Interviews:
This week, I conducted two interviews as prompted by my SELP Course. I decided to interview a friend and, more uncomfortably, a new boss of mine. The experience was truly eye-opening in that I received answers to questions that I was not expecting. It is fascinating to hear another person's perception of me. This was in no way a "Tell me everything you love about me" type of interview. My questions included:
- What do you find to be my strengths?
- What do you find to be my weaknesses?
- What can you count on me for?
- What can you never count on me for?
- If I was on the cover of a magazine, what magazine would it be and what would my article be about?
The friend that I interviewed gave me a raw answer regarding a weakness of mine that was great to hear. Without letting my ego become bruised, I truly listened to this person's reasoning and was able to accept why they thought that way. Since that time, I have been able to use their answer to notice that weakness in myself and change it into something positive.
My new boss was more difficult to approach simply because I do not know them very well and vice versa. However, I got some other surprising answers that allowed me to see myself in a different light. I believe that being bold enough to approach these people and ask for their honest answers shifted the relationship that I have with each person in a great way. I instantly felt closer to my friend because I asked for an honest answer and my friend did not shy away, but instead gave me a thoughtful response that has changed the person that I am. In the responses I received from my new boss, I was able to find out that a strength I try to pride myself on is recognized. I can only continue to build on that positive attribute and continue an enjoyable working relationship.
Community Project:
My project is to rescue cats from local shelters and pair them with senior citizens in assisted living facilities.
I began sharing my community project with a few people in my life and that made the experience more real to me. Taking my idea off a piece of paper and putting it out in the world has been a good feeling. My next steps will be to research local shelters in the area, find assisted living facilities that accept pets, and visit pet stores to research community outreach involvement.
