Emotional Intelligence, Stress Management and My Last Week

My results for the Emotional Intelligence Test was a 77 out of 100. This means that I am "reasonably skilled", but I still have room for improvement. I can understand my test results, because I am a very intuitive and empathetic person and usually fairly level headed, sometimes when the people I care about are unhappy, I am concerned and worried. I think in every area of life, there is always room for improvement, and am perfectly content with my EI score.

I thought it was interesting that we were talking about stress management this week, as I had just been researching the same topic with the podcast assignment. I do have the tendency to get very stressed about things that are out of my control. I get easily distracted and nervous.  Because anxiety is a problem I have had for awhile, I have learned coping mechanisms. One of the effects that stress has on my body is to make my ADD worse symptoms such as boredom than it usually is. To help me focus when I do my homework, I'll listen to music so that I don't distracted by the conversations going on around me. When I am feeling particularly stressed, I will make myself tea or coffee, and try to immerse myself in something else. Some examples are reading, writing, doing art, watching a mind stimulating TV program, and organizing while I listen to music. Some of the stress relieving tips from the article were very logical and helpful, which I appreciated.

As short as my time at Azusa has been, I am not bored or overwhelmingly anxious. I feel like I learned a lot of helpful, lasting lessons, from this course particularly. These few weeks have flown by, and I have enjoyed completing most of my assignments. When I felt my stress levels going up, I was able to take a step back and calm myself down.

Creating my ideal career is definitely a challenge because I have so many ideas of what I love to do. I have always loved the arts and the stage, as I'm sure you know by now since I don't stop chattering on about them. I think being an actress or a writer would be an amazing job. I think it would be so enjoyable to travel around the world and share stories with others. You would get to learn from putting yourself in the mindset of another character.
     Realistically, I would really enjoy a career where I am able to work with people while using my love for creativity, preferably at an internationally based company. This way I would be able to do something I enjoy while travelling and learning about others.

It's hard to believe its my last day in this course. I have enjoyed it immensely, and I absolutely loved the blogging aspect, as this is something I have wanted to do for a long time now. It was nice to be able to be introduced to how to work and write and capture the main concepts of your ideas. I actually made a personal blog, on which I have yet to post on, and I am happy to say that I am going to start writing on that. I have learned so much and look forward to what lies ahead.

Thank you for reading!
Warm regards,
Rachel

Stress Reduction, Learning, and Brain Structures

Stress Reduction

This week, I listened to a four podcast series titled, "Stress Reduction the Navy SEAL Way." As a student with both general anxiety and test anxiety, I thought it would be interesting to take a look. As a whole, I think the tips were very helpful, though I felt like some of them were common knowledge. 

The ones that really stood out to me were:

• Setting easily reachable goals. 
• Talking yourself down and giving yourself encouragement. 

One thing that the speaker mentioned was how optimistic people don't usually struggle with anxiety, stress or depression, etc., and I thought it was interesting how it connected to the study we had looked at earlier. 

What the speaker said about mentally rehearsing how the test would happen is a familiar concept, but I never thought about applying my imagination to tests, and it relieving stress. I would definitely recommend these tips to my friends, as I found them helpful. 

Learning//Brain Structure

I have always been interested in how our brains work. Since I learned the concept of left-brained, right-brained and how it affects your personality, I instantaneously categorized myself as right brained. Being extremely artistic, imaginative, and a lover of music and stories, I thought it was the perfect fit. This week I learned that I am actually more middle brained, and one point more left brained than right brained. After reading the articles and lectures, I found that I had characteristics on both lists, and that I can be, and am, both. I love words, and am artistic, and I am semi-organized. 

Thanks for reading, 

Rachel 

Asking Powerful Questions and Taking Risks

Since I was a little girl, I have always been extremely inquisitive. I remember sympathizing with Curious George and Anne Shirley (from Anne of Green Gables) because they were always getting into trouble because they "wanted to know" and asked "loads of questions." Since I've had and loved my curious nature for what seems like forever, I was really looking forward to this week.




Three questions...
For the Future:
1. Where will I be in the future, what will I be doing, and why?
Assumption: I will be in a different place in the future, and I will be doing something important with an important reason.
2. What will change about the future and how will it impact the world?
Assumption: The world and the way it works will significantly change in the near future.
3. Will the skills and hobbies that I currently have aid me in what I pursue in the future?
Assumption: The skills and hobbies I have are useful, and will help me through something important.

For my APOU:
1. Will I find a career field that complements my strengths and interests?
Assumption: There is a career field suited to my strengths and interests.
2. Will I be able to apply what I have learned at university from my courses and professors and transfer the lessons I learn to my career and the rest of my life?
Assumption: I will learn valuable, memorable lessons, and that they will help me when I get a job.
3. How much of a lasting impact will my professors and courses have on my future life and me?
Assumption: My professors will have an impact on me.

