I would be more. I think I want to change that in my life too.
Answers to Countdown to the Work I Love
1. Recently I have become more of a goal setter. I avoided doing so for a long time because I didn't know what would happen if I didn't meet my goal, or if it didn't come to pass maybe I was afraid of failure and afraid of being cocky if I succeeded. I'm still afraid success and praise will go to my head and I will be headed for a fall then.
2. My current focus on work is to learn how to be more sociable and business oriented. Also I am learning leadership skills.
3. I like to play the violin, read books, sometimes do craft projects, do summer projects (48 days is my project this summer. Usually I pick a topic of interest like sailing or coffee and learn as much as I can in the summer about it), cooking sometimes, movies, hanging out with friends. That's about it for hobbies. As far as skills and interests, I can learn any language, aside from English I have learned two other languages very well as well as parts of two others and phrases in two more. If I hear it, I can usually remember it and use it. I am interested in many subjects, in fact I think I will try about any subject unless there are questions about the morality of the subject. I love traveling and seeing new things.
4. I don't know if I really involved in my community. I go to church, Bible study, and I work at a cafe and see a lot of people. I'm with friends as well and call my parents. That's about it.
5. My father's attitude towards work was that it was something you submitted to for the sake of the provision of your family. My Dad worked long hours and really focused on doing his job well. Now he gets to work in a place where he's wanted to work for many years. The affect this had on me first is that I think it made me a good business person. My Dad's business advice has always been sound and some of the best conversations we have are when he is giving me business advice. His work has had him traveling quite a bit. As a result, I tend to do the same thing sometimes, withdraw from other life activities and focus primarily on work. My Mom's attitude towards work is a little different. She is a homemaker and so a lot of her work has been caring for our needs and taking us where we needed to go and so forth. She also likes to work on projects. She manages to do a lot that doesn't always get noticed, like paying the bills, cleaning around the house, coordinating schedules, and probably much more. Mom always just sort of did the work and did it well even if she never got a thank you. So pretty much I have awesome parents. I've not always viewed their efforts in a positive light, but these are the affects their work has had on me.
I can't believe its day nine already! 39 more to go. I'm so glad this is a step by step process. I really need that because it would be so hard to do on my own.
I am very indecisive. I think that it is a problem I have. I'm not to sure how to fix it yet but I hope that following the steps will help me. I agree that if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting. I'm going to change then and agree that 48 days is enough time to walk the 5 step process of evaluating decisions. Even two weeks is enough to decide for some things like Dan Miller and his wife do. Since you may not know me really well, this is a huge thing for me to say. I have been long been struggling with indecision. My biggest problem that contributes to indecision is what if new information arrives to change the decision. Another problem is not wanting to take responsibility. Also I'm a phlegmatic personality. I'm going to have to change this if I want to be successful.
Usually decisions take me forever. I like to contrive ways not to make them, like "oh I don't care what restaurant we eat at" or "I don't know". Most of the time I just avoid making a decision and then wander around in whatever happens as a result of me not deciding. I'm afraid to make decisions because I'm afraid I'll make the wrong one and then something bad will happen as a result. I sometimes take a really long time even responding to people who email me or text me a question because I'm not sure what to decide. I don't want to be seen as foolish, really I'm just insecure. I have lost many opportunities and strained relationships as a result of my indecision. One example is I was indecisive on whether or not I should be roommates my senior year in college with my best friend in an apartment, or with someone in the dorm ministry at the bsu. As a result, in "sanctified ignorance" and indecision, I became roommates with the girl from dorm ministries and it did not go well as we were not good for each other. I have many other examples of this in my life as well. I'm afraid of repeating history and I'm not sure what to do to change. Sometimes I just want to be sure I'm making the right choice and I usually never feel that way. This needs to change. I need to be decisive and make good choices and stick with them.
I think indecision has crippled me because I have not ever really sunk into something, fighting and scraping for any decision until last summer. That's what when I started learning how to be more decisive, and if I could be the assistant director for the summer program again, it would definitely be something I would be more. I think I want to change that in my life too.
Answers to Countdown to the Work I Love
1. Recently I have become more of a goal setter. I avoided doing so for a long time because I didn't know what would happen if I didn't meet my goal, or if it didn't come to pass maybe I was afraid of failure and afraid of being cocky if I succeeded. I'm still afraid success and praise will go to my head and I will be headed for a fall then.
