The thing about tenacity like any other skill is you can learn it pretty quickly but it requires consistency which is about as common as a college student without debt. But given this class lets you learn how to achieve that consistency by waving the threat of grades above one's head, you do get to learn some new tricks.
My Habits
In my case, writing has come hand in hand with my other classes. As a journalism student currently taking reporting, there is a sense of deadline that you learn to dread that is very easy to cross apply, so knowing when things are due and how to do them is crucial. The biggest behavior change would be to constantly reflect on the assignment throughout the day, not so much as a way to actually fixate and finish but to incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into my everyday life.
The peak of give-up culture
The biggest give up moment in the past class and in this one is the week of the pitches. It's one thing to work on the research and interviews and organize the information, but the organization of a video and jumping the hoops to posting it just brings levels of procrastination at every point, dragging out to where you either accept the points lost or feel that this is going too far when it's just a simple presentation. I was unable to conduct my pitch as I had no formal clothes alongside a reporting assignment that took my time away from video production, but I knew that continuing would provide me incredible opportunities and I would be able to organize for the second pitch.
Tips
First, figure out a simple way to integrate the bug list question mindset daily. Is something bothering you? make a mental note and maybe even start to think of who might this effect or what can solve it. Don't go overboard with it all, but just make it a casual thought process.
Second, let go of the idea that your solution is the only way. I may have taken a political theory class and when you are confronted with the hard hitting questions of society's fundamental truths in organizing, you tend to realize there are good reasons other ideas exist. Don't be single minded, and stay open to the thought that someone else may just have the insight that cracks the issue wide open.
Finally, the tenacious mindset is a simple Zen exercise. When you realize something doesn't work, you cannot fixate upon the failure as it will only prolong the hurt. Learn to move on and try again, and each attempt you make is a boundless moment for the opportunity to simplify someones life.
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that there is no need or benefit to focus on the failure. It is important to acknowledge it, analyze it to see where to correct for next time, and simply try to apply that lesson to the next attempt. Self-punishment is not a way to cultivate success. I also agree that it is so important to try and live with the mindset that other people, even people that you disagree with on an issue, can have valuable insight that just may teach you a thing or two.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to first begin by acknowledging your Jack Black reference, it brought a smile to my morning.
ReplyDeleteI also felt that recognition of deadlines, and establishing a good sense of time and awareness is crucial if you want to succeed and pass in this course; I was in IB for my high school education, so this sense of time has always been crucial to me. It will continue to be crucial in adult life for anyone trying to succeed in the world.