For my loved ones:
1. What events in your life have changed you the most, for better or for worse?
Assumption: They have allowed themselves to be effected by the events in their lives.
2. What would be your ultimate dream, if all things were possible?
Assumption: They have improbable aspirations, or dreams unbound by the boundaries of reality.
3. Who has had the largest impact on your life, and how did they change you?
Assumption: People have shaped their character and personality.

The Curiosity Challenge:
It was ridiculously hard for me to find a risk to do this week. I was trying to think of ideas, and I couldn't think of any-which hardly ever happens, and is kind of an improbable accomplishment of sorts.
Finally, I thought back to what I have done when I was little. My mother, who is incredibly artistic, always gave us crafts when my brother and I were little. When we lived in France, I was very small, and had the incredible of blessing, and was surrounded by art museums full of the accomplishments of world class artists. My mum, my little brother and I would bring our sketchbooks and attempt to draw statues and paintings. When we moved away, and would come back and visit, we would draw the same statue. Flipping through the sketchbooks, we would see our progress. My favorite artists are Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Vincent Van Gogh, My favorite painting is the Starry Night, and the last time I had attempted to paint it was in the third grade, and it wasn't spectacular. So I decided, I would attempt to paint it again. I didn't think it would turn out well, but I though I accomplished the assignment with a satisfactory product that I was proud of.




As always,
Thanks for reading!
Rachel Khan

Vital Friends and Clashing Strengths

1.      My friend Megan represents the builder role. I’ve known Megan since I moved to California, and we were in the same school. We have often discusses schools, careers, opportunities and jobs together.

2.      My friend Rachel (Yes, we have the same name and it does complicate things) fits three roles for me: Champion, collaborator and companion. It seems like a bit of a stretch, but she has supported me in all of my endeavors, been there for me always, shares my high ambitions, and has the same interests. She is very protective and me, and extremely loyal.

3.      Kelly is my connector friend. She somehow knows a lot of different people and has linked me in to quite a few of her friend groups.

4.      Energizer category are my family friends Gigi and her daughter Ellie. I teach Ellie private ballet lessons and then we have tea together. It’s always a fun experience.

5.      Marisa fits the role of the Mind-opener friend. She has a way of framing very thought provoking questions and effortlessly makes you think of things you never would have considered.

6.       And lastly, my mum fits the role of Navigator. My mum and I are really close, and she has always gives her opinion and aids in making decisions.

                

Some of the strengths that I think would clash with mine are command, competition and in some cases, deliberative. Individuals who have the strength of command tend to take charge of the situation. The reason I think I wouldn’t respond well to command is because I’m usually the one to take the initiative, and I don’t like being told what to do, especially if they are my equal. Competition is the other strength that I think I might clash with. I’m actually quite competitive myself, but I feel like I know where to draw the line of where the contest ends. I’ve been in situations with people who are so concerned that they won’t be the best, and it frustrates me. Sometimes it’s not all about you, and I think that this is one of the shadow sides of Competition. The last strength I think I could clash with is Deliberative. In some instances, I understand that you need to take time to make important decisions. However, with little decisions or situations where you need to react quickly, you don’t have the time to contemplate it. Take advantage of the time you are given.

Thanks for reading!
Rachel Khan 

Mission Statement

I am at my best when I am challenged or when I work with people I trust. .
I will try to prevent times when I don't have any control over the situation or when I am anxious. .
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can Working on creative projects, working with people, teaching and mentoring, and meeting a challenge. .
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through Cooking, reading, baking, singing, dancing, music, spending time with people I love, watching TV programs, films and theatre, travelling, and exploring new places. .
I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as Arts, Good with people, strong personality, leader, being a friend, adventurous and dedicated. .
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will I would travel and create an organization to take care of children and teach them life skills and give them an education. Perhaps crate a partnership or form our own clothing company to provide resources. I think I'd do this as a side project while working for an internationally based company so that I could have the means to travel. .
My life's journey is If I were the heroine of my own story, I think I would take a few friends with me, and travel as far as I could. I think I would want to save people from hurting, and help them. No one should have to be hurt and alone. You can't realistically save everyone, but I think I would be successful in the end, which would be passing on the tradition to the next generation. .
I will be a person who Cares for others, has courage, stood up for what she believed in and was a strong woman of God. .
My most important future contribution to others will be Someone who was always there for them, listened to them, supported them and protected them. To be a true companion in their time of need. .

I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

·         To be less impulsive and spontaneous.

·         To not be as sassy and snarky and be more sensitive.

·         Not to be too invested in a prospective situation in case in doesn't go through.

