#31 A Blogger’s Retrospective: 2010 in Review

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli


It was back in May of this year when I made the decision to begin my first blog. I had 3 goals:

  • Experience a new (for me) aspect of social media
  • Develop and flesh out new ideas
  • Provide something worthwhile—not just another cyber rant

I believe I have accomplished the first and the second. It is up to you whether I have accomplished the third.

For this last-of-the-year post, I have returned to each of the 30 posts I have made to the blog—and provided a summary statement about each. Consider this a look back as we look ahead to the New Year. Perhaps a nugget or two will provide inspiration.

1.      Who are the Energy Vampires in Your Life?

  •  Find and associate with nutritious people who listen to you, are glad to see you, and are not attempting to refashion you into a version they like.

2.      Social Media–Know when and how to use it

  • Social media is not a fad; it is not going away.  

3.       Moving from Unremarkable to REMARKABLE!

  • If we want to change—if we want to grow into a REMARKABLE life—we have to have  courage, take  action, embrace risk, have an appropriate attitude, and understand it takes time.

4.      A Value Without Virtue Can Be Dangerous

  • As you confront life’s challenges nurture and draw on these virtues: courage, fortitude, patience, generosity, honesty, and humility.

5.      When is being selfish not being selfish?

  • I suggest you think about being “selfish”—that is, spend time strengthening and maintaining balance in YOUR life.

6.      “Balance Is Not Necessarily Even”

  • We have six dimensions in our lives: social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional.

7.      Where is the Line for “APPROPRIATE” Behavior–and Who Draws the Line?

  • Is civility a casualty of informality and shock value?

8.      Finding Your Happy Place

  • Where is your “happy place”? Where do you find solace, energy, reflection, and growth?


9.      PRIDE for Life

  • Life success is all about acting with   P.R.I.D.E.!

10.  Has Connection Created Disconnection?

  • It is a new world—for better or worse.  I still appreciate talking eyeball to eyeball without the interference of a piece of machinery.

11.  Help Others Find Their Happy Places

  • How do you help, friends, family, and colleagues find their happy places?

12.  An Attitude of Gratitude

  • I have NOTHING to whine about!

13.  Are there words we should NEVER say—and who makes that decision?

  • Civility—or political correctness gone awry?

14.  “IZE” on Your Future

  • Live your passion: Visualize, Prioritize, Exorcise, Exercise, and Realize.

15.  Offensive or Remarkable?

  • Safe is risky!

16.  How Big Is Your BUT?

  • What excuses are you allowing to hold you back from reaching your dream?

17.  Is Multitasking a Myth?

  • While we may be doing two things at the same time, the research suggests, at the very least, effectiveness has been significantly compromised.

18.  Crab Pot Mentality!

  • Put distance between you and the haters in your life.

19.  Today-Tomorrow-Yesterday

  • Results come about because of work I have done (or not done), positions I have placed myself in (or not), and relationships I have nurtured (or ignored).

20.  Don’t Let Anyone Take Your Passion

  • “Illegitimi non carborundum.” Loosely translated: Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

21.  Goals, Failure, and Choosing to Move Forward

  • Set huge outrageous goals (HOGs): Do not to settle for something that will not allow you to take advantage of your best efforts.

22.  What’s Important to You?

  • Ask yourself: What should I STOP doing; KEEP doing: and START doing?

23.  No Promises

  • We are not promised next year, next weekend, or the next hour.  Make the most of each day.

24.  Words for Reflection

  • Quotes can be trite and meaningless—or powerful reminders and motivators.

25.  Know Your Boundaries–Know Your Limits

  • Boundaries tell people how far they can go with another person.  Limits clearly tell people what you will do or will not do. 

26.  Free Hugs and Thank Yous

  • Take a moment and say “thank you” for the many things people do all around us. Once again, enjoy this video and song.  

27.  Take a Good Look America, Take A Good Look World

  • Consider if instead of living down to stereotypes, we created a new schema with which to interact with our world. 

28.  Ustabees, Liketodos, and Willtodos.

  • Identify one liketodo in your life—and change it to a willtodo.

29.  We Never Know the Impact We Have

  • Even the smallest thing we say or do can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us.

