February 22, 2011 Dean Kau

"When we serve others we are not motivated by selfishness, but by charity" according to Dean Kau. A leadership experience I've had where I've been motivated by charity occurred just last Tuesday, the week we didn't have class. A girl wanting to interview for next year's SH VP came in to talk with me about what SH is, how it works, what its programs are, etc. I could have just told her flat out that since she had never been involved with our area before there's little chance she'd become VP so she should just bag it. During our conversation I could tell her heart was in the right place and that some day she would make a fantastic VP; I told her what I could and printed out a rough, ROUGH outline of each of our programs hoping that would be enough for her to succeed. I guess I share this experience because it's only out of my genuine interest in her behalf that I took 90 minutes of my time to talk with her about something so dear to my heart. I met with her initially thinking our discussion would be a waste of time but by the end I realized how much I care for the Honor Code and that I'm not the only one who feels that way. I hope she does well in her future leadership positions because if she can inspire me then she can inspire a ton of people!

It's important for me to serve and lead now because tomorrow may never come. I shouldn't wait to be influential. I should do what I can today so I can improve for tomorrow. Time is precious and it's how I use that time that determines my future happiness and success!

At my first meeting as Vice President for Student Honor the old presidency and the new presidency met up with the leaders of our University and Elder Johnson who, at the time, was the CES President (he might still be but I'm not sure). He spoke about how the winds will blow and storms will come but how I face those oppositions are what make me a strong leader. "Will you face those challenges with a smile?" he asked us, "Or will you groan and shirk away from your responsibilities?" In two weeks a full year ago I decided I would face my challenges with a smile and haven't stopped smiling yet. It's important that I do my job the best I can meaning that I work hard to be a good student, a good sibling, a good daughter, a good teammate, and most importantly a good friend. In preparation for unexpected opportunities I need to make sure that I'm doing all I can so that I have the time to serve others without forgetting the duties to myself.

February 14, 2011 President Samuelson

President Samuelson explained the importance of accepting callings. Please describe how you plan to respond to different calls that will come to you over your lifetime.

I love my calling! I get to teach Sunday School every other week! I learn more by being the teacher than I do by listening from the seats. I like lead discussions and hear what people have to say. I think it's unfortunate that some people avoid their calling. Trust God and know that He only gives us opportunities that we can accomplish and from which we will learn and grow. Every calling is important. I love the following story: There were two men working on the same building. One was building a chapel for the Lord while the other was merely laying bricks. Callings come from our Heavenly Father and if I trust Him I know I am building a chapel not just laying bricks.

President Samuelson identified the practice of being “too critical” of ourselves as being worse in effect than not being critical enough. How do your expectations of your own performance effect how you serve as a leader. How do you intend to avoid the practice of over self-criticism?

I used to worry about being perfect until I realized it only made me stress which led to my face breaking out. To prevent unnecessary zits I stopped worrying about what I couldn't control. If I can do my best and feel good about it then why criticize myself? I'm good at things that other people have to work hard at and there are things that I need to work hard at that they're naturally perfect in. If we were all perfect then we would have no need to be on Earth yet we are. Christ was the only perfect one and I am no where near where I need to be in relation to Him but I can perfectly try to be like Him =D.

President Samuelson shared his method of organizing his plans to include, long term, mid term and short term. What approach do you currently use in organizing the work you are responsible for?

I plan for mid-term more than anything else. I plan out my major things of the month and focus on those rather than day to day. Sometimes I try to schedule every hour of my day but then when I miss an hour I get all lost and confused with what to do next. I find it better to have to-do lists and work on semi-large milestones rather than fuss over many little boulders. A little bit of unbalance helps me progress towards where I want to end up. While I don't worry about each day so much, I do have a list of long term goals and they include: go on a mission, get married in the temple, graduate college with a bachelors degree, have a family, go to the Celestial Kingdom. So far I haven't accomplished any of those but I'm working on them! I want to be a good leader to my team by being my best self. If I have goals then hopefully my team will hop on the wagon and make goals too!

Please describe your motive for serving in BYUSA. Has this motive changed or evolved as the year has gone by.

I started in BYUSA as a freshman because I felt like an opportunity to serve in such a large capacity would never come again. I just love to help where I can and if I don't do it, who else will? Over the two years I've been involved my desire to help others has increased and grown into something that makes me who I am. I am a Server. I serve where I want in however I want whether that be to a friend who needs someone to listen to or as a VP over PDs who don't know what they're doing. I love to help and have the means needed to help in BYUSA so here I am. I only hope that I have been able to teach others through my service and inspired them to want to stay involved in BYUSA.

February 7th, 2011 Brother Ron Jones

Brother Jones gave an experience where he was recommended for a job based on his ability to follow through on assignments and be responsible. I can learn from his example by following the same pattern of leadership. I should start this behavior by being a tad more pro-active about my blog assignments! At least I'm getting them in now instead of never doing them though... OK, back to the task at hand --> To make sure I am considered someone who is reliable in completing projects I can make sure to only bite off what I can chew. Although it's not a huge issue, I see it more and more as I grow up that people say they will do something only to realize that they don't have enough time or they've double booked themselves! Of course, this usually happens within the week that the said project is due... I want to be someone that others can count on and I need to start by making sure I have time to do what I'll say I'll do. Empty promises are lame.

I want to be a counselor at a high school when I grow up and graduate from college (if that day ever happens...) and I need to prepare myself for the non-mormon community that I will most likely put myself in. Today at church we talked about how important it is that we befriend others before we go all missionary on them. Like Ron, I can be a good example for our church by being nice, friendly and welcoming to everyone. It's important to "remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (DC 18:10) despite their religious beliefs.

The concept of involving others is incredible to me. Through Honor Week we were able to see just how involved people could be with a simple invitation to participate. God loves each of us and has given us particular talents to improve ourselves and lives of others. How could I not let them showcase their gifts? Like Ron and his ability to include all sorts of people to make his event of the Festival of the American West successful I too can invite as many people as possible to help where they can. Who knows if my invitation will be the one to change their life?