Assignment 14A- Halfway Reflection

Assignment 14A- Halfway Reflection

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

1. So I actually love the format of this class. The weekly assignments and lecture-based “cupcakes” forced me to stay current. In contrast, those classes that have few grades and two or three major exams or research papers call on my self-discipline and time management skills in a way that this class does not. I think the need for tenacity shows up in the area of quality. It’s one thing to just pump out assignments but another thing altogether to stay stuck in and submit work that I am proud of. The practice of staying engaged with the material and using the projects to explore subjects that I was curious about anyway have been two ways that I used to enjoy the requirements of this course.
1. 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 have honestly not reached that “giving up” moment in this class yet. Yes, there have been times when I would rather not have had to hunt down another interview victim, but I have waited many years to be able to dedicate time to my education and reminding myself of that fact helps me settle in and keep trucking. I enjoy running marathons, which means I have a robust capacity for suffering. Around mile 21, I focus solely on the mile that I’m in – no wishing for the finish, no counting down, no cursing myself for entering the race – just calm down and keep going. When/if I reach that demoralizing “giving up” moment, I will call on that same focused tenacity that has always gotten me to the finish line.

3. 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. Start assignments early, stuff WILL come up. Stay current with lectures and take copious notes.

2. Developing a tenacious mindset: tenacity is like a muscle, the more you work it - the more it will develop. Think of areas of your life where you already exhibit tenacity. Let those areas inform the parts of your life that require more of the same (like my running example) I promise you, we all have the grit required, just calm down. Run the mile you’re in. Keep going. You’ll get there.

3. Really decide to show up for this class, the material is totally relevant even if you have no intention of being an entrepreneur. If you engage and apply the exercises to subjects that you are curious about and find meaningful, that elusive tenacious mindset will be well within your reach.