2. My current focus on work is to learn how to be more sociable and business oriented. Also I am learning leadership skills.
3. I like to play the violin, read books, sometimes do craft projects, do summer projects (48 days is my project this summer. Usually I pick a topic of interest like sailing or coffee and learn as much as I can in the summer about it), cooking sometimes, movies, hanging out with friends. That's about it for hobbies. As far as skills and interests, I can learn any language, aside from English I have learned two other languages very well as well as parts of two others and phrases in two more. If I hear it, I can usually remember it and use it. I am interested in many subjects, in fact I think I will try about any subject unless there are questions about the morality of the subject. I love traveling and seeing new things.
4. I don't know if I really involved in my community. I go to church, Bible study, and I work at a cafe and see a lot of people. I'm with friends as well and call my parents. That's about it.
5. My father's attitude towards work was that it was something you submitted to for the sake of the provision of your family. My Dad worked long hours and really focused on doing his job well. Now he gets to work in a place where he's wanted to work for many years. The affect this had on me first is that I think it made me a good business person. My Dad's business advice has always been sound and some of the best conversations we have are when he is giving me business advice. His work has had him traveling quite a bit. As a result, I tend to do the same thing sometimes, withdraw from other life activities and focus primarily on work. My Mom's attitude towards work is a little different. She is a homemaker and so a lot of her work has been caring for our needs and taking us where we needed to go and so forth. She also likes to work on projects. She manages to do a lot that doesn't always get noticed, like paying the bills, cleaning around the house, coordinating schedules, and probably much more. Mom always just sort of did the work and did it well even if she never got a thank you. So pretty much I have awesome parents. I've not always viewed their efforts in a positive light, but these are the affects their work has had on me.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Day 8
I loved Chapter 4! It was super insightful. I learned that some of the emotions I have been feeling recently are probably a sign that something is out of balance in my life. I don't know what out of balance yet but it helps to know that is a symptom of something going on. I am totally dealing with "sanctified ignorance" in my life. That's what I do totally. I really need to have a defined goal.
Does anyone else struggle with taking responsibility for their own life? You're still responsible for it even if you don't want to take responsibility for it. What I do is I have emotions, then I have uncertainty, then I don't want responsibility. There's no undoing being born, and having responsibility for my life so I need to just try to take it and get a focused game plan and be responsible for what's going on in my life.
I want to look at ordinary as well as extraordinary ways to use my gifts and skills. Sometimes I feel pressure to be extraordinary. Maybe that's because I'm smart and that's what I think people expect of me. For example I love playing the violin. I've been in the 2nd violin section most of the time. I would always try to come up with strategies of becoming first violin like practicing hours on end, putting my heart into it, having a right heart attitude about it, asking the director to take or retake "challenge tests" to move up to the first violin section. It's not that I don't play well or enjoy it, it's that I was trying to be extraordinary in an area where I might just be ordinary. I have had some real moments of being extraordinary and I need to grow in the ordinary as well. Are we extraordinary in moments or areas? I might not be extraordinary at everything but I can be successful in all areas.
Personal Checkup
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. No
6. No
7. No
8. No
9. Yes
10. No
What deposits am I making in the 7 areas of success?
My biggest deposits now are in the areas of career and personal development. I could use a little help for the other areas. Today I was able to take a rest as well as a nice walk so that helped physically. Maybe I should try to work on one of those areas every day.
I loved Chapter 4! It was super insightful. I learned that some of the emotions I have been feeling recently are probably a sign that something is out of balance in my life. I don't know what out of balance yet but it helps to know that is a symptom of something going on. I am totally dealing with "sanctified ignorance" in my life. That's what I do totally. I really need to have a defined goal.
Does anyone else struggle with taking responsibility for their own life? You're still responsible for it even if you don't want to take responsibility for it. What I do is I have emotions, then I have uncertainty, then I don't want responsibility. There's no undoing being born, and having responsibility for my life so I need to just try to take it and get a focused game plan and be responsible for what's going on in my life.
