Developing strategies is not just for organizations, it can be used by individuals, as well. Just as organizations need to develop strategic plans to achieve their organization goals and to maintain profitability, individuals can do the same for their career goals. Many individuals are at a “crossroads” in their personal and professional lives. They are unable to determine the best course of action for making improvements in their professional lives even after obtaining a college degree. For some of these individuals, it is a period of stagnation and for others the opportunity for a new beginning. These individuals can use assistance in evaluating career alternatives, developing strategies to get the career they desire, and knowledge on developing, maintaining, and sustaining healthy relationships both personally and professionally.
While individuals are focusing on their education and careers, many are neglecting their personal lives, which can have a significant impact on their professional career growth. It is imperative for individuals to be able to balance career and family to achieve their professional and personal goals. This balance can be achieved by developing, implementing, and evaluating life strategies that promote individual continuous improvement, a concept that has been relegated to organizations in the past, but when used appropriately by individuals can have a significant impact on their decision-making abilities.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Like a good neighbor
We hear so much about “why are we helping people that were not responsible in their borrowing?” or “why should I fit the bill for my neighbor?” What happened to the “good neighbor” philosophy, where neighbors were concerned about each other and it was okay to borrow a cup of sugar or to welcome new people to the neighborhood? It got lost in the greed and ambition of individuals as their incomes increased and they realized that they did not need the assistance of their neighbors.
In the good ole’ days, the neighbors helped each other by babysitting providing food and even helping with the bills when there was a need. Now you cannot ask your neighbor for even a cup of sugar without their being a hassle.
The financial crisis is affecting us all, not just your neighbor. Higher prices, lower housing property values, and loss of jobs within the community are not just your neighbor’s issue, but your issue, as well. As neighbors we can work together to overcome some of the issues that are occurring by helping each other while in need, whether it is emotional, financial, or spiritual. Once we get back to some of the core values that made our ancestors so strong, we will be able to see how important it is to “love thy neighbor”.
In the good ole’ days, the neighbors helped each other by babysitting providing food and even helping with the bills when there was a need. Now you cannot ask your neighbor for even a cup of sugar without their being a hassle.
The financial crisis is affecting us all, not just your neighbor. Higher prices, lower housing property values, and loss of jobs within the community are not just your neighbor’s issue, but your issue, as well. As neighbors we can work together to overcome some of the issues that are occurring by helping each other while in need, whether it is emotional, financial, or spiritual. Once we get back to some of the core values that made our ancestors so strong, we will be able to see how important it is to “love thy neighbor”.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Chris Brown and Rihanna
There has been some publicity and controversy concerning the Chris Brown and Rihanna incident that resulted in Rihanna being treated for injuries at a hospital and Chris Brown charged with domestic violence. While we do not know the details of the incident, we do know that one party did sustain injuries and the other party faces criminal charges. In the time since the incident, neither party has disclosed much information concerning the incident, other than to state that Rihanna is recovering and Chris Brown can not disclose any details due to the legal implications and that he is seeking counseling from friends and family. There have been many opinions expressed concerning the matter from celebrities, the media, and even the general public as to the responsibility for the incident and what should occur. With the incident, Rihanna has maintained her contracts, while Chris Brown has been steadily losing contracts and some popularity. Yet, we do not know the extent of the incident and what caused the couple to become embittered to the point that a physical altercation occurred. Are we right to judge Chris Brown so harshly without due process? Is Rihanna the only victim or is Chris Brown a victim, as well?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
No Adult Left Behind: Moving beyond No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has created significant opportunities for children to “grow” academically in preparing them for Postsecondary Education. It has so many excellent initiatives to reduce illiteracy and equalize the elementary and secondary education “playing field”. However, it is really not enough to prepare children academically for Postsecondary Education, because there are so many other variables that can affect a child’s success in the Postsecondary Education realm. The inefficiencies in NCLB are demonstrated in the enrollment, attrition, and retention issues that so many postsecondary education institutions face today.
Many students are prepared academically to succeed. However, they lack the ability to utilize decision making tools to determine the best academic setting conducive to their learning abilities, assessment of the culture of a postsecondary education institution, and coping with the change in environment from the “disciplined” high school structure to a more “self-empowered” postsecondary education environment. These are just some of the variables that can affect the child’s success in completing their education after high school. Secondary and Postsecondary Education Institutions have to be cognizant of these student inefficiencies as the transit from high school graduates to adults seeking college degrees.