30.  Wisdom is…

  • What wisdom have you gained that will make ours a better world?

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

 

Posted in retrospective | 1 Comment

#30 Wisdom is….

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

I first became aware of Andrew Zuckerman’s book Wisdom: 50 Unique and Original Portraits when a friend sent me the Wisdom Trailer—a nearly 6 minute video montage of people sharing short clips of wisdom. At least, sharing wisdom from their perspective.  

Most are eloquent in their simplicity. Whether it is Bill Withers saying “You can’t go from not being able to function to running the whole show”; or Rosamunde Pilcher reminding us “You don’t stop doing things because you get old. You get old because you stop doing things”; or Andrew Wyeth and Ravi Shankar saying, “We have to love something deeply”, the insights are poignant.

Wisdom does NOT necessarily come with knowledge. I know a lot of “educated” people who do foolish things on a regular basis.

Wisdom does NOT necessarily come with age. I have met some very wise young students.

Wisdom is NOT conferred with power. Election to political office does not wisdom make.

Wisdom is definitely not bought with money nor does it come from hanging around the “pretty people” (whoever they may be).

Wisdom DOES come from experience—and learning from that experience.

Wisdom DOES show when one responds to a situation rather than reacts to a situation.

Wisdom IS recognizing that my solution is A solution—but it is NOT necessarily THE solution.

Wisdom knows that power is NOT the same thing as authority.

What wisdom do you have to share with the world? If you are a parent, what do you want your children to understand? If you are a leader, what do you want your colleagues to grasp?  As a citizen of your community, what have you learned/experienced that (at least in your estimation) will make this a better world?

In this season of giving, please share your wisdom.

 

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

Posted in wisdom | 20 Comments

#29 We Never Know the Impact We Have

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

My student success classes have had a theme for the past few years: What is your dream—and what are you doing to get to your dream?  During our final class meeting of the term, students have an opportunity to share the progress they have made. It always proves to be an emotional session—and one of the most fulfilling of the semester.  For me, there are generally two takeaways:

  • It is about them in a very good way. For some of my students—especially my “older” (i.e., non-traditional college aged) female students—this is the first time they have really thought seriously about their dream.  Most of their lives, they have focused on other people (husbands, children, parents, friends). Now they concentrate on what they want from life for themselves.  No, this is NOT an exercise in selfishness.  Rather it proves to be an affirmation that they have talents, aspirations, and life. They have been given “permission” to think of themselves. Believe me when I say this is a very emotional—almost cathartic—moment. I cannot tell you how many times students have tearfully said something to the effect of “I almost gave up on college. I didn’t think I deserved this.” They are so proud of what they have accomplished in the semester.
  • We never know the impact we have.  My students find their inspiration from many sources. Some dig within; some have a deep spiritual connection.  Others draw on those around them. It is obvious they are carefully listening and observing—turning to positive role models as well as running from the negative ones. Here are four of the most powerful student reflections I have heard over the semesters.
    • One student said, “I had nothing most of my life and still I listen to a mother full of excuses…I chose school over being strung out or selling dope…I chose school because I want to live!”
    • A young student said, “I’ve never had a role model and I’ve never had anyone telling me that I could be anything in life. But what I did have were people that were nothing and were simply a statistic.”
    • “My mother’s past always becomes the present because she keeps doing the same things.” Wow, that is insightful.
    • A mother told the class how her family was actually jealous of her investing time in school.  When she considered giving up, she said she thought about my encouragements and exhortations in class. And she focused on one word in the title of our textbook: “CHOICES.”  Those two things kept her going at the most difficult time of her semester. She completed a VERY successful term.

Even the smallest thing we say or do can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us. We never know the impact we have.

Posted in Impact | 8 Comments

#28 Ustabees, Liketodos, and Willtodos

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

In Commitment and Positive Attitudes, Paul Sims warns,

Beware of the “ustabees.”  They swarm out of stale, inflexible
attitudes that argue for doing things the way it used to be! Protect
yourself by focusing on  what is NOW.

Sometimes a touch of nostalgia may cause us to yearn for the way something used to be done in the past. Or a change in leadership (at work, in the nation) may bring a yearning for the way the previous leader used to do things. Or maybe a couple remembers how the romance in their relationship used to be years ago.  Living in the past—remembering the “good ol’ days—can keep us mired in ruts, anger, and inaction.

