Lately, I have been reflecting on the start I had to 2016: the wheel that fell off of my car, the certification class I had just started, the undergraduate research project that was just an idea at that time. These experiences, and many others, have affected my perspective of the world in a way that I would have never predicted. So, I have decided to list five behaviors I have engaged in over the last year in order to make myself more open to the people around me and the life that I lead.
1. Always reading everything I can (directions, books, online resources) about the topic that I'm trying to understand. This has been especially helpful in being a more independent worker-both professionally and in my classes. Most of the time, all of the answers are in the materials recommended to us. This has also helped me to understand other people's perspectives and challenge my own assumptions about different topics.
2. Always asking questions. It's difficult to admit that you are wrong, and perhaps even more difficult to admit that you don't know. This has been especially so for me in a role where I have a number of certifications and many hours of training. Challenging myself to ask the questions I don't feel like asking has helped me understand what my own strengths and weaknesses are, and when they most affect my performance.
3. Being mindful of my own assumptions, my mood, and my presence in my interpersonal interactions. This behavior is especially difficult for me to practice at times. I tend to be extremely cynical, forward-focused, and distracted while interacting with others in certain situations. Stepping away from my personal feelings and developing a more professional attitude in my different roles has helped me to understand how I can have a more positive impact on my community.
4. Spending time each day doing activities that are important to me. This one seems like the obvious one, and it is always listed in self-care articles. While it can be helpful to find something you like and practice it often for personal health reasons, it can also be beneficial for performance as a student and professional. Setting goals and reaching them can be very rewarding, and different hobbies and personal care habits are great for goal-setting.
5. Practicing empathy, but acknowledging that other's experiences are valuable and unique. I find myself saying "I totally understand" when listening to others talking about something that is important to them. While I may certainly understand what they are saying in the sense that I comprehend their language, I can't relate in the sense that I have not lived their experiences and I don't perceive the world in the same way. Switching my language to better reflect that I acknowledge their personal value, their accomplishments, and their needs instead of evaluating their situation has helped me to better meet the needs of the people that I work with and for.
