Tuesday, July 23, 2013
My Mission to Stop Bullying
Back in February of this year I gave a presentation at Keystone College about bullying. During my presentation, I provided informational facts to the audience and had them engage in conversation. I also gave my experience on bullying and why it is my mission to stop it. So today I present to you my first big speech I gave in front of almost 80 students at Keystone College. Enjoy!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
The Define, Learn, Do Process for Upcoming College Students
Four years ago I was a shy and quite 18 year old boy who had a hard time making friends. Four years ago I made myself sick because I didn't want to stand up in front of a class and give a presentation. Four years ago I was told I wasn't a leader because I didn't have the "leadership gene". It is funny now to think I am a recent graduate from Keystone College with a degree in Organizational Leadership and I'm pursuing a dream to become a Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. Talk about ironic! So how does an 18 year old boy who had the world going against him become this 21 year old man who is pursuing to make a difference? I used three steps in the last four years and these steps are Define, Learn, and Do.
When I was in high school, many people were trying to define my life for me and what they thought I should become. There was a time I was told I would be a great history teacher because I was considered a "history geek". I followed the advice of my counselors because I felt like they had a better understanding of what my life was all about. Let me just say, they were completely wrong. After I observed an 8th grade class, I told myself there is no way I can do that for the next 35-40 years of my life. I took action and instead of letting others define my life, I defined it myself. I sat down and figured out what I believed in, what my character was, and most importantly what was going to wake me up every morning fired up and ready to "work".
Once I defined myself, which I may add wasn't an easy process, I decided to learn. You may be thinking you will be learning because you are going to college to receive a degree. Yes you will be learning in the classroom, but you will learn just as much outside of it. I made a lot of connections and met some amazing mentors who have helped me throughout this journey. These mentors included Admissions Counselors, Academic Advisers, professors, and the upper classmen. They taught me how to improve on the qualities I lacked which included studying, being organized, and most importantly expanding my comfort zone.
After all the hard work of defining myself and learning from my mentors, I decided to to take action and apply the knowledge. This is where the Do process comes into play. Standing up for your character is tough, but I'll tell you now I respect more people who believe in their character instead of a silly reputation (i.e. the jock, the prep, Mr./Mrs. Party Animals). Abraham Lincoln once said that character is like a tree and a reputation is like a shadow. The shadow is what we think it is, the tree is what it actually is."
As I applied my life definition, I also applied the knowledge I received from my mentors. I challenged myself to become a little more organized. I challenged myself to study and most importantly, I expanded my comfort zone by taking risks and getting more involved. I live by a quote which states "You strike out 100 percent of the time on the chances you don't take".
There are three processes that helped me make a positive change in my life and they are Define, Learn, and Do. These aren't processes that will happen over night. They will take time and you will feel frustrated at some points, but don't give up. As the incoming freshman class gets ready for the next 2-4 years of higher learning, I leave you with this. Each of us are the writers of our own lives and as you take that pen and begin to write, ask yourself this; What type of beginning and ending would you like to create?
When I was in high school, many people were trying to define my life for me and what they thought I should become. There was a time I was told I would be a great history teacher because I was considered a "history geek". I followed the advice of my counselors because I felt like they had a better understanding of what my life was all about. Let me just say, they were completely wrong. After I observed an 8th grade class, I told myself there is no way I can do that for the next 35-40 years of my life. I took action and instead of letting others define my life, I defined it myself. I sat down and figured out what I believed in, what my character was, and most importantly what was going to wake me up every morning fired up and ready to "work".
Once I defined myself, which I may add wasn't an easy process, I decided to learn. You may be thinking you will be learning because you are going to college to receive a degree. Yes you will be learning in the classroom, but you will learn just as much outside of it. I made a lot of connections and met some amazing mentors who have helped me throughout this journey. These mentors included Admissions Counselors, Academic Advisers, professors, and the upper classmen. They taught me how to improve on the qualities I lacked which included studying, being organized, and most importantly expanding my comfort zone.
After all the hard work of defining myself and learning from my mentors, I decided to to take action and apply the knowledge. This is where the Do process comes into play. Standing up for your character is tough, but I'll tell you now I respect more people who believe in their character instead of a silly reputation (i.e. the jock, the prep, Mr./Mrs. Party Animals). Abraham Lincoln once said that character is like a tree and a reputation is like a shadow. The shadow is what we think it is, the tree is what it actually is."
As I applied my life definition, I also applied the knowledge I received from my mentors. I challenged myself to become a little more organized. I challenged myself to study and most importantly, I expanded my comfort zone by taking risks and getting more involved. I live by a quote which states "You strike out 100 percent of the time on the chances you don't take".
There are three processes that helped me make a positive change in my life and they are Define, Learn, and Do. These aren't processes that will happen over night. They will take time and you will feel frustrated at some points, but don't give up. As the incoming freshman class gets ready for the next 2-4 years of higher learning, I leave you with this. Each of us are the writers of our own lives and as you take that pen and begin to write, ask yourself this; What type of beginning and ending would you like to create?
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