While the ustabees can be major demotivators, there is another success stopper. I call it the liketodos.  They will stop you as quickly as a cop at a speed trap.

  • I’d liketodo more days at the gym.
  • I’d liketodo a few more hours of sleep each night.
  • I’d liketodo more things with my kids.
  • I’d liketodo anything other than this!

You get the idea.  The liketodos keep us stuck in the present with virtually no movement. A lot of talk; maybe even some gnashing of the teeth.  But we remain in neutral; no movement.  Excuses rule as we rationalize what we would like to do but just never get around to doing.  If you find yourself in this trap consider you future with NO change; just excuses and a lot of liketodos. What does it look like?  Satisfied with that picture?

So, let’s replace the liketodos with the willtodos—have the will to do what you say you would like to do.  Take action. Move forward. Do something! Remember that ambition and potential are useless without initiative.  Consider your future with NO liketodos; just the willtodos and change. Jim Collins encourages his readers to establish BHAGs: Big Hairy Audacious Goals. In my book, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff (2nd edition) I suggest students embrace their HOGs (Huge Outrageous Goals). BHAGs and HOGs require you to stretch yourself. And then take action.  As Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.”

Before the end of this day, identify one liketodo in your life—and change it to a willtodo.

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

 

Posted in Excuses | 5 Comments

#27 Take a Good Look, America. Take a Good Look, World

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

While enjoying dinner with a few colleagues at the Iron Cactus in Austin, Texas one of my friends blurted out, “There’s a cat on a dog! And there is a rat on the cat!”  My immediate thought—no more margaritas for Robb.  He repeated, “There’s a cat on a dog! And there is a rat on the cat!” We looked out the window—and indeed, there WAS a rat on a cat on a dog. Right there on the corner of Trinity and 6th Street.

The animals—Booger, Kitty, and Mousey—travel with Greg Pike. (You can find information including a video at http://bestpeacesign.com/.) After I snapped a couple of cell phone photos, I spoke briefly with Greg and asked him the question that he probably has been asked a thousand times—“Are they drugged?”  Nope said Greg. They have become constant companions. Rather than fighting like cats and dogs (and rats), the mellow animals accept and, in some ways, care for one another.  Greg shared that people generally ask a second question, “If they can do it why can’t we?”

The Austin street scene reminded me of a video I have used on occasion in class.  A couple of years ago, CBS News did a piece on an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. The animals there tend to pair up and peacefully live out their lives. There is one odd couple, though: Tara and Bella.  Tara is a gargantuan elephant; Bella, a shaggy mutt.  The dog and pachyderm are inseparable. What a site to see them side by side. More amazing: Watching Tara pet Bella’s belly with her enormous foot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U).

I know, I know. Animals are not people; nature can be very cruel to animals; these are anomalies.  Yes, we can explain away most anything we want to—especially if it does not fit into our existing view of the world.

But why not, even if for a moment, sit back and wonder what it would be like to look past the differences.  Consider if instead of living down to stereotypes, we created a new schema with which to interact with our world.  Naïve? Perhaps. The CBS clip challenges us to “take a good look, America. Take a good look, world. If they can do it, why can’t we?” It goes beyond “tolerance”—right to “acceptance.”

This week, help someone see beyond difference and accept the similarities we share. You will make it a better world.

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

Posted in acceptance | 8 Comments

#26 Free Hugs and Thank Yous

Posted on November 21, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

A song video and a magazine column inspired this post.

This past week I shared a moving video with my students.  Passed on to me by a colleague, “Free Hugs” , is a wonderfully touching montage of young people smiling and offering to share a hug with passersby in an Italian square. With Alexandra Burke’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah” this video can make you smile, cry, and melt. Find 3 minutes and 38 seconds, sit back, watch, listen, and enjoy!  Some may call the video sappy and sentimental; maybe that is what we can use more of these days.

I also read a great piece in this month’s Fast Company. Nancy Lublin argues that the most underused and basic management tool is a simple “Thank you!”

