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? 

In order to keep up with this course, I learned I must work ahead. It’s not easy to catch up after you have fallen behind. I’m also taking Business Finance (Banko’s class) this semester. Trying to keep up with both courses can be a bit difficult. Each week presents new challenges, so I must adapt my schedule to meet the demands of both courses, the responsibilities of my family, and the responsibilities of my job.

2) 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?

The week I thought about giving up was the week I missed three assignments. It wasn’t intentional. It was a difficult week academically, personally and professionally. It killed my ego to miss those assignments. After moping about it for a day, my daughter came and hugged me. She told me I was the best mommy and that calmed me down, and got me back in the “zone” to get through the rest of the semester.

I’m not sure if I’ve developed a tenacious attitude these last two months, but I’ve been told by several co-workers I am feistier than normal, so there may be some correlation between the two.

What contributed most to the feistiness is feeling like the solution I have come up with would really help people. As I continue to have conversations with the other moms in my department, I’m learning more and more this solution could be beneficial to more people that I imagined. Does it make me want to actually start this business…um…no. But seeing a solution I came up with that could possibly be beneficial to so many people is a bit of an ego boost.

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'?

Three tips for next semester’s students:

1.     Work ahead. You won’t regret it.

2.     Think outside the box. Not every solution is black and white.

3.     Watch the lectures. You won’t be able to pass a Cupcake if you don’t.