Governor Granholm’s initiative to “double the number of Michigan College graduates” is a very obtainable goal. However, children will need more preparation in achieving this goal than just academically. Postsecondary Education Institutions have significant problems with enrollment, attrition, and retention which will have a significant affect on this goal. Through many are developing strategies for overcoming these issues, the real preparation for a child’s success begins during elementary and secondary education in helping the children to develop “a decision making tool kit” that transcends beyond “academics” into a more comprehensive knowledge base that can help them to persevere in the Postsecondary Education environment of “choice”.
In addition, postsecondary education institutions have to be prepared to “assist” the student in identifying their barriers to academic success and in the development of resolution strategies. This is not an easy task. It will take collaboration between the Secondary and Postsecondary Education realms to formulate strategies that go beyond the academic provisions for success in college to the emotional, spiritual, and moral philosophy building. As a child exits the high school “door” and moves into adulthood, “No Child Left Behind” has to also evolve to “No Adult Left Behind” with the decision making tools to achieve their Postsecondary Education goals and become more productive members of society.
Many students are prepared academically to succeed. However, they lack the ability to utilize decision making tools to determine the best academic setting conducive to their learning abilities, assessment of the culture of a postsecondary education institution, and coping with the change in environment from the “disciplined” high school structure to a more “self-empowered” postsecondary education environment. These are just some of the variables that can affect the child’s success in completing their education after high school. Secondary and Postsecondary Education Institutions have to be cognizant of these student inefficiencies as the transit from high school graduates to adults seeking college degrees.
Governor Granholm’s initiative to “double the number of Michigan College graduates” is a very obtainable goal. However, children will need more preparation in achieving this goal than just academically. Postsecondary Education Institutions have significant problems with enrollment, attrition, and retention which will have a significant affect on this goal. Through many are developing strategies for overcoming these issues, the real preparation for a child’s success begins during elementary and secondary education in helping the children to develop “a decision making tool kit” that transcends beyond “academics” into a more comprehensive knowledge base that can help them to persevere in the Postsecondary Education environment of “choice”.
In addition, postsecondary education institutions have to be prepared to “assist” the student in identifying their barriers to academic success and in the development of resolution strategies. This is not an easy task. It will take collaboration between the Secondary and Postsecondary Education realms to formulate strategies that go beyond the academic provisions for success in college to the emotional, spiritual, and moral philosophy building. As a child exits the high school “door” and moves into adulthood, “No Child Left Behind” has to also evolve to “No Adult Left Behind” with the decision making tools to achieve their Postsecondary Education goals and become more productive members of society.
Support for Gaza
America is going to donate 800 million to Gaza for humanitarian aid and yet there is controversy over 8000 billion for stimulating the American economy. This is truly ironic. American citizens are starving and homeless and the stimulus bill is being criticized because it has some spending in it. It would seem that the American government is more concerned about humanitarian aid to foreign countries rather than humanitarian aid for the American citizens. American citizens are without jobs and many are not entitled to welfare benefits or unemployment benefits. If they do receive benefits, they are not enough to cover even their basic needs and yet the American Government in concerned more about the living conditions in foreign countries than in America. There is no republican and democratic dispute over providing the humanitarian aid to Gaza and yet there is significant controversy over increasing unemployment benefits, food stamps, and monetary support for the American families. Why can’t American citizens receive direct monies instead of tax cuts and income tax rebates that really have no impact on stimulating the economy and improving the financial plight of the individuals and families? What is our government thinking? Where is the humanitarian aid for Americans? Why are we relegated to second class citizenship behind the need to aid foreign countries as our own economy is crumbling? The aid that is being provided to Gaza could benefit millions of families that are suffering a financial crisis because of politicians, banks, and other entities that are so focused on their own greed that they do not care about how the American citizen is faring. What is the purpose of having a government when the people are in need, the government is more concerned about the federal deficit if it helps American citizens than providing humanitarian aid to Gaza? As an American citizen, what rationale can the American government indicate for proving support for Gaza when so many American citizens are suffering just as much as the people in Gaza?
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