And so, with those in mind and Thanksgiving around the corner, I would like to offer a thank you and a cyber hug to those who many times are forgotten—or worse yet, ignored.  I sometimes refer to them as the “invisible people.”  These are the folks who quietly do their jobs; those we may take for granted; the people who make our world a little better each day.  So, in no particular order, I would like to say “Thank You” to just a few of these kind folks:

  • The secretaries and office clerks who make their companies purr. They do the work that makes the corporation, the campus, the store function.
  • The custodians who keep the facilities clean and operational.  I have told my students on more than one occasion: without our custodial crew there would be no school.
  • The cashiers who see their share of grumpy people mindlessly paying for their purchases.  One cashier on our campus brings a smile to my face each day because of the bright smile on her face. (Thank you, Sabrina!)
  • The deli clerks, pharmacy clerks, and drive through attendants who make our day move a little smoother.
  • The airport van drivers around this nation who schlep us to our flights and help us with our bags.
  • The person who lets you merge into her lane of traffic. ‘nough said!

And the list can—and should—go on and on and on.  Obviously, we are thankful for our families and friends (though we need to make them really know it on a regular basis). We are thankful for God and the many blessings that come our way.  But tomorrow, take a moment and say “thank you” for the many things people do all around us. Let them know you see them and that you appreciate them.

May you, your family, your friends, and your community have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

Posted in Gratitude | 4 Comments

#25 Know Your Boundaries–Know Your Limits

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

A few weeks ago, my wife left a book on my desk. On the cover was a sticky note that said “Excellent!” The book: The Anger Solution: The Proven Method for Achieving Calm and Developing Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships (John Lee, Da Capo Press, 2009).  (Hmm…  A subtle message to me?  But I digress.)

 Actually, it is an excellent book. Lee writes about the difference between anger and rage. He maintains that anger is an essential emotion that most people experience weekly, if not daily.  “If anger is expressed appropriately,” Lee writes, “it equals energy, intimacy, and peace of mind. But unhealthy/destructive [his emphasis] is what causes everyone pain.”  Destructive anger is rage—what Lee labels as an action or a behavior as opposed to the emotion of anger.

The book examines why people fly into rage—become addicted to it; and what can be done to control or eliminate rage. While rage might feel good at the time, it weakens the person raging and the person on whom the rage is dumped.

Lee explains in great detail how to recognize the onset of rage, understand why it is occurring, and how to move away from it. He calls his method “The Detour Method.” 

While the entire book is compelling, one part grabbed my attention in particular. In describing The Detour Method, Lee devoted a number of pages to the concepts of “boundaries” and “limits.”  At first, I felt he was playing a semantic game. After all, if I set a boundary is that not a limit?  It took me a couple of reads to understand the difference.  Let me do my best to explain how setting boundaries and understanding limits can make for a more satisfying life.

 

Boundaries

Boundaries show where we “begin and end” according to Lee. They let others know what is acceptable and unacceptable.  They tell people how far they can go with another person.  When boundaries are clearly established, there is no ambiguity. 

Example: Dominic takes Marie on a date. Nice dinner, movie, a couple of drinks later in the evening.  Marie let Dominick know before the date, that this would be an evening to enjoy each other’s company—but nothing else. No invitation to come inside; no sexual encounter.  Just dinner and conversation and friendship.  That is a clearly set boundary. Marie has let Dominic know what acceptable and unacceptable behavior is on the date.

Example: Professor Serra tells his students they can contact him by email or his campus phone. He will answer students as soon as he possibly can.  He will not, however, take any phone calls at his home. He has set a clear boundary for his students.

Example: The boss expects all employees to be present for the staff meeting.  That is, they need to be physically and mentally in the room.  The new rule: All phones will be in the OFF position. There will be NO texting, NO phone calls, and NO web surfing during a meeting. NO exceptions!

Lee maintains that “boundaries can reduce tension, friction, and misunderstanding…we don’t have to worry about encroachment, abandonment, invasion, or oppression.”  They tell people where they can go or not go as it relates to you.

Limits

Limits let people know how far you will go. They clearly tell people what you will do or will not do.  If established correctly, people are not left guessing about what to expect from you. People without clearly established limits will end up giving more (physically, emotionally, occupationally) than they want to give. This can result in resentment, hurt feelings, or even rage.  But, you do it to yourself.

