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.