This week I have the semester ending opportunity to assess and score the results of students taking their Final Exam in my American Government & Politics class.   As you can guess my exams are a little non-traditional… but a whole lot about “What do YOU think?”.  The exam consists of a variety of essay questions and each student has a choice of the required number of questions they must answer.  But the question that is most fun and interesting are the answers that come from the last question:

“Ten (10) years from now… what job will you have and what part of this American Government & Politics course impacted you the most and why?”

Right now, I bet you are asking yourself… where is the Inspiring Innovations TRIPLE III TIME message in all this verbiage?

Well, just like students in my class answering that last Final Exam question, reflection… Professional Reflection is the special “test” assignment for this weeks message.  What if you were asked:

“Given all of the challenges you faced during calendar year 2020, what action or occurrence professionally impacted you the most and why?”

I am sure the COVID issues would strongly influence your response to this question… but what about you and your world of work?  Consider:

• Are you more tech-savvy?
• Can you really do your job without personal contact?
• Have new business products/services been created in your profession?
• What skill-set areas have you “stretched” and which ones have contracted?
• What type of motivational speech could you give to co-workers… today?
• Are you happy because you didn’t have to change at all?
• Did you feel like you wanted to find a new job?
• Is there a training area you wished you had?
• What professional resources or people did you look to for guidance?
• If you knew then what you know now, would you do anything different?

Professional Reflection is an exercise that really should have no specific timetable. Therefore asking yourself pertinent growth questions is something that all professionals need to ask in some way or form… just to observe/determine personal movement.

So how would YOU answer this Final Exam question??

I take a regular “debriefing” action every time I finish teaching a class.  By debriefing I mean that I take some quality time to assess what I did good…not so good…mistakes…cool progress steps…you all know what I mean.

Well the more recent class was a little more challenging.  Issues like attendance, completion and submission of quality assignments, and just interest in the course topic were all ongoing concerns.  The impact:  A feeling that I wanted them to learn…more than THEY wanted to learn.  And so what did I decide to do differently…you know “Corrective Action”?  Or if I was the mentor…what advice would I pass along?

It is so important that you “give your all” to your profession everyday…EVERYDAY!  In the case of my class…how sad it would be for me to lower my bar of learning expectations and teaching service delivery just because some choose to do the minimum.  Not only would you be “short-changing” the caring achievers…but the bad habit you would be enacting/adopting…sets a world-of-work example you wouldn’t want anyone…ANYONE to follow.

So my Learning Moment from my latest class instructor experience: EVEN IF JUST ONE cares a lot about learning…you need to care even more about teaching.

Ok…for those that know me realize that this week is a National Holiday: Opening Day of Deer Hunting Season.  Well of course that is an exaggeration…but because of my Dad’s legacy…it will always be a holiday to me.  But this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: “Not Perfect…But Perfectly Attempted” …is not specifically about the hunt.  Rather it focuses on the importance of just going after the opportunity!

First, I have long preached that PERFECTION doesn’t exist.  If that were the case we would still have black and white TVs, wall phones, and cars that only get 10 miles per gallon.  Why…because back then that was perfection.  Today I believe PURSUING PERFECTION is “where-the-action-is”!  For all that I work with I advise and mentor the importance of NOT waiting for that perfect situation, but instead take advantage of whatever goal you are seeking and strongly seize the moment.  In my consultant messaging I try to stress the high value gained in just trying a new approach and being an example-setter.

Today if you were to ask me to give everyone a solid example of a “Not Perfect”….But Perfectly Attempted” action…I would quickly return to this years hunt.  My youngest son never worries about getting a buck that surpasses the biggest one his Dad has got.  No his focus is making everything about the hunt: Location (hunting blind), Service (food plot), Timing (get up early), and Equipment (gun/bow/binoculars/hand warmer/etc.) is as perfect as it can be.

BOTTOMLINE: PURSUE PERFECTION and focus on Location, Service, Timing and Equipment in completing your day job. If you do, I believe you will find reward when following a “Not Perfect…But Perfectly Attempted” course of action.

Today we are experiencing tough times.  No, I don’t mean the stock market is down, the unemployment rate is going up or the potential for war is growing.  No, the tough times that we are experiencing appear to be more centered on the fact that no one seems to be listening to one another and “Getting the Last Word” in a discussion somehow qualifies you as the winner.

And yes, we are all guilty.

The “Getting the Last Word” syndrome is fueled by many of today’s leaders.  Think about it.  How often in any discussion that you are involved in…is there silence while people REALLY think about what’s been said…and then allow the discussion to continue.  Also, how often if you do not instantly respond to someone’s point are you asked: “Don’t you have something to say?”  And wouldn’t it be extra cool if your response was: “No, I am really thinking about what was just said.”

“Getting the Last Word” in a discussion/debate does NOT make you a winner.  It does however indicate that you have NOT totally thought through the points that were just shared by someone else. (“ARE YOU LISTENING?” That’s my Mom’s voice.)

BOTTOMLINE:  Unless you are running for an office or are a contestant in a debate competition, “Getting the Last Word” in a discussion isn’t as important as you might think.  Instead, how about if we all try setting a new trend and reverse the scenario.  This would mean that while involved in a heated conversation you say: “I have made all the significant points I want to make…and I want you to “Get the Last Word” in…so I can listen and better learn from you.”

Who would be identified as the LEADER?

Over the years you have heard me comment on and give examples of what I term: Opportunities of a Lifetime!  Opportunities like meeting a special person/celebrity, getting an award, traveling to a new spot and/or running into a long-lost friend are just a few examples.  If you think back at your own personal history…I am sure you will find many examples that will make you smile.

Today however, I seem to take the time to watch and assist family, friends and colleagues in experiencing their Opportunities of a Lifetime.  Some take them for granted…while others don’t recognize them for all that they are.  I will admit maybe it’s an age thing…but for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message I’m YELLING LOUDLY…be sure to celebrate your OPPORTUNITIES OF A LIFETIME!

By taking the time to celebrate your Opportunities of a Lifetime you will:

• Learn a little more about what makes you special.
• Maybe generate a progressive momentum that will serve you well.
• Be reminded of the positive example you are setting for others.
• Realize that in almost every situation YOU are the one who initiates, facilitates and creates the resulting Opportunity of a Lifetime.

So maybe if we all think that today we are creating one next OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME…we will smile all day.