Example:  Janni has a son, Josh, who is in middle school. She gladly and lovingly makes him a nutritious lunch each day. However, lately, Josh forgets his lunch two or three times a week. He calls home from school and Janni runs the lunch to him. Finally, Janni told Josh she would no longer bring his lunch to school. If he forgets it, he will not have lunch that day.  Sure enough, the next day, Josh forgot his lunch; he called home; and Janni calmly told him she would not be able to bring his lunch to the school. She had set a limit on what she would do.

Example. Professor Yotch told her students she will read any and all rough drafts of their papers up to 3 days before the due date. After that she will not take them as she will need to devote time to her other class assignments.  Anything that comes in after that deadline will be returned to the student without comment.  She has maintained this policy for the last four semesters.

Example: Jerry has been car pooling with Tony for the past few months. Tony insists on talking on his cell phone and texting while driving. Jerry has told Tony this is not safe and has asked him to stop. Tony continues his unsafe practices. Jerry will no longer car pool with Tony.

One way that I keep the two clear in my mind is to consider that boundaries are for others and limits are for me. As I read Lee’s book I thought about the times that I have been angry and frustrated with others because they caused me to lose time/work late/take on extra tasks. In many of those instances, as I think back, it was because I did not establish a clear boundary for them or a clear limit for myself. Boundaries and limits can be adjusted along the way based on additional information. But for them to be effective and healthy they have to be clear to both us and those with whom we live and work.

Posted in boundaries and limits | 8 Comments

#24 Words for Reflection

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

This past week I spent a considerable amount of time in airports and on planes. In between navigating TSA checkpoints, checking in with ticket agents, waiting in lines to board planes, looking for luggage in the baggage claim areas, eating bad airport food, and searching for ground transportation (it all sounds so glamorous, doesn’t it!) I had the chance to catch up on a lot of backed up reading.  As I rooted through some old emails, a new book (The Anger Solution by John Lee…the stuff for another blog…), and some journal articles, I came across a number of quotes; some ancient, some old, some recent.

Quotes can be powerful reminders and motivators. They can also become trite and meaningless if repeated like so many bumper stickers.  So with the intent of the first point above (motivation) and at risk of the latter (banalities), I would like to offer a few of the ones that struck me as I went about my travels.  Below each quote, I offer a few words of my own. 

Feel free to share a favorite quote of your own.

  •        Every course, every program, every college is perfectly designed to get the results it is currently getting.—Byron McClenny, University of Texas
    Think about it, the results we get come from what we do, where we do it, whom we do it with (or choose not to do it with), and how we do it.   Einstein said something like if we keep doing things the same way but expect different results that is the definition of insanity.  Speaking of Einstein….
  •        Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.—Albert Einstein
    We can get so caught up in doing something and being somebody that we can lose sight of why we are doing what we are doing. Are we making a difference in the world? Do we add value to the lives around us?  I once read this advice. Rather than asking a new acquaintance, “What do you do for a living?” ask “What do you offer?”  That will catch attention!  What do you offer? What do I offer? 
  •        I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.—Plutarch
    Do not surround yourself with “yes” people. We need honest people around us who will help us understand what we do well—and what we need to tweak or totally change. Years (decades) ago, I had the good fortune to meet a school administrator from Massachusetts. Leo said that the “yes” people of an organization do everyone a disservice. They will, Leo said, “Lead you down the primrose path to destruction.”
  •     The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.—Chinese Proverb
    What are you waiting for?  As I said in a previous blog post, “Today is the tomorrow you created yesterday.”
  •      When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.—Ilan Shamir (From “Advice from a Dog”)
    Our dog, Buddy, lives these words. Each day, each moment, is full of wonder.  Whatever the day may bring, greet your loved ones with open arms, a smile, and a kind word. Heck, really shake them up and wag your tail a couple of times! It is pretty simple. Woof!

 © Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

Posted in Reflection | 3 Comments

(#23) No Promises

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

I did not know Analiza Gobaton but her life had a profound impact on mine last week. Or, should I say, her death had a powerful impact.