I want to look at ordinary as well as extraordinary ways to use my gifts and skills. Sometimes I feel pressure to be extraordinary. Maybe that's because I'm smart and that's what I think people expect of me. For example I love playing the violin. I've been in the 2nd violin section most of the time. I would always try to come up with strategies of becoming first violin like practicing hours on end, putting my heart into it, having a right heart attitude about it, asking the director to take or retake "challenge tests" to move up to the first violin section. It's not that I don't play well or enjoy it, it's that I was trying to be extraordinary in an area where I might just be ordinary. I have had some real moments of being extraordinary and I need to grow in the ordinary as well. Are we extraordinary in moments or areas? I might not be extraordinary at everything but I can be successful in all areas.
Personal Checkup
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. No
6. No
7. No
8. No
9. Yes
10. No
What deposits am I making in the 7 areas of success?
My biggest deposits now are in the areas of career and personal development. I could use a little help for the other areas. Today I was able to take a rest as well as a nice walk so that helped physically. Maybe I should try to work on one of those areas every day.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Day 7
I almost put off today's activity because it's late and I'm tired from a busy day. But I saw it was short and took courage...
It was to list three or four mentors who have inspired me alone the way.
Teacher Kelcie has been and continues to be a positive mentor in my life.
My new boss Eric is a positive mentor for sure.
Although I don't know him personally, Dave Ramsey has definitely been a positive mentor.
Mrs. Pat from Bible study as well as the other members are positive mentors that I depend on.
I can think of more than four and I will be sure to contact several mentors for advice.
I almost put off today's activity because it's late and I'm tired from a busy day. But I saw it was short and took courage...
It was to list three or four mentors who have inspired me alone the way.
Teacher Kelcie has been and continues to be a positive mentor in my life.
My new boss Eric is a positive mentor for sure.
Although I don't know him personally, Dave Ramsey has definitely been a positive mentor.
Mrs. Pat from Bible study as well as the other members are positive mentors that I depend on.
I can think of more than four and I will be sure to contact several mentors for advice.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Happy Day 6!
I had the privilege of talking to some married friends of mine today "about my new understanding of the difference between vocation, career, and job" and the conversation lead my friend's husband to say he is a builder. A huge smile was on his face when he said it, and I hope it helped them as he is going through a job struggle now as well. I hope he will get this book and read it too. It was totally like God to give hope and inspiration through our conversation because I only shared to follow the first sentence, I had not yet read the second one.
Here are my answers to Chapter 3 hope you enjoy!
1. No it's not realistic, but that is hard to admit.
2. Not yet. I think I'm listening now.
3. No, I think He calls everyone.
4. No, not totally, but a practical part of it.
5. I think I may be onto a vocation, as part of a job.
6. Emotionally being, as well as financially thriving.
7. No, I kinda thought I would be married like my parents were.
8. Yes.
9. I think I will change some thought processes I have had for a while, my leadership style, thoughts concerning God. I think I will let love in, and let people get close to me.
I had the privilege of talking to some married friends of mine today "about my new understanding of the difference between vocation, career, and job" and the conversation lead my friend's husband to say he is a builder. A huge smile was on his face when he said it, and I hope it helped them as he is going through a job struggle now as well. I hope he will get this book and read it too. It was totally like God to give hope and inspiration through our conversation because I only shared to follow the first sentence, I had not yet read the second one.
Here are my answers to Chapter 3 hope you enjoy!
1. No it's not realistic, but that is hard to admit.
2. Not yet. I think I'm listening now.
3. No, I think He calls everyone.
4. No, not totally, but a practical part of it.
5. I think I may be onto a vocation, as part of a job.
6. Emotionally being, as well as financially thriving.
7. No, I kinda thought I would be married like my parents were.
8. Yes.
9. I think I will change some thought processes I have had for a while, my leadership style, thoughts concerning God. I think I will let love in, and let people get close to me.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Today's Activity was to read Chapter 3 and answer a couple questions.
As I said yesterday I'm trying to memorize the quote and am now going to try to write it from memory.
"Work is love made visible. If you cannot work with love but only distaste it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms from those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that satisfies but half a man's hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distills a poison in the wine. And if you sing as though angels and love not the singing, you muffle man's ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night. All work is empty save where there is love, and when you work with love, you bind yourself to yourself, to one another and to God." K.G.
I have to work on his name, I'm going to look and see what it is (Kahlil Gibran). I have some words here and there so I'll keep working on it and keep you posted.
