Attacking Acrophobia.

The Lapdog retreat was a very unique experience for me and I’m sure for many others. I dealt with leadership well and learned to share the leadership throughout the group. Obviously, not everyone could lead or we’d have chaos. It taught me that I should always be active and helpful, but not to get in the way when I’m not needed. It helped to cope with being given directions whereas typically, most of us like to give them. I want to improve with speaking out and at least giving suggestions when the opportunity arises.

I found it difficult both trusting myself and others during the retreat. I was confident and not afraid, but the fact of being eighty feet in the air in a group of seven was slightly discomforting. I knew I could do it but as soon as our guide said we couldn’t use our harness and rope as support, I panicked. We had to be alert at all times or someone or something would have failed. Even though I felt insecure at times, I felt that being trusted was much easier than putting my trust in someone else. It gives you a better sense of security.

I loved the course when our guide blindfolded two members of our team. It really tested our focus and taught us how to give good directions.

Acher’s Five Habits to Improve Optimism:

1.      Write down three new things you’re grateful for each day.

2.      Write 2 minutes a day describing one positive experience you had in the past day.

3.      Exercise for 10 minutes a day.

4.      Meditate for 2 minutes.

5.      Write a short email first thing in the morning thanking a member of your team.

Acher’s video was awesome. I’d definitely be willing to try out his challenge.

"A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths." -Steven Wright

Let's Get This Party Started.

Thank goodness we were assigned this particular task. Not that I’m underprepared but I’m almost positive a majority of things we need to do I would have done wrong. Going into this new mentorship, I have trained myself to answer all the questions and predict what will be asked. But little did I know I needed to walk in with questions. The handout gave us many topics to talk about and it showed me that one goal is to create and continue conversation. And from that, I learned that I don’t need to go in expecting to gain something, but to give something. Rewards come with a giving mindset, right?

The podcast could not stress enough our job as listeners. Not only listening, but comprehending. Just like we all learned from our dreadful driving courses, “our reaction time has to be quick.” We all tend to get sidetracked, but in our new jobs we have to be focused (but have fun with whatever you do).

The podcast also gave us an excellent guideline for our first task: understanding our job as a mentor. Which seems drastically important if you ask me. Asking questions, researching our job, attending orientations are all fantastic ways to learn our whereabouts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS! FIRST IMPRESSIONS! FIRST IMPRESSIONS! Another thing that could not be stressed enough. As I was listening to the podcast, I found four things I hope and plan to do as I go into my job: (1) Be positive and enthusiastic; (2) Dress professionally; (3) Speak up; and (4) learn names (which will probably be the hardest).

Overall, I am so thankful for the opportunity that's being handed to me and I cannot wait to explore this new year with Honors Mentorship. Let's do this!