The DISC

No one really knows
Who people really are
But way deep down inside
Everyone has a treasure
What this treasure is
Contains a certain letter
Within this letter is
A personality so clever
Some hold dominance over others
While others aim to please
A few are steady as the wind
But even less are neat
Separate they’re all just a piece
Of one gliding golden disc

Let’s Talk it Over

Throughout the semester I thoroughly enjoyed writing these blog entries for the mere purpose that it is a way to express my feelings. Usually classes are so structured and sometimes the ideas of students go unheard. However, this allows us to not only broadcast our thoughts, but do so in a way that is protected in a sense that no one will disagree with our thoughts while we communicate them.

Having this be 20% of my grade was indeed a cushion, but I think the best part about the grading system was having the ability to debate on what testing style should be used.

In reference to the topics presented in class, the blogs relating to them do help in a way that makes us think back to how we acted and took on the challenges provided in class, but I think the most effective way of going over the topics was during the class following the challenges. Having these classes held after the tasks made it interesting to think back and see how I handled things. Oddly, it’s sort of like being part of an experiment completely unknown to you and then being rated on how you did; interesting, yet educational at the same time.

The ABC’s of DISC

In the test to gauge my management orientation style, I ended up being the letter “D”. Being that I’ve had experience in leading, whether it is president of a group, teaching and tutoring other students, and a peer mentor in this school, I felt pretty confident that I would end up being this letter. My past experiences have given me the ability to be decisive and aggressive in implementing plans that need to be accomplished. Although my score placed me in the dominance category, I also feel that I possess some “I” qualities such as having the ability to influence others, but also be aware to a group’s emotional needs. I think that this test helped in a way that it made me better understand myself, but not necessarily shape me in any way.

In the “Stranded” scenario, I felt I was very aggressive in making my opinions heard, but I also used my ability to influence others to agree to my decisions. I was able to successfully convince my group to agree with my decision, but ironically, it was the wrong decision!

VISION OF THE FUTURE

Ever since I was a child, the idea of having a successful future was drilled into me by those around me. My whole life I have lived to please my family through my school work, but at this age I have come to the realization that life has more to offer than just an A at the top of a paper. For instance, after traveling to Honduras, one of my major goals in life has become to establish a school for children in Honduras. I believe that education is important and everyone, especially children should have the opportunity to obtain it, but the poverty level in this country prevents this from being possible. The education and the food that the school will prove will not only give the children nourishment, but also some kind of stability that is important in the emotional growth of children. Although this is my main goal in life, four other goals that I have include: being able to provide for my parents in appreciation for all that they have done for me, finishing school in the next 5 years with a JD/MBA degree, having a family of my own and being able to care for them both emotionally and financially, and lastly, making a positive impact on someone else’s life.

Egg Drop Soup

When first presented with the task of dropping an egg without it breaking, the first thought that entered my mind was that it must be a trick that there was no way it could work. However, after I got assigned to a group, my group immediately started to plan ways to cushion the egg without hesitating to think if it were even possible. It was through my group's enthusiasm of accomplishing the goal that I was able to focus my energy on coming up with possibilities.

Looking back, it is clear that my group followed every step of the planning process. From measuring our resources and the allocation of it, to the alternatives, and then to the implementation of our plan. My group might not have successfully accomplished the task in the sense that our egg broke (with grace of course), but we did manage to meet the challenge head on and execute our plan with precision.

Let me introduce myself...

To my fellow Bloggers,

Many of you do not know who I am, but that is fine considering I will not know you are reading this and will therefore not know who you are either. However, since we both do not know each other I will take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Tiffanie Chan and I have chosen the title of "Born to Fly" for various reasons. For one, I am part of the first generation in my family to be born within the United States. My family originally from Hong Kong traveled here with the hopes that so many immigrants carry with them; the desire of a new beginning, a greater future, and of course the money. Lucky for me, they were successful in adapting to their new surroundings and because of that I have always been able to live a comfortable lifestyle. Let’s be honest, I have never had to work to pay for my own tuition, rent, let alone a cell phone bill, but I accept everything my family has done for me as a blessing and for this reason I strive for independence.

This brings me to my second reason. Not having to worry about financial issues (especially in our present ever so booming economy) has enabled me to be able to focus on other aspects of my life such as furthering my education and beginning my career. I am now majoring in Accounting with a minor in Law with the goal of continuing to Law school. Living in New York has undoubtedly provided me with numerous job opportunities among other benefits, but I believe there is more waiting for me beyond the horizon of skyscrapers. What exactly lies beyond is unbeknown to me now, but when I do get there, I will be sure to let you know!

Sincerely,
Tiffanie