I super loved this chapter! I have worried about direction and open doors myself and must confess I usually live my life not knowing where I am going and looking back to see where I went. I need to be listening for my vocation. As I said last time, I have been fortunate enough to have accomplished many of my childhood dreams. I really cringe up when I think about my calling though. I think its because I bought into the idea that God could call anyone anywhere regardless of how He gifted them. As if all of the gifts He gave me didn't count and I should go in a completely different direction. I really have been afraid of being disobedient and not fully surrendered to God for wrestling with areas of this kind. Specifically I have always wanted to be married and have children but sometimes a thought will come into my mind that I should be single. I wrestle with this thought because I don't want to be single and give up family dreams and I don't want to be not surrendering to God and selfish for not saying yes. Miller says that he met many people in this same dilemma. I need to see where there is an alignment of the things Miller mentions and recognize God's call.
It's so great that you don't have to be limited to one career but as you understand your calling you can do it in many different areas. I've heard the word avodah but I didn't know it was essence of work and worship which is pretty cool. I really just pray for a work that would be an authentic fit with my personality, gifts, skills, and dreams. God's call should definitely be a first choice and not a last resort.
Answers to Daily Activity questions
Yes, I am totally comfortable seeing work as just a tool for a successful life. In fact I have tried the model of mostly work and nothing else and it does not work. I'm starting to make deposits in other life areas and hope to continue growing in this.
Taking the weekend off! See you Monday!
P.S. I'm super loving the song "I'm not who I was" by Brandon Heath. Maybe this should be my life song.
As I said yesterday I'm trying to memorize the quote and am now going to try to write it from memory.
"Work is love made visible. If you cannot work with love but only distaste it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms from those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that satisfies but half a man's hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distills a poison in the wine. And if you sing as though angels and love not the singing, you muffle man's ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night. All work is empty save where there is love, and when you work with love, you bind yourself to yourself, to one another and to God." K.G.
I have to work on his name, I'm going to look and see what it is (Kahlil Gibran). I have some words here and there so I'll keep working on it and keep you posted.
I super loved this chapter! I have worried about direction and open doors myself and must confess I usually live my life not knowing where I am going and looking back to see where I went. I need to be listening for my vocation. As I said last time, I have been fortunate enough to have accomplished many of my childhood dreams. I really cringe up when I think about my calling though. I think its because I bought into the idea that God could call anyone anywhere regardless of how He gifted them. As if all of the gifts He gave me didn't count and I should go in a completely different direction. I really have been afraid of being disobedient and not fully surrendered to God for wrestling with areas of this kind. Specifically I have always wanted to be married and have children but sometimes a thought will come into my mind that I should be single. I wrestle with this thought because I don't want to be single and give up family dreams and I don't want to be not surrendering to God and selfish for not saying yes. Miller says that he met many people in this same dilemma. I need to see where there is an alignment of the things Miller mentions and recognize God's call.
It's so great that you don't have to be limited to one career but as you understand your calling you can do it in many different areas. I've heard the word avodah but I didn't know it was essence of work and worship which is pretty cool. I really just pray for a work that would be an authentic fit with my personality, gifts, skills, and dreams. God's call should definitely be a first choice and not a last resort.
Answers to Daily Activity questions
Yes, I am totally comfortable seeing work as just a tool for a successful life. In fact I have tried the model of mostly work and nothing else and it does not work. I'm starting to make deposits in other life areas and hope to continue growing in this.
Taking the weekend off! See you Monday!
P.S. I'm super loving the song "I'm not who I was" by Brandon Heath. Maybe this should be my life song.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Hey guys!
Today's step is to respond to the questions at the end of Chapter 2 in the book and here are my answers.
1. I disagree? All progress does require change and maybe not all change is progress in a positive direction which I have definitely experienced.
2. All progress requires change for sure. We would always have to try new things with the kids to see what worked or not, what could help them etc.
3. There were lots of company changes and generally I'm all for changes especially when they are for the better. Sometimes changes a company were not ready to make for whatever reason did affect me.
4. Sure. So far I have failed to make what I've been doing financially viable. It has lead me to reread this book and chronicle my journey.
5. I wanted to be a mother and I wanted to learn French and play the piano and violin and visit far away places. I've done all these accept become a mother yet.
