Back To Camp I Go

Well it is that wonderful time of year again, school is right around the corner and training camp is in full swing. Yes I have finished school, and for the first time in four years I was not headed to training camp. The last month I have been torn up about that, found it odd I was not preparing to get back into a school routine with a schedule filled with soccer. Playing for my university team has become a way of life for me, and the people involved have become my family.

About a week ago I talked about a decision I had to make, I had finally received a call I was waiting for. The head coach was looking for me to step up and help him out. The offer was an honour; it was something I have so badly wanted to do. I knew it would benefit me as a coach, and it would benefit me personally as it was a great experience and this team is something that makes me happy. After dedicating four years of my life to playing for this team, this was the perfect parting gift, an invitation to return.

The only problem was that I took the year off to work, and coaching this team left me with limited time to do that. After a week of no sleep, and advice from everyone who seemed to have very strong and very differing opinions I reached an agreement with work and soccer to allow me to do a bit of each. So this week I have been insanely busy working full time, coaching my soccer babies, and having training camp start. However I would not have it any other way. I am back with my family, back doing what I love, and enjoying every minute.

So here is to another training camp, here is to another season, to all of the ups, all of the downs. To all of the wins, and to all of the losses, and of course here is to all of the memories that will be made!

The Waiting Game

I finished my courses, some over a week ago. Now it is time for the waiting game. I work hard, and I like to see my hard work pay off. It seems every year I pick the courses, and or professors that take the longest to get their grades up. This was my toughest semester, my hardest classes, and I think I responded well. This is why I am so anxious to get my grades back. You just never know what is going to know

I am the most impatient person I know, which makes this waiting game that much tougher.

Hoping everyone keeps their fingers crossed for me!

Voicemails & Proud Moments

Yesterday was a day I was proud of beyond many I have had in my life. I survived what was to be my hardest semester, what were to be my toughest courses, and what became my most strenuous two weeks. I may not have done it with a ton of grace, or all kinds of dignity, but I did it. Yesterday I passed in my final marketing strategies paper, and I don’t think I ever felt more relieved.

I am not yet done my degree, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel, two arts electives stand between my degree and I. These courses I know will be a challenge for me, and I am looking forward to it. However I must admit when I finished my paper and submitted it yesterday I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders, I felt accomplished, and I felt proud.

Me being proud of myself is one thing, but I was shocked, I received a few voicemails and text messages from close friends, as well as from some unexpected people, and it really warmed my heart, and made the moment even sweeter. I know how cheesy that truly sounds but honestly that is how I felt, it was something so simple to do, and most did not even realize how much it meant to me. From people telling me to go enjoy a beer, and have a great day, to others telling me to take over the world.

I always knew I would do the whole university thing, I always new I would finish university, and enjoy every minute… or at least most minutes. It is just weird to think it is all coming to an end, and I really don’t know where I am going to end up next. It is nice to know I can finish what I start, and even nicer to know how many people believe in me.

No matter what is next, no matter the accomplishments, no matter the challenge, no matter the moment I have all the right people in my corner, and they are the people that keep me going, the people that make me want to be better.

Time Management

The workload the last three weeks has been stressful, however I shocked myself with how well I managed my time. I knew I was going to be busy, it was to be expected with my course load, and with the amount I had going on. It was like a call to action for the inner planner and time manager in me.

In prior years during exam crunch my time management skills have not been impeccable, and I certainly had a thing or two to learn. I knew what I was going to be up against this year, more specifically this week. As this week got closer and closer I really didn’t think I was going to be able to handle it gracefully, or get any sleep for that matter. Let me say this once, as I do not say it often, I was wrong. It only took me seven exam periods to learn how to properly manage this hectic time of year.

I made the most comprehensive plan I have ever made; I basically made a plan about my plan. I had productivity goals for the weeks leading up to this week. I survived long enough to make it to this week, now I have daily and hourly productivity goals in place. They were basically guidelines, not easy ones to meet; however I must admit thus far I have met every single one. It was difficult, but I really focused on my plan, I really focused on my work, and I had success. It has been a great feeling, and very satisfying to achieve this level of organization, goal setting, and productivity.

I know the week is far from over, and I still have a huge list of things to do; however if I stay motivated, and if I stay on track I should survive the remainder of my university degree. Although this was not a skill taught to me in a course, it is something I can take away from my university experience. Not everything I learned the last four years has been learned in a classroom. Here is to having a million more opportunities to learn, and here is to surviving the rest of my week so I can enjoy the first step to the rest of my life.

Group Work

Yesterday at school I was faced with a moral dilemma, I am a marketing and management student; therefore my entire education and course work is made up of group work. Typically I make sure to get myself in groups I know I can work well with. In this case I did just that, it was a great semester, I loved my group members, however one just seemed not to be as involved. I cannot really pass judgment on that as I am someone who most likely at point has been the exact same way everyone has their days, you just never really know what is going on with someone. However I do know this semester she was not really herself.

We get to the last class and we had to do group evaluations, now here came the tricky part, I had worked with her in the past and she had been great, she is a great person, how was I going to dock her marks?! Well it came down their the fact I needed to be honest, it was business, and in the real world no matter how much your boss or co-workers like you if you’re not doing your job you’re not going to get a good review. In the comments sections I was sure to be kind, but honest, I was proud of my self for doing the right thing, but I also felt crappy I had to do that to someone I liked so much. The worst part is she caught a glimpse of my review and saw that I did not grade her the same as the rest of the group.

I very well could have lied, given her a glowing review and not had to deal with hurting someone’s feelings. I doubt highly I would have been left feeling better as that would have meant I was not being honest, and I pride myself on the fact I am a very honest person. I guess making decisions like this are just part of growing up, they are part of having integrity, part of the real world, and they are part of doing business.

 

What do we have if we don’t have our integrity?