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

·         Imagination, artistic perspective and empathy

·         Intelligence, wisdom and ambition

·         Companionship and respect

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

·         To keep in shape, make healthy decisions and be my best.

·         To maintain my faith in God, pray often, and to pour into others.

·         To recognize when my stress levels are too high, and when I need to take a break. Also when to control my emotions.

·         To help others and not to get carries away with my emotions.

The two goals I selected to work on were 1) to be a good student so that I am able to be successful in the business world and in life, and 2) to continue to build my work relations skills and gain professional experience. I didn’t set any stakes, because if I don’t meet my goal, my emotional connections would be enough guilt or happiness. My referee is my mum, because I’m around her more than I am anyone else. My best friend Rachel is my support, in addition to my family, and I think they will hold me accountable. Three qualities that I have that I think will help me in reaching my goals are my determination, control over situations, and my desire to its end instead of stopping in the middle.

As always, 

Thanks for reading, 

Rachel. 

Carpe Diem: Locus of Control Results

1.                

                                      My score from the locus of control assignment was a five, which means I have an internal locus of control. I would agree with this assessment because I am very determined and aspirational, and my focus is working hard to achieve my goals. I believe you should work as hard as you can to reach your destination because that’s the way to improve yourself and get you to your goal, so that you can begin a new dream. Having an internal locus of control can backfire in negative situations, as I tend to take losses very personally.

2.       Journal Entry Six:

1)      My current situation with this problem is a recurring injury I had. In ballet, like any other sport, when you injure yourself you need to take enough time off to recover. I went back too soon, when I thought I was fully recovered. One thing led to another, and then I had to get surgery. I had done load of physical therapy, and then I switched physical therapists and continued. My current struggle is that I need to motivate myself to do my at home exercises.

2)      I would eventually like to get back to doing what I love: ballet. I absolutely adore the feeling of being in the studio. It just makes me feel at home. I don’t have as strong of a desire to be a professional dancer as I used to, but I would like to teach at a studio and definitely keep participating in it. I love watching, teaching and doing dance. It’s a very rewarding experience, and definitely something I would like to continue doing on the side of my latest endeavor.

3)      I think my choices are clearly set in front of me. I show dedication by doing my home exercises, return to physical therapy and really focus on regaining my strength. From there, I can return to teaching my student and eventually to dancing. After that, wherever I go, I would like to continue going to classes. I would like to remain a part, but not all-encompassing part of my life. The other choice is to continue not doing my exercises and leaving my ankle in the current situation it is. The longer I leave it, the worse it will get.

4)      The first option would leave me with the positive conclusion of resuming my passion, learning more, and teaching what I know to the next generation. The second option wouldn’t change my current status whatsoever, and things will remain the way they are now.

5)      I will chose the first option and completely dedicate myself into fixing and returning to what I love. I watched a documentary series about ballet today, and it really inspired me to go and get back what I lost, and made me realize just how much I miss doing dance.

6)      My goal is to begin my plan starting this week. I will get myself into a routine and working hard to get it done. If I return to physical therapy within a month of me faithfully doing my exercises, then I think I could get better in 4 months, maybe even less. And if I am able to go back, then I’ll finish out the remainder of my plan for the rest of my life.

Thanks for reading!

Rachel  

Self-Assessment

1. In your journal, write the eight areas of the self-assessment and record your scores for each as follows:
63  Accepting Personal Responsibility
78  Discovering Self-Motivation
70  Mastering Self-Management
68  Employing Independence
77 Gaining Self-Awareness
68  Adopting Lifelong Learning
51  Developing Emotional Intelligence
70  Believing in Myself

2. My four highest scores were in Discovering Self-Motivation, Gaining Self-Awareness, Mastering Self-Management and Believing in Myself. I think the reason for this is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I'm extremely artistic, but I like being organized and I hold myself to high standards. I like to push myself, and I hate quitting in the middle of something before I've finished my part. I'm a very opinionated individual, and I usually stick to my opinion in an argument. I like to think the best will come out of any situation, and I like formulating ways to improve things.

3. The areas that I scored lowest in were Employing Independence, Adopting Lifelong Learning, Developing Emotional Intelligence and Accepting Personal Responsibility. The fact that I scored the lowest in these areas was interesting was it went completely against what I thought I would do well in. I'm very independent and I like doing thing for myself instead of having them done for me. One of the principles that I've been taught since I was little and strongly believe in is that you never stop learning and you can learn from everything around you in the seemingly mundane everyday. I've been very responsible from a young age. The one that struck me more than the rest was Developing Emotional Intelligence. I consider myself a controlled person, but I suppose we all have things to work on, and I am looking forward to strengthening my weaknesses and  developing my strengths.

Thank you for reading!
Rachel