6. I heard the story of one of the ladies who owned the school where I worked before I worked there. She wrote in Kindergarten "I want to own a school" in response to the question of what do you want to be when you grow up and she hung that paper in the school she owned. She had a focused goal and she accomplished it. This teacher I used to teach with was always wishing and thinking about owning the glass door knob on the closet door in our school. When the school was about to be torn down, she asked and she got to have the door knob. Their accomplishments took work, thought, planning, initiative, and probably guts.
7. I will be in a nice warm house with my husband and children and we will be enjoying each others company. I will be financially independent and will always have people in my house.
That's all for today! Tune in tomorrow for Day 5!
P.S. My eyes wandered over and read the poem before Chapter 3 and I copied it on a piece of paper and I'm going to memorize it. Can you guys hold me to it?
Today's step is to respond to the questions at the end of Chapter 2 in the book and here are my answers.
1. I disagree? All progress does require change and maybe not all change is progress in a positive direction which I have definitely experienced.
2. All progress requires change for sure. We would always have to try new things with the kids to see what worked or not, what could help them etc.
3. There were lots of company changes and generally I'm all for changes especially when they are for the better. Sometimes changes a company were not ready to make for whatever reason did affect me.
4. Sure. So far I have failed to make what I've been doing financially viable. It has lead me to reread this book and chronicle my journey.
5. I wanted to be a mother and I wanted to learn French and play the piano and violin and visit far away places. I've done all these accept become a mother yet.
6. I heard the story of one of the ladies who owned the school where I worked before I worked there. She wrote in Kindergarten "I want to own a school" in response to the question of what do you want to be when you grow up and she hung that paper in the school she owned. She had a focused goal and she accomplished it. This teacher I used to teach with was always wishing and thinking about owning the glass door knob on the closet door in our school. When the school was about to be torn down, she asked and she got to have the door knob. Their accomplishments took work, thought, planning, initiative, and probably guts.
7. I will be in a nice warm house with my husband and children and we will be enjoying each others company. I will be financially independent and will always have people in my house.
That's all for today! Tune in tomorrow for Day 5!
P.S. My eyes wandered over and read the poem before Chapter 3 and I copied it on a piece of paper and I'm going to memorize it. Can you guys hold me to it?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Ok just letting you guys know some days I have to go to work early so you can expect a later night post, and some days I go to work in the afternoons so you can expect a morning post.
Today's step was to read chapter 2 and boy was it a rich chapter and also some work to get through. One thing I learned that was an eye opener was that I love the seeds part of the growth cycle. At the school where I worked, my favorite part of my job was the anticipation as I would offer suggestions or ideas to children about things they could do in the future if it would interest them. I would sometimes say "you could be an artist" or "you could be a hair designer" and I love wondering about how all those ideas might be planted and grow into something amazing for the child. That's why I love watching Bob Harper on the Biggest Loser (true confessions). One year he said "I love day one, I love day one." and I totally get that because I love day one too. He plants the seeds of good fitness and health and nurtures them and then sends the contestants out into the world to live their lives.
I'm usually like the second caterpillar in the chapter wishing and resentful and I/that needs to change. In fact, another of the many things I was thinking after reading this chapter was what is the difference between positive and negative people. I realized that negative, controlling people (I would know because I have been both on the giving and receiving end) take away the offerings of other people. When I was negative I would not be taking suggestions from others on what they had to offer me. When I have been around negative people I have personally experienced giving and giving and giving and giving and not having my offerings acknowledged or accepted. Since I have also been thinking about work now as "what do I have to offer?" this has totally changed my perspective on being/working with negative people and engaging in negative people stuff. I do not want to be the person to negate anyone's offering, and as far as working with negative people I think there probably is a time and it must vary depending on the circumstances when you have to say, "I don't wish anything bad for you and I hope that things come into your life that help you out of this.
That's where God is so good because I have been realizing recently as a lot of good things have happened for me that I am guilty of showing contempt for God's kindness for others Romans 2:4 and I never want to do that again. God has brought so many many good things into my life to get me to a place where I can draw closer to Him.
