Opportunity

 1.) How do you use your time? We all mean well at the beginning of each day, but somehow we get off track and waste so much of it. What stands in your way of using your time wisely?

I feel like I don’t use my time as wisely as I could all the time. Of course, I take time to do homework and to study, but sometimes I think I could be doing these things for a little longer than I do. It’s usually my phone or my friends that get in the way. 

2.) Think back on your previous leadership experiences. In 2 paragraphs (4-6 sentences), describe a time that you missed out on an opportunity. How did it make you feel? Do you regret missing the opportunity? What will do next time to ensure your don't miss any opportunities?

There was talk about a club being created at my high school and it was an open idea from a teacher who would sponsor the club, however, they just needed student leaders. I was a super big procrastinator then (I still am now, just not as bad) and let myself put it off without thinking about what would happen if I didn’t jump on it. I ended up missing the opportunity and regretted procrastinating. 

This made me feel really frustrated with myself because I felt like I let myself down. I do regret missing this opportunity because I realized after the fact how much closer I would have felt to the actual community at my school and how much the experience would have positively impacted me. If I were put in a similar situation, I would probably jump on the offer after making sure it’s something I could genuinely spend my time on. 

3.) Why do you think so many of us simply waste so much of our time? Why don't we value it?

I think so many people waste so much of their time because they might not genuinely enjoy what they are doing or they lack the motivation to finish the task at hand (you could enjoy something, but not have the motivation to complete it). Sometimes we let it slip from our mind how little time we have and how easy it is for someone else to make that time shorter.

4.) List the ways you seize opportunities and make the most of your time each day? Also, incorporate how you hold yourself accountable. What are your accountability measures?

I don’t like to stay inside a lot because my mindset is that new things await outside or somewhere new. Even though I like to sleep in occasionally, I do like to wake up at a decent time and “seize the day”. I learned very quickly that if an opportunity arises and I show interest in that opportunity, I should at least try to take advantage of it even if it doesn’t work out in the end. This goes along with accountability because if I have already committed to something, I don’t necessarily want to leave that commitment behind. I think it helps you learn from your mistakes and successes if you hold yourself accountable. Once I commit to something, I give my all to make sure I can finish it, and if I can’t finish it, I at least do as much as I can to finish it. 

5.) Can you quickly name your top priorities? What are they at work, at school, and at home?

My priorities are keeping good grades and staying close to my family and friends. I also like to prioritize time to myself to make sure I am able to be there for my family and friends as the best Tara Ann I can be.

Emotional Fuel

 1.) In two paragraphs (4-6 sentences in each paragraph), discuss a time when someone or a group of individuals fueled you emotionally. Was it one person or a group of people? When did this take place? What did they say or do to fuel you? Did they create a shared vision with you? Utilize your "ME" diagram and your class notes to guide your response. 

There’s been a lot of times that I have felt emotionally fueled by someone or a group of individuals. One instance was the situation that made me decide Special Education would be a really successful career path for me. I participated in a peer mentor class with the Special Needs students at my school and they changed my perspective on how I viewed those who were different than myself. This was my sophomore year of high school, so being an active participant in this class changed not only my future but also my present-mindset. They all just wanted to have fun, and after experiencing the loss of one of their peers, it was like their shared vision also included making sure they had positivity in their day so if something were to happen, nothing would feel wasted. 

Another time where I felt emotionally fueled was when I participated in theatre in high school. Although I found the people I was around to be very toxic at times (so this isn't my best example), they were also some of the most supportive people I was around throughout high school. At your lowest points, they surrounded you and rallied behind you. The shared vision was to create the typical 'theatre family' and to make our show the best it could be. This experience truly fueled me to stay motivated with what I was doing and kept me emotionally involved in our shows and other activities.

2.) Why do you think we need accountability and support in our lives as leaders?

If we don’t hold ourselves accountable, we aren’t being true to ourselves nor to those who may be trying to follow us. When you don’t hold yourself accountable, people aren’t going to want to support you. Without support, the program you are trying to start may lack in members which won’t get a lot off the ground and happening. Support and accountability are very important to have in a leader’s life. 

3.) A frequently quoted proverb says, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. List ways one person can sharpen another person in a relationship.

Providing constructive criticism could sharpen another person in a relationship, but you have to be careful that this doesn’t come off as just criticism. Also, noting the good things and not *just* the bad things is important as well. If you’re constantly picking out JUST the negative things in others you’re not sharpening them, you’re probably putting them down. 

4.) How does using symbolic language/images and being unique provide emotional fuel to others?

When you are being unique, you are proving to others that you don’t need to be apart of a big group where everyone is doing the same thing all the time to be a leader and to have your own set of values. By using symbolic language or images, you are (hopefully) leaving a mark and providing something for others to look onto - sharing your values. 

5.) What are the weak spots where you need the counsel of others in your life? Are there areas where you feel you have an empty tank?

In general, I feel like everyone at some point is going to need the counsel of others in their life. Personally, I feel like when I start something new or when I revisit something that maybe didn’t end so well last time I tried it, I’d want people around me to help guide me or offer some constructive criticism. I feel like I might have an empty tank when it comes to sharing how I feel towards others - whether it’s about their work, my work, our work as a whole, or just something personal.