Facing Change

A change that I am facing to "stand tall" is to find a career. I have a graduate degree in psychology and cannot find work. The current economy is not helping because there are so many candidates for one position that I have not been able to secure a position. In addition, I accept responsiblity for having little experience outside of academics. I know I need to get a job, but I can only do what I can do. That is the following: apply and interview.

I am the only one responsible for the choices I have made that got me into this predicament. I know what I need to do and am doing it. This is just a small obstacle that will clear because I am resilient and will persevere because I am taking all the proper actions. Ultimately, I know I am making the best decisions and choices I can and am anticipating this change in my life. (Stage #6: Acceptance)

Core Values

Three core values I could not live without: altruism, passion and wisdom.

These three touchstones are my ideology of life. Altruism, a selfless concern for the welfare of others, is an important value when working in any "helping" profession. Passion, enthusiasm, is a very intense emotion or desire for someone or something. Passion brings excitement to life. Wisdom, deep understanding of people and things empowering the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy. Wisdom controls emotions (amydgala) and allows reason and knowledge (PFC) to prevail.

These core values are important as a leader because they are practices we should use or being using everyday in everything we do. These values underlie who we are and how we interact with each other.

Caring for Ourselves

List and describe three things that bring joy into your life. State why each thing brings you joy.
-Husband
-Learning
-Sleep

Three things that bring me joy in life are my husband, learning and sleep. School and learning can be fun but are also a known stressor. The excitement of learning is what motivates me to continue living life to the fullest bringing me great joy. Secondly, my husband brings me great joy and love. This allows me to deal with the stressors caused by school and life because it is therapeutic to talk, and he offers support and understanding that makes me feel needed and understood. Finally yet important, sleep, allows me to recharge and dream about what the future holds and recharge my mind, body and spirit which gives me the energy to enjoy the joyful moments that bring me hope and meaning in my life.

What is an example of a combination feeling you have experienced?

I have experienced many mixed emotions or combination feelings. One in particular that I thought I would share was when I had to give a presentation in a large lecture hall. Prior to doing this lecture, I was excited and anxious in anticipation for the date to talk about my information to the students. I prepared and used those emotions and stressors to focus and motivate me to create a well thought out presentation that included very specific information on psychology and behavior.

These emotions continued and increased until the date to give my presentation. When giving the presentation I was still experiencing anxiety and excitement, but I was also experiencing intense nervousness because I had never given a lecture to a group of this magnitude. This lecture hall had seats that go up in step design, a classic lecture hall layout, and I was nervous and afraid.

Wondering if my anxiety would interfere with my ability to speak or think clearly if asked questions, feeling worried about the sheer volume of students, and excited to share my research findings and information to the students I experience mixed emotions that contributed to intense feelings of distress, anxiety and excitement. Overall, the experience was a great one and I had no problems with my presentation. I contribute the success of that moment to great mentorship, preparation and belief in my abilities to be successful in public speaking.