Questions from "Day's Activity"
As far as national averages go I'm a little under target I think because I had one main job and lots of other little side jobs. I learned however I've been spending way too many hours of my week on work (more than 60 per week). Nothing against working hard but I think there is a way to make less amount of time more profitable because my return vs. investment is shocking low. (Reminder: Not my employer's fault.) The changes in my work were all for reasons I did. I signed up for several jobs and stayed on even though I recognized they were not meeting my financial needs. I need to do a better job placing a value on what my time is really worth with what I uniquely have to offer and not just accepting a wage in the name of "security". I've been looking for security in the wrong places. I need to find security in who God is, and who He says I am, and what I was created to do.
That's all for today! Come back tomorrow for Day 4!
Today's step was to read chapter 2 and boy was it a rich chapter and also some work to get through. One thing I learned that was an eye opener was that I love the seeds part of the growth cycle. At the school where I worked, my favorite part of my job was the anticipation as I would offer suggestions or ideas to children about things they could do in the future if it would interest them. I would sometimes say "you could be an artist" or "you could be a hair designer" and I love wondering about how all those ideas might be planted and grow into something amazing for the child. That's why I love watching Bob Harper on the Biggest Loser (true confessions). One year he said "I love day one, I love day one." and I totally get that because I love day one too. He plants the seeds of good fitness and health and nurtures them and then sends the contestants out into the world to live their lives.
I'm usually like the second caterpillar in the chapter wishing and resentful and I/that needs to change. In fact, another of the many things I was thinking after reading this chapter was what is the difference between positive and negative people. I realized that negative, controlling people (I would know because I have been both on the giving and receiving end) take away the offerings of other people. When I was negative I would not be taking suggestions from others on what they had to offer me. When I have been around negative people I have personally experienced giving and giving and giving and giving and not having my offerings acknowledged or accepted. Since I have also been thinking about work now as "what do I have to offer?" this has totally changed my perspective on being/working with negative people and engaging in negative people stuff. I do not want to be the person to negate anyone's offering, and as far as working with negative people I think there probably is a time and it must vary depending on the circumstances when you have to say, "I don't wish anything bad for you and I hope that things come into your life that help you out of this.
That's where God is so good because I have been realizing recently as a lot of good things have happened for me that I am guilty of showing contempt for God's kindness for others Romans 2:4 and I never want to do that again. God has brought so many many good things into my life to get me to a place where I can draw closer to Him.
Questions from "Day's Activity"
As far as national averages go I'm a little under target I think because I had one main job and lots of other little side jobs. I learned however I've been spending way too many hours of my week on work (more than 60 per week). Nothing against working hard but I think there is a way to make less amount of time more profitable because my return vs. investment is shocking low. (Reminder: Not my employer's fault.) The changes in my work were all for reasons I did. I signed up for several jobs and stayed on even though I recognized they were not meeting my financial needs. I need to do a better job placing a value on what my time is really worth with what I uniquely have to offer and not just accepting a wage in the name of "security". I've been looking for security in the wrong places. I need to find security in who God is, and who He says I am, and what I was created to do.
That's all for today! Come back tomorrow for Day 4!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Ok guys apologies as I had a full day and could not get some time until the end of it. So first off I want to let you all know that I asked other 48 days members on the forums at 48days.net as well as emailed Dan Miller to ask if blogging my way through his book was ok to do and he responded here with a vote of confidence and I really appreciate it. I will try to follow through with my commitment.
So today's lesson was amazing. I read chapter 1 and the question I will ponder the most from it is "What would be my greatest contribution to others?". I have never approached thinking about what I have to offer in this way. I usually focus on what I am good at doing and not what I have to offer others.
Here are my answers from that questions at the end of the chapter. If you have a copy of 48 Days To The Work You Love book you can get it out to follow along.
1. I got my first paid position at Trinity Baptist Church watching newborns during the Sunday evening service. I was 21 years old when I got my first job and I made probably something like 7.25 for the 1 hour each week.
2. The greatest value from the work I have done in my life so far has been being there for kids who you know are having a hard time at home or otherwise.
3. Before reading the intro and this chapter I would have said yes. Now I believe and know that the answer is no.
4. I do, but it may look differently than it does now.
5. Working with positive, supportive people. Something that makes a difference. Creativity encouraged.
6. When I was little, I would see myself telling everyone what to do, mostly in a family sort of way. Loving on babies etc.
7. Feeling like you were there for someone when they needed you. Feeling like you belong. Feeling like everything came together by a perfect plan and purpose. Feeling like you could just give someone a hug.
