2nd Reading Post

Chapter 5 speaks about leadership. We are all leaders- its just that some of us believe it and practice it and others just don't buy it! However, just like the "Good Book"(Bible) states- to be a leader is to be a servant- serve! I agree. In my life I try to share the knowledge with all those that will accept it. I try to help without expecting anything in return. By doing this I am not hurt or offended in anyway!

I try to step out into a universe of possibility. I am also trying to focus that no matter how bad it seems there is something good in it. In this course, I lost my entire thesis. To this day I do not know how it happened. It was on my desktop in a folder. I must admit that I wanted to quit- give up- yet a tiny flame inside kept pushing me. It has been a struggle due to other factors- I must confess (health, personal trials and family circumstances) yet I believe I will see the light. I believe in giving everything an "A". It is not an expectation but rather a possibility to live inside of.

In this chapter it also speaks about contribution. Leaders must contribute- I try. I try to contribute in every facet of my life. As a husband, father, teacher and citizen. Far from being perfect but always striving for that possibility. I want to make a difference- even if it is a tiny one!

However, we need to be careful, because sometimes in the role of leadership we might become victims of our own delusional superiority thoughts. In the beginning of the chapter it alludes to a conductor being "seduced by his public extraodinary attention" to what he has to offer. It is interesting in this chapter the stories that are told. Stories that we are bombarded with today in the news, of people that were bless with talent yet they become legends in their own minds and think and behave like they are above the rest.

We need to consider what we do- so that we do not become leaders that don't lead.

Lets keep life in perspective- look at the big picture, our surroundings.

Understand that in contributing to life there is no failure or success- there just "is"!

First Reading Week 2

The Art of Possibility- is great reading! I totally agree with the authors when they state circumstances become different when you look at them differently. There is a misconception that successful people do not have problems, that famous people are happy. The majority of people that have these views are people that aren't successful, famous or happy.

The cliche "if life gives you lemons make lemonade" is so "appropos" and the epitome of what this entire book is about. Basically, go with the flow, be determine, hopefully and thrive!

How you look at the water in the cup is going to determine your attitude in life. If you always look at the cup as being half empty your view on circumstances will be dim, sad and pessimistic. Where as if you look at the cup as being half full-your views on circumstance will radiate with hope and the positive views of circumstances in your life will be better.

I enjoy reading this book because it shed light on simple things, that are practical in helping us enjoy life to its fullest!

Regina Cain Full Sail MAC: Cain_Regina_Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility, ch 4-...

Wk2 comment:

Regina Cain Full Sail MAC: Cain_Regina_Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility, ch 4-...

Chapter 4. Being a Contribution: Over the years, I’ve observed how people handle various situations in their lives. People who succeed do not have fewer problems than people who fail. It is how they perceive issues and how they react to situations that makes a difference. The purpose of this chapter was to help us look at how we can contribute in order to make a difference in the lives of others even if it’s only one person. How will I be a contribution today?

One of the things my mother taught me was that it does not matter what happens in your life but your reactions to those happenings. I try to go through my life taking on new challenges and striving for new goals. Sometimes I do well and other times I fail. I enjoyed this chapter as it teaches that even failures can be contributions to make life better. The inner child that demand attention is sometimes hard to quiet though.

I try to be a contributor in everything I do, however, many times it is for selfish reasons. Like most people I love the recognition of being the only one able to fix something or the only one able to teach a certain software or how to use a particular confusing piece of hardware. The following chapters helped me to realize I can be a leader and contributor and allow others to shine.

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We’re all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people will influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?

I have strived in my life to give others recognition when they do something that contributes to goals that the team is trying to accomplish. This is a hard realization for me as I love being the center of attention. I love being in charge and giving orders. As I mom I find myself being very controlling at times. I liked the white sheet idea, I am trying to see how I can use it in group meetings or even presentations I give without it being redundant of the evaluations that are usually done. I will continue to strive giving others the opportunity to contribute in their own way and not taking over.

Chapter 6. Rule Number 6: Don’t take yourself so seriously. Life is a journey–enjoy and learn along the way. Live, laugh, and love!!

This chapter fits very well with chapter 4. The executive that put all the signs on the managers desk and his own was a wonderful role model. I see when we start to work on large projects that certain team members take themself too seriously. It also goes back to thinking outside the box. It would be nice to use the strategies of both these chapters at the beginning of any large project we work on as a team. I believe this would get the team to realize the potential of the group and achieve an amazing result.

Posted by Regina at 10:13 PM

2 comments:

Jeinine said...

Regina,

I enjoyed the set-up for this blog post. Reading The Art of Possibility has given me a lot of food for thought, too. It is good to reflect upon how we are operating in our daily lives. Yes, we tend to be self-centered at times. I agree with you, sometimes it is hard to "quiet" the inner child that seeks attention.

October 6, 2010 9:08 AM

elfig said...

Need to concur with you on your comments! I too, strive to be helpful in everything I can. Similar to your mom's saying, my mom always use to tell me "not to rush in growing older and to remember that in life it is now how you start your life but rather how you end in it". I also believe that there is so much stress in life because people are always in a rush to do "nothing".
One must enjoy life and its challenges. However, we are becoming a society of "rush". We are always in a rush. I was in NYC not too long ago and I was waiting for pedestrians to cross, I was overwhelmed at the hustle and bustle of the streets. People had on their "I need to be there" faces, pushing and just going at a walking speed that was unbelieveable.
It seem to be all about the "me" the self. I try very hard not to fall in that trap- however, when you are in all the time it becomes very hard!

October 8, 2010 8:07 AM

PONDERING ON TECHNOLOGY-Free Choice

I love technology, however, I have also come to hate it, a little! The way technology changes constantly is amazing. Here is a food for thought- are we better off with technology or without it? Back in the dinosaur age, we were force to write, think, self correct and actually pay attention to details. Today, we have word edit on word processing programs, we have email- texting, ichat,

video chat- you name it we have it. Yet, student performance in class has been plundering downward. My personal take is that technology is creating in "all" a comfort zone of "non" thinking. We type papers on the computer, we have the computer check for errors or grammar structure and "voila" its done. We shorten words by email or texting and "voila"- we don't need our brains "that " much.

We pay our bills online, we practically do everything online, which is good but there are some draw backs!

What is used for good is also used for bad. Identity theft are rampant due to hacking and personal funds from savings are also being stolen as well. So, where does it end? We create programs to help stop or avoid this and hackers create other programs to combat that and so forth.

I heard on the radio and read that there is a virus threat to "power plants" and other technical plants in Europe.

So --- What is the solution? WHO KNOWS! Well- just some food for thought- yet I can't get a clear signal in my kitchen or basement for my cell phone!

Free Choice:Testing Blog!

I am testing this blog, because my other ones disappeared. So I am testing, for a two fold purpose. One, to get its URL and Two, to make sure it works! Here it goes! Well, it has been a long year! Since last May, everything was "cooking". I was on a roll- everything in class was great- work was great- family was okay- and then...BAMMMM! I just don't know what happened. Health took a turn for the worst- "stress" at work- did not know if I would have a job due to government cuts- and financial chaos. Family- seem to be crumbling- my pet even died- after 14 years. It seem all that could go wrong went wrong. To top it off, I lost my thesis! That was weird, because I always try to keep backups or backups. Oh, I forgot- my backup drive went "kapuzz".

I read the book "The Art of Possibility" and it seems that it was written with me in mind. Reading it - inspires, and makes one reflect on different possibilities. It is sOOOOOO easy to quit! So, I am back- testing the waters and hoping for a positive outcome.