...and we're back!

Welcome back to blogging and reflecting, after your week off :)

Before you compose your blog, I encourage you to read the following article.  Though it's not necessary for this week's response, it covers differentiation in the workplace, through strategy, art, realizing your potential, etc.  It even provides great reflection questions at the end!

(Is this book creepy to anyone else?  This is supposed to be a children's book to challenge them to think in new ways...)

It appears as though you all have learned a lot this quarter in terms of (in)appropriate communication, process of (in)effective group functions, creating organizational structure, being (un)dependable/(un)responsive, working with (ir)responsible group members, etc.

Just take a minute and think about what you've been through over the past 8 weeks in this challenge.

I found the following quote on a website (as a book excerpt) that I think really articulates this idea:

One thing that Gergen and Vanourek address is the idea of meaning making in the face 

of challenges.  “Life entrepreneurs resolve to shape their own destiny. In doing so, they 

must be awake to possibility, recognizing that when we embrace big new ideas we can 

elevate our condition and help others to do the same. When we do, we often find 

ourselves, suddenly, in the right place at the right time, surrounded by the right people, 

thinking about the right things. Rather than being tossed about by changing 

circumstances, we discover opportunity in challenge and change.” (p. 67)

Okay, now onto the blog prompt:

Using whatever form you find most appropriate (story-telling, metaphors, video clips, etc), pick three things you have learned from working in the large group challenge and describe:

(a) the situation leading up to the lesson

(b) the lesson itself

(c) what you will do differently in the future if you're in the same situation

Please answer a, b, and c for three (3) lessons you've learned through working in the challenge this quarter. not just one.

Remember, BLF intentionally focuses on creating unique experiences and environments to inspire and hasten the learning process.  Please take time to consider your contributions and lessons of the past quarter to find the meaning in your experiences!

In the Kitchen with BLF

...sorry this picture isn't culturally competent -- it's just the best Google Images had for clip art...

But as promised, it's time for this week's blog!

Remember back to the Cooking Challenge from Saturday. (as a reminder, you and your guests: gathered in the Instructional Kitchen, were given a 90-minute cooking challenge, received 8 ingredients you had to incorporate into either an entree or an appetizer, broke up into six teams, cooked, and then plate the meals for our team of 3 judges)

It went something like this.

Well, maybe not ... but this is what the mystery ingredient announcement was like :)

Okay, so that's not true either, but I wanted to incorporate that clip into this post somehow. I just love Iron Chef America -- seriously, when I'm able to have cable again, that's the first show I'll regularly watch!  I mean, how can you not get excited with faces and expressions like that.

But back to the post...

Your questions for this week are fairly reflective on the experience cooking in teams, with families, etc:

1. Why did we host this event and invite your parents and families? (...aside from the collaborative partnership we have with the Office of Parent and Family Relations)
   
2. What was the dynamic like working with your guest in the kitchen? Did you behave any differently in that setting that you do with your guest normally? (aka - did you take on a different role in the context of your relationship that you normally don't with that person?)
   
3. Did you/your team set any goals or timelines for completing your vision? If so, how did those work?
   
4. How was this similar or different to working with simply other Fellows?
   
5. What was the most challenging part of the challenge? the easiest?
   
6. What were the top three Core Competencies that you personally used to complete this challenge, and how did you use them?
   
7. Would you recommend this type of event again? If so, why? and If not, why not? (please describe specific components)
   
8. Did you actually enjoy your food??

That's all I have for reflection this week :)

Happy blogging!

REFLECTIVE POST AHEAD -- proceed with time and thoughtfulness :)

As busy people, it's super easy to breeze through our day-to-day activities without really thinking. Sure, we have to think during classes about the course topics and learn new material. But do we really have to think?

This week, we're hoping you take some time to reflect and make meaningful connections within the things you're experiencing on and off campus as:

college students.

goal-driven individuals.

organization members.

high-functioning thinkers.

people with ideas, hopes, and dreams.

One of the main objectives of this program is to develop a group of juniors into self-aware, capable, articulate, and prepared individuals -- prepared to step into the world of work and be able to make an impact.

But wait.

Can we truly get there without moments of reflection, refocusing on goals, and restructuring the idea of our future?  I argue no.  We have to take moments to reflect and create meaning; meaning of our experiences, for ourselves, meaning for others -- to provide context and purpose behind everything that we do.

Check out this quote:

This week, we're hoping that you take a look at what you do on a daily basis (the classes, groups, activities, time spent) and question the motivation behind each 'thing'. What are the motives and purposes guiding what you're doing? Are there things that just don't fit with who you say you are or what you profess you want to do? Are there awesome things you do on an everyday basis, perfectly in line with your goals? Are there things that create a sense of flow and play?

...

Be honest.

(the only person you're lying to is yourself)

POINT ONE for this week's blog: Talk about what you do in your everyday life. What things are a little fluffy, or simply futile? What things engage your time, interest, talents, and passions?

Now, think back to Robert J. Thomas' book "Crucibles of Leadership"

...you're remembering...

And if you haven't pulled out the book yet, please go do that now. :)

POINT TWO for this week's blog: Think about your favorite passage from the book and quote it. Then looking at what you've experienced over the past year, what has been your biggest crucible moment? What has challenged you to learn, explore new things, and expand your ideas of the possible? What have been the fruits of that failure?

POINT THREE for this week's blog: Pick something in your life that you haven't considered in a while. Ask yourself "WHY" 5 times. Record your topic, questions, and responses on your blog :)