8. No. There definitely need to be some financial changes for the better. Also I love to learn about all kinds of different things so I want to learn more before the next five years.
These are my responses to the questions in the "Day's Activities"
So far work has been something I love but in the end something I do for money. Also my recent job search was focusing more on the money and not on the what do I have to offer. When I ask myself what I was "born to do" I do start thinking about some natural abilities I have noticed in myself such as learning languages, creativity, and business leadership skills. The work I have done so far has reflected what I was born to do only I haven't got to do it as much as I would like. In some of my part time jobs there were other assigned tasks that were not quite on topic as far as born to do goes. Differences in what I was born to do and my work also include having worked for and with (in the past) critical/demanding people. I think Dave Ramsey said in his book Entre Leadership that you should build people in your business around you that you like to work with, and support a culture that encourages that. I think that's right on.
Well I hope this is coherent as my eyes are about closing for needing to go to sleep but I'm feeling so good moving in a positive direction and I am thankful for your support. I'll see you all tomorrow for day 3!
So today's lesson was amazing. I read chapter 1 and the question I will ponder the most from it is "What would be my greatest contribution to others?". I have never approached thinking about what I have to offer in this way. I usually focus on what I am good at doing and not what I have to offer others.
Here are my answers from that questions at the end of the chapter. If you have a copy of 48 Days To The Work You Love book you can get it out to follow along.
1. I got my first paid position at Trinity Baptist Church watching newborns during the Sunday evening service. I was 21 years old when I got my first job and I made probably something like 7.25 for the 1 hour each week.
2. The greatest value from the work I have done in my life so far has been being there for kids who you know are having a hard time at home or otherwise.
3. Before reading the intro and this chapter I would have said yes. Now I believe and know that the answer is no.
4. I do, but it may look differently than it does now.
5. Working with positive, supportive people. Something that makes a difference. Creativity encouraged.
6. When I was little, I would see myself telling everyone what to do, mostly in a family sort of way. Loving on babies etc.
7. Feeling like you were there for someone when they needed you. Feeling like you belong. Feeling like everything came together by a perfect plan and purpose. Feeling like you could just give someone a hug.
8. No. There definitely need to be some financial changes for the better. Also I love to learn about all kinds of different things so I want to learn more before the next five years.
These are my responses to the questions in the "Day's Activities"
So far work has been something I love but in the end something I do for money. Also my recent job search was focusing more on the money and not on the what do I have to offer. When I ask myself what I was "born to do" I do start thinking about some natural abilities I have noticed in myself such as learning languages, creativity, and business leadership skills. The work I have done so far has reflected what I was born to do only I haven't got to do it as much as I would like. In some of my part time jobs there were other assigned tasks that were not quite on topic as far as born to do goes. Differences in what I was born to do and my work also include having worked for and with (in the past) critical/demanding people. I think Dave Ramsey said in his book Entre Leadership that you should build people in your business around you that you like to work with, and support a culture that encourages that. I think that's right on.
Well I hope this is coherent as my eyes are about closing for needing to go to sleep but I'm feeling so good moving in a positive direction and I am thankful for your support. I'll see you all tomorrow for day 3!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ok so today is day one, and I feel like I always do when I start out a project. I feel like I can do the whole project in one day, that I can read lots of chapters so it's hard for me to take my time and commit to the process of one day at a time. I think that was my problem last time, I just jumped in with crazy activity and then got overwhelmed with the information and not being able to figure it out so I stopped. I'm not going to do that this time.
Also last time I borrowed the book from the library so I didn't sign the commitment page. I bought the book this time, and signed it today and I'm blogging about it so hopefully I will have some accountability for finishing this time.
I read today that I should take Sundays and several Saturdays off so I will be doing that to follow the process.
The only thing I'm thinking about now is day 47. I don't know any millionaires or I don't know if some of the people I know are millionaires. How am I going to meet a millionaire?
I love the part in the book where it says that Americans are defined by what they do. I ask myself that question all the time "what am I going to do?" and recently when I have been job searching that's how I was approaching thinking about new jobs that I might be good at. Maybe the reason why American culture is criticized so much by people from other countries is for this reason that Miller points out "We are defined and valued in America by what we do. Unfortunately, the path to doing something often bypasses the basic questions about being something."
