Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Beginnings of Progress


About a week has passed since I chose three goals to pursue throughout the year here at college, and I think that I have already made some progress toward accomplishing these goals.  Although these goals can be accomplished, I think that they are more likely to turn into resolutions, rather than goals that I can be totally finished with at some point in time. I can already tell that my personality is changing, maybe not very dramatically yet, but I can definitely notice some of the subtle differences in myself.
            The first difference I can notice in myself is quite obvious because the difference lies in my actions, rather than in an element of my personality. In thinking of my first goal, (to study for classes) I have already made flashcards for two separate tests and I feel like they definitely helped. Studying for me is actually harder than it sounds, not only because I never studied in high school, but because I have to break down personal barriers to do so. These personal barriers actually manifest themselves in the form of pride; because I never studied in high school, I came into college thinking that I might have to study, but I didn’t need to because I would automatically get good grades without studying. I have decided to put my pride aside and study regardless of whether I need it or not, because it is one of my goals and I know that it will not only benefit my in the short run, as in this year, but it will build good habits that will benefit me in the long run, as in all throughout my college career.
            The progress on my next two goals is a little harder to measure, but nonetheless, I feel like I have made progress. My second goal was to be more open to others as well as comfortable with myself. I think I have made progress toward this goal when it comes to dorm life and interacting with my roommate. As time has passed since the beginning of the year, I have become much more comfortable with my roommate because we have had more time to talk and to hash things out. I have also learned to accept and not think twice about the little things that he does that used to annoy me a bit. I know that I probably do the same types of annoying things, so the little things don’t bother me as much as they used to. I think this is decent short-term progress, and I think it is a building block toward the long-term progress of being more comfortable with other people in general; throughout college and even after college.
            When I think of my last goal (to clear my mind of negativity and focus on the positive) I think I have made less progress, as compared to the progress I have made on my other goals. I have tried to clear my mind, but it is quite hard to do so in college because there is so much to remember. I have to remember what classes I have to go to and when, what homework I have to do and when I can do it, when and what I eat, when I can work out, and much, much more. I have been able to see more things in a positive light, but I don’t think I have had a clear mind since I moved in to college. I think that I should be able to do so tomorrow night when I do yoga, because yoga is very hard to do with an unfocused mind. I have a feeling that as time progresses, I will naturally become more comfortable with my surroundings, and therefore able to focus my mind and focus on the positive things.
            I find that I can focus more effectively during a work out than I can during any other activity, because I focus on the task at hand and nothing else. Whenever I can’t focus my mind enough to start the work out, I think of this quote by Muhammad Ali : I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." I think if I can apply this focus to my college life, I will be much happier throughout college and hopefully even life after college.

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