Halfway Reflection: Tenacity & Paying It Forward - Week #8

Tenaciousness is a skill. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

·         By the time they get to read this, however, I would be sure and tell the student to listen to their adviser and not take more classes than they suggest. I personally am extremely tenacious, however, I have had to juggle 3 intense and rigorous classes this semester. I read on another blog someone calling some of our posts/emails “silly.” I could not disagree more. After being in the workforce for an extremely long time, I see the value in each one of these exercises and wished I had more time to really work them as they should be. I would suggest that if you take this class that you embrace the assignments and the topics with great enthusiasm and complete each assignment. Otherwise, you will have to do as I have done and play catch-up on yellow dig. While yellow dig is a great alternative, it is not near the value as our assignments. Make a plan and stick to your plan – and as Stephen Covey says, being with the end in mind. None of these assignments are difficult, however, they take time – time that we have to divide among all our other life’s activities, including other classes.

Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

·         I am not a quitter, so if I ever feel like giving up I must be extremely frustrated. Nonetheless, I felt like quitting because, as mentioned above, I overloaded my schedule this semester. However, I refused to do it. My fear is I will not get the grade of which I am capable, but at this point all I can do is “keep flying the plane.” I am intrinsically motivated, so while I haven’t developed a more tenancious attitude, I have depended on that character trait to keep moving me forward. Back in the day, we called it grit, and I don’t know if I was taught it, or if it is one of my personality traits. I do know you can develop new habits that can overcome the lack of traits that would sabotage your success. For me, I clearly want to succeed. I do not want to spend my time and brain cells (at my age) on something for which I expect to fail. Failure truly is an option and I have chosen to win.

Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset' ?

1.    Beat the Giant: I would say the first thing about fostering tenacity skills would be that there must be a paradigm shift. Instead of students just having an instructor dump knowledge into their brain, students must learn how to learn. That moves the student from a passive to an active role in their learning. As a child I heard the story of David and Goliath – a young boy battling, and defeating, the greatest, meanest giant in the land. For me, tenacity is about battling all the giants that threaten my success.

2.    Get outside your comfort zone: On occasion, I work out on my total gym. However, when I stop for a while I have to start all over again. It seems when I start looking a little better, and the reps get harder, I stop. I need to push harder and get past the wall in order to make the changes I want in my body and mind. So many people take the easy way out – getting outside your comfort zone will put you in an elite group of people who forged ahead when all others quit. Don’t just take the easy classes or do just enough to get by, stretch yourself, and challenge yourself to be the best.

3.    Sacrifice: Give up something that matters for something that matters more. I have 7 beautiful grandchildren and it kills me to have to tell them I cannot come visit. However, part of why I drive myself so hard to complete my degree at 62 years old, is to be an example of strength and tenacity for all of them to emulate. Education is extremely important to all of my family, and although I am missing out on precious moments, getting my degree is important to me. This takes time, dedication and willpower. You will be tempted to miss an assignment or a test – don’t do it. I promise it will be worth is all at the end of the journey.