Another Link

We are probably all sick of hearing about LinkedIn, building your network, and making connections. I personally blow this lesson off a little bit because I think, "I'll do that later." I'm sure everyone else feels this way or think they have enough connections. But this is the mind set that will get us no where.
What kind of connections are out there? I think you can connect with friends, family, internships, AND contact the company you desire to work for. The most successful people I know connected through companies and asked them, "What do YOU want from me?" This creates so much interest in you, in the relationship you have just created, and in the success of the company. What better than a connection to the main honcho and indirectly asking, "How do I get YOU to offer me a job?" to land you that job. It can be that simple. 
So what can we all pull away from this. Connecting is great, but getting involved can be BETTER. Internships help you open the doorway to a company,  relationships give you credibility, but just the action of asking a company, "HOW" could push you through the door. 
Sometimes we feel blind. We go through college thinking, "I'll just get the education and that will be enough. I'll be offered something eventually" but that's not enough. We can't think we will just be handed a career; Future employers need to gain experience and work toward a specific goal if they want to be successful. 

Loving What You Learn

Sometimes it's had to not go through the motions. College is stressful and classes seem repetitive. There are many things we wont remember, or we don't see as "important" and this is a challenge that everyone must face.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Are we lazy? Is school really not important? Are the things we learn impossible to understand? Usually the answer to these questions is NO! We are human beings and we learn and achieve differently. Sometimes we love art and design more than we love equations and finance. We all just have to find our passion.
So how do we find our passion? My advice is get involved and put your skills to use. No matter what your skill level is, there is always something out there to discover. I believe through volunteer work, internship, classes, and worship activities can help you find your passion. 
My story starts with a simple class in High School. I LOVED my media class. It's all I focused on. I loved creating videos, editing photos, taking photos, and designing power-points. Not to be cocky, but I am always told I'm good at it and I should pursue it. It really IS something I love. I love computers and playing with the programs; no matter what it is, I can figure it out.
I then discovered Excel and Microsoft programs in College. I was reminded of my passion and talents. I then took an internship and was very lucky to AGAIN work with editing and creating videos. It was yet another reminder that I need to focus my education and direction toward computers.
So now what? We all need to see the signs. When we pick our major and pursue a career, it SHOULDN'T be for money. Our career SHOULDN'T be for fame. AND IT SHOULD NOT be for a pat on the back from our parents. It SHOULD be what makes us happy. So love what you learn, and take those many opportunities to find it. It's never to late!!

Confidence in Yourself

Sometimes all you need is a little push. We all seek confidence from other people, but have you really tried finding it in yourself? I always want encouragement from others, but it's OK to be the only one rooting for yourself. Go for whatever it is that is challenging, and build yourself up; don't let others tear you down.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." -2 Timothy 1:7

Confidence isn't just a mental state, it's a way to succeed. When others don't put their confidence in you, your insecurity can drag you down to the bottom of sorrow filled ocean. You think someone is doing you wrong, when really you are doing yourself the wrong. Don't let yourself sink and rise above. When someone doesn't approve or show interest in your doings, don't believe them. Sometimes people think you won't make it to the top, you can't achieve greatness, or perfect your dive, but you know you can and it's all in your head.

What do you do about this. Sincerely tell yourself, "You can do this." You must push yourself to the top because no one else can. You are the ultimate influence in your own life. To make it and believe in yourself, you have to go big. People will mock you, or will not give you the time of day; but you need to promise yourself that their terrible attitude will not effect your own. give it all you got. Believe in yourself. 

Respect is Not a Status

I have experienced some very disrespectfully behavior in the past week. Everybody has their moments, but when it happens over and over, it starts to make me angry. And when you least expect it, everything piles up on you.

Maybe it's our generation, but I personally never see myself having my kids call me ma'am, or listening to my every command. I always hoped for a friend-like relationship with them. I also feel the same way at school or in the workforce. I find myself having a hard time getting along with people that demand a strict respect. Some people even abuse their age and position as an excuse for automatic respect.
This bothers me because I believe respect is earned. Even in a high position, or a leading and guiding command, a person needs to respect the people they believe are under them. The key to life is giving the same amount of respect as you expect from others. Why would anyone think it's ok to be so demanding and disrespectful, when they haven't gained trust and respect for themselves from others. Authority also needs to be careful of treating someone like a disobedient child.

So what should I, you, he, she, we, do with this information? We need to be in tune with the generations to come. We need to show the same levels of respect as we require. Being a higher authority should not grant a person immediate respect, but a chance to gain a whole lot of it.Authority also does not make it ok to be snappy and short with others.

Measures of Success

We all see success in a different way, and try to achieve in all areas. Some people see success as a modest home and a sweet family; others believe success to be a wealthy paying job. No matter what we want to achieve, we can't give ourselves all the credit. There is a greater power out their guiding you along the way. He gave us this life, our bodies, and our talents; we just have to utilize our skills and recognize His touch in our lives.  

“Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him." -Gordon B. Hinckley.

Why is His guidance so important? Well we need that comfort, and reason to move forward. If your goal isn't for yourself, do it for someone else, another person, or another being. Whatever it is, comfort and guidance can be the key to your success. Guidance and divine inspiration is like asking another student who took the same class as you about what to study. Guidance is very helpful and gives you dotted line to follow. Comfort also gives you the courage to move forward and never look back.

So now what? We need to get on our knees and pray when we are scared. When we make big decisions, we need divine help and guidance. It's not weird to want help. Out in the world, or in our are friends and family. We can be comforted by a God or Buddha. Peoples minds and hearts are ready to help, hear, listen, and guide. Lets take advantage of these opportunities.

Working Together

I'm going into Human Resources because I like a social environment, I love working with people, and I love helping or contributing to a business. It's in my womanly nature to always want to take care of others. This also applies to being a wife, a diver, and a study buddy.

I was doing Finance homework last night and I felt like I understood it. I was trying to help my study buddy figure it out as well because I want them to succeed. I realized that some people, or sometimes, you don't want to help others. Maybe because you think they are to slow, or it's to easy, or you're to tired to help. But we need to share our knowledge and help each-other.
I feel the same way in diving. If I see a teammate doing something funny or wrong, I always feel good to at least let them know what I'm thinking, whether they like it or not. It's better to open you mouth then to be silent in some situations. People don't have to listen to you or take your advice, but putting your ideas out there is one more step to complete understanding. Whether you/they want to understand intellectual knowledge or physical achievements.
Being a wife I also want to be helpful, take care of, and teach my husband things to keep our little home in one piece. I little spread of knowledge can go a long way. It could results is a helpful husband for time and all eternity.
Now What? Well go spread your knowledge. Don't be afraid to speak out. Me personal goal is to be helpful in all that I do, and spread my knowledge with those I come by.

Clearing your Plate

I’m not talking about eating, or starting over; you can clear your plate by getting things done.

Lately, I’ve been busy trying to balance school and diving. Things seem a lot more stressful when they pile up and fall on top of you like a stack of dirty laundry. I seem to get behind on things like homework, dishes, laundry, service, and personal spiritual enlightenment. Life is tuff but we have to endure to the end.

I love the quote that Rita Mae Brown said in the Ensign, “Never hope more than you work.”

We need to break free from the thought that everything will be handed to us. If you do or do NOT do the work, the consequences will follow – positive or negative. The early bird really does get the worm, but the late bird might get the late worms.

There are always opportunities out there. As a student, a friend, a teammate, and a wife; I need to work hard to keep up with my daily struggles. I plan to clear my plate by taking it one step at a time. I will do the little things first, the big things second, and the little things for others everywhere in-between.  

We can always find time.

We can always balance our lives.