The part I'm most excited about on this journey is figuring out who I'm supposed to be not merely what I'm supposed to do. No wonder I've been so resistant to change over the course of my life. If what I'm doing is defining me then no wonder I freak out when something or someone comes along and tries to change that.
That's all I'm going to share with you today. Come back tomorrow for day two!
Also last time I borrowed the book from the library so I didn't sign the commitment page. I bought the book this time, and signed it today and I'm blogging about it so hopefully I will have some accountability for finishing this time.
I read today that I should take Sundays and several Saturdays off so I will be doing that to follow the process.
The only thing I'm thinking about now is day 47. I don't know any millionaires or I don't know if some of the people I know are millionaires. How am I going to meet a millionaire?
I love the part in the book where it says that Americans are defined by what they do. I ask myself that question all the time "what am I going to do?" and recently when I have been job searching that's how I was approaching thinking about new jobs that I might be good at. Maybe the reason why American culture is criticized so much by people from other countries is for this reason that Miller points out "We are defined and valued in America by what we do. Unfortunately, the path to doing something often bypasses the basic questions about being something."
The part I'm most excited about on this journey is figuring out who I'm supposed to be not merely what I'm supposed to do. No wonder I've been so resistant to change over the course of my life. If what I'm doing is defining me then no wonder I freak out when something or someone comes along and tries to change that.
That's all I'm going to share with you today. Come back tomorrow for day two!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Hi guys! This is the blog I just created to chronicle my journey through the book 48 Days To The Work You Love by Dan Miller. I want to be up front with you and say that I am a member to Dan Miller's site 48days.net and also I listen to his podcasts and read his blog from time
to time. I don't work for him, and I want to blog my journey through his book because I think it will provide me with some accountability so that I finish it.
This is not the first time I have picked up his book. I borrowed it from the library another time but, I wasn't serious, and didn't commit to the lessons or 30 minutes a day and eventually returned it without even finishing it. I'm coming back to it though, for several reasons.
I believe what Dan Miller says in his podcast, that it is possible to find work that is purposeful and profitable. I'm coming back to his book because the "and profitable" part is what I'm struggling with. I have loved the work I got to do at the Preschool where I worked. Basically, I was just underemployed. That means that the full time job I had needed to be supplemented with other part time jobs to be at where it could meet my needs.
I want to add that this was not my employers fault. The deal was I agreed to work for the wage offered me. Over time I had many raises and was given the chance to do many important things at the school for my employer however after hearing about Dave Ramsey, it was painfully obvious that I had to get some part time jobs because I had no traction financially speaking. I used his retirement calculator on his website and it predicted, at least I took it to mean, that provided nothing ever happened to me (i.e. never had to buy a new car, never had any major health events, etc.) I could expect to save 16,000 total for my retirement years. So I had to make a change.
Fast forward to today, I'm embarking on the 48 Days Journey and I want to blog about it because I want to be sure to finish it and I want to share it for accountability purposes. My plan is to spend thirty minutes on it during my day and then blog for thirty minutes about what I learned from what I read and what I plan to do about it.
This is not the first time I have picked up his book. I borrowed it from the library another time but, I wasn't serious, and didn't commit to the lessons or 30 minutes a day and eventually returned it without even finishing it. I'm coming back to it though, for several reasons.
I believe what Dan Miller says in his podcast, that it is possible to find work that is purposeful and profitable. I'm coming back to his book because the "and profitable" part is what I'm struggling with. I have loved the work I got to do at the Preschool where I worked. Basically, I was just underemployed. That means that the full time job I had needed to be supplemented with other part time jobs to be at where it could meet my needs.
I want to add that this was not my employers fault. The deal was I agreed to work for the wage offered me. Over time I had many raises and was given the chance to do many important things at the school for my employer however after hearing about Dave Ramsey, it was painfully obvious that I had to get some part time jobs because I had no traction financially speaking. I used his retirement calculator on his website and it predicted, at least I took it to mean, that provided nothing ever happened to me (i.e. never had to buy a new car, never had any major health events, etc.) I could expect to save 16,000 total for my retirement years. So I had to make a change.
Fast forward to today, I'm embarking on the 48 Days Journey and I want to blog about it because I want to be sure to finish it and I want to share it for accountability purposes. My plan is to spend thirty minutes on it during my day and then blog for thirty minutes about what I learned from what I read and what I plan to do about it.
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