You see, last week, Ms. Gobaton was on her way to her children’s school to attend an awards ceremony.  A mother of three; taking time to support her children. It was a beautiful spring day as she sat in traffic.  Without warning, she was caught (an innocent bystander and victim) in the middle of a reported shoot out in broad daylight. She was hit by a bullet and died a few days later in a local hospital (http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-10-25/story/jacksonville-mom-killed-stray-bullet-while-driving-mass-and-kids-awards).

She was in the wrong place on her way to do the right thing.

I am not sure why this story has affected me as it has.  It is one of far-too-many accounts of violence and senseless mayhem we hear of each day in the news.  Perhaps it was the randomness of the act. Maybe it was the thought of her children who will now grow up without their mother. Or it might be that her husband is now without his partner, his love.

More than anything else, the tragic act reminded me that we are not promised anything in our world.  We are not promised next year, next weekend, or the next hour.  Even if we are doing all the right things, there are no guarantees.

“OK,” you may say, “that’s pretty obvious!”  Yes it is. And sometimes the obvious is lost or forgotten in the rush of things.  We get caught up in life—and in the mean time, we forget about life. It can become easy to overlook what is important; what really matters.

In an article titled “Seize the Day,” Derek Lin (http://www.taoism.net/articles/seizeday.htm) provides a visual reminder that each day is a gift—and if we decide to misuse that gift, it is gone forever.  He uses the metaphor of a grid. Think of a piece of graph paper (something like you might use in a math class) with the numbers 1 through 12 down the left side. These represent the months of a year.  Across the top are the numbers 1 through 31; these are the days of the month.


At the end of each day, place an “X” in the box that corresponds to that day of the year.  It is a reminder that no power on earth or in heaven can give us that day back. It is gone forever.

As you place your “X” in the box tonight, ask yourself a couple of questions: “Did I use this day wisely?” “Did I make the world a better place?” “Did I move closer to a dream?”  Lin challenges his readers to ask, “How many of these grids do I have left?” 

The answer to the last question is “Nobody on earth really knows.”

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.
Posted in Gratitude | 8 Comments

#22 What’s Important to You?

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Steve Piscitelli

We have just reached the halfway point of our fall semester on campus. Students have completed their midterm exams; faculty are evaluating those exams and planning for the remainder of the semester.  While it is a time of a lot of work, it is also a great time for reflection on the road traveled and the road ahead.

Below you will find an email I sent to all of my students earlier this morning.  I did this last term as well. (If I do it again next semester, I guess I will be able to call it a tradition!) The advice below can be beneficial to all of us.  We have busy lives; let’s take a moment and reflect on where we are and where we would like to be.

Here is my note to my students:

Good morning, Scholars.

 Congratulations! You have reached the halfway point of the semester. You have completed eight weeks–and you have as many weeks left.  You are, in reality, eight weeks closer to your dreams. As a favor to yourself, please do the following at this point as you get ready for the week ahead:

  • Stop–find 5 or 10 minutes and get away by yourself. A quiet room; the campus library or cafeteria; your car; a quiet park; the beach; or even the bus….someplace that you do not have to talk with anyone else. Turn off your phone–or at least put it someplace where you will not hear or see it. This is just time for you.
  • Reflect–consider your dream–the reason you say you are in college. Perhaps this dream is closer than ever–or maybe it feels further away than ever.  Remember why the dream is important to you; why you want to do it/reach it.  Has anything changed in your life that now causes you to look at the dream in a different manner?
  • Evaluate–are you doing what you need to do to get to your dream?  Are you letting other things or other people get in the way of your dreams?  Are you making choices that are sabotaging your dreams? Are you satisfied with the progress you are making?  What can you do to stay on track–or get back on track?
  • Ask–3 questions of yourself:
    • What should I STOP doing?
    • What should I KEEP doing?
    • What should I START doing?
  • Mentor–find someone who can be of assistance; someone with the wisdom who can help you get closer to your dream.  Perhaps YOU can, also, mentor someone who needs your wisdom.
  • Commit–once you know what you want and need to do–DO IT!

You have traveled a long way this term. Do you want someone else or something else to determine where you will end up? Be proud of your efforts; be proud of your commitment; be proud of the work you will do in the weeks ahead.  See the dream…your dream…and move toward it.

 See you in class, scholars!

© Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog, 2010.

Posted in Reflection | 14 Comments