Brother Cox - January 31

Select at least three of Bro. Cox's 12 career "hints" and report what you are currently doing to follow his recommendations. Be specific in describing how you are living each "hint."

1) "Family First": I've realized how much I enjoy letters from missionary friends and how I write to them more than my own family. I'm working on a project where I write one letter a week to one of my siblings or to my parents. I would be nothing without them in my life! The first letter is to my sister and I'm writing it tomorrow during my lunch break. =D

2) "Don't Measure Success by Fame or Fortune": I teach sunday school every other week but for the past three weeks I've taught the lesson. It's wonderful because I really feel like I learn more about the gospel when I get the opportunity to teach. I can't measure how well I'm teaching based on fame because the other good teacher teaches the same week I do. If I measured the quality of my lessons based on attendance that would be a waste of time! I'm not teaching for popularity! I'm teaching so that those who do come to listen and participate can learn about Christ's divine mission and the New Testament. What I measure my teaching quality on is the type of comments I get afterward and those are what make me feel good. I can tell they are sincere comments and that's what I like to hear! Having a fun class is entertaining but I like to make my class think about real life application and how they can take the lessons into the real world and improve their lives.

3) "Try New Things": Every month my goal is to experiment with a new extreme activity. How will I find out what I like or don't like if I don't try it out!? If I didn't take advantage of the new opportunities that come my way while at college then I wouldn't be involved with BYUSA or even have the friends that I currently do. Trying new things and not being skeptical of what might happen is how I've learned so much about myself, what I enjoy doing, and what I'm good at.

Select one or more "hints" from Bro. Cox upon which you feel a need improve your focus. Be specific about your plans to better incorporate this "hint" into your life.

1) "Do More Than is Expected": I need to do this hint waayyyy better. I feel like I only do what is required of me when I'm working on a project or doing an event. It's not all about me. I have responsibilities to my team, roommates and friends and need to fulfill my duties to them more than meet the bare minimum. Life is hectic, yeah, but I can bite off quite a bit to chew for myself and I've never been one to start something I can't finish. I can be better about being a leader and getting stuff done BEFORE its due, not just on time. It's all about being pro-active. I get frustrated when other people just wait around for something to happen. I want to urge them to 'Make it happen! Be a leader! Do what you signed up to do!', but I need to take my own advice before I can dish it out to anyone else.

The 12 "hints" he shared with us on Monday include:
1. Family First
2. Leave it better than you found it.
3. Don't fear to contribute and invite others to do so.
4. Do more than is expected.
5. Be prepared before opportunity knocks.
6. Be willing to start from ground level.
7. Don't measure success by fame or fortune.
8. Don't value security more than opportunity to serve.
9. Deflect praise to others.
10. Sprout deep roots.
11. Try new things.
12. If you don't love it, leave it.

Judge Griffith - January 24th

Judge Griffith spoke about his career and how he had moved around to different opportunities seeking to find his passion. Please describe what you feel you are passionate about today and where you think these interests will take you as you start your career path.

I'm really passionate about making other people happy. I love when I influence someone to smile, or to think about a life changing experience, or to call their mom and tell her how much they love her. I'm not huge on having to see a numerical result [even though that is nice] but knowing that I've helped someone realize how much they are loved and then see them love others in return gets me through the day. I guess this means I'm passionate about loving others?? I know I'm not the greatest at being an event leader but I like to think that in some small way I'm helping others feel good about themselves and learn what kind of person they want to be. Is there a career for that?!?! I think there is and it's called motherhood... too bad that doesn't pay for college.

Judge Griffith quoted several versus in Jacob 2, in reference to the pursuit and use of wealth. How will you apply the concepts that Jacob shares with us as you experience success in your career.

I was thinking about something similar over Christmas break. Poor people can't help others because they don't even have the funds to take care of themselves! I need money if I want to help people! Of course there are people like Ghandi and Mother Teresa who did wonderful things without a ton of money, but what about those days when I just want to make dinner for a struggling, single mother and her 3 kids but hardly have money for my own top romin? What do I do then? Sometimes the sentimental things are best when I'm trying to show how much I care and more than usual those sentimental things cost money. Judge Griffith talked about how the LOVE of money is the root of all evil but money in general is a good thing! I want a good job that will pay well so that I can take care of myself, my future family, and others! That isn't too much to ask for, is it? When I get that fantastic job as a private school councilor and basketball coach, I'll use the money to give service and have my kids come help. It's killing two birds with one stone really.

Please share something you learned about leadership in your career from judge Griffith’s presentation.

I realized that even though I would like to be a poor hippie who spreads the good message of love and peace, I don't have the life style to keep such a low income budget haha. Soooo something's got to give! I like being middle class and I also like helping people. I feel like I'll learn more on my mission (my first interview is on Wednesday!!) and after that I'll better understand what God has in store for me. I don't need to rush through life nearly as quickly as I used to think I needed to. Life is so full of opportunities! I should take more time to stop and smell the roses because most of the time I don't even realize I've passed them until I'm stuck in a garbage dump.

As for how this has anything to do with leadership I don't know really. I feel like we are always having to look forward to the next thing and thinking of the future and how to prevent the bad stuff from happening at an event. That doesn't really leave time for smelling anything except the sweat from your forehead because you're so worried that you forgot something. If there is one thing I've learned this year it is this: it always works out; do your best and don't worry about what you can't control; love others for them to love you back and don't sit in the corner when something needs to be done; be proactive and not overbearing; make a situation better than how it was when you found it. LIFE IS GOOD!