And so it begins...
Our project consists in researching the different factors that influence and determine happiness. I'm excited to take a closer look to all the concepts that play an important role in our daily lives by working with different organizations and trying new and exciting activities each day.
My mentor, Denise Yamada who works as a life coach invited Dylan and I to one of her workshops. It was during this one that I was able to experience an activity that opened my mind to a new world of possibilities. During the conference, it was determined that my 'purpose' is to contribute and bring harmony to the world. It was such an intense activity that literally brought me to tears.
My mentor, Denise Yamada who works as a life coach invited Dylan and I to one of her workshops. It was during this one that I was able to experience an activity that opened my mind to a new world of possibilities. During the conference, it was determined that my 'purpose' is to contribute and bring harmony to the world. It was such an intense activity that literally brought me to tears.
Decisions
While choosing a job there are three factors that people usually consider to be the most important: pay, schedule and location. However, after just one week... It has become clearer and clearer that personally, what matters the most is the environment and the team I work with. This week I've learned that when plans don't follow through is important to remember that the opportunity to make the best out of any situation still there. We visited certain events that were not exactly how I had pictured them in my head, I feared this would disappoint my peers and that the day would end as a disaster. However to my surprise, everyone seem to remain with a positive attitude. This worked as a reminder to make sure to enjoy ourselves and our time together no matter where we go. At the end of the day, we all managed to get our work done and still have a good time regardless of the circumstances. As cheesy as it might sound, my work environment has become my team. Every day, we experience something new and I'm looking forward to keep discovering happiness with the people who mean the most to me. I have faith that as long as we continue motivating each other the way we've been, we'll soon become the better versions of ourselves. I am looking forward to unfolding the rest of this project and to it all come to life.
A happier, better me
Some of the skills I am working on developing throughout the month include: being able to step out of my comfort zone, worry less, enjoy more, be present and work towards maintaining a positive attitude. It's interesting to be working not only on a project but on myself. I've been trying to dedicate more time to doing the things that make me happy. For example, I started to read poetry every day and this has inspired me to write my own. My hope is to get better at appreciating my own work and not be so hard on myself. My goal is to feel comfortable enough to share my writing with others and hopefully get some of it published!
However, for now I will share one of my favorite poems I came across this week. |
Is happiness stressful?
As I came across a client today at one of the organizations we work with, we stroke a conversation and I ended up explaining our project, As I did so, he commented: "Finding happiness is a project you will work on for the rest of your life." This realization really did take me by surprise because I have been focusing my time and energy into making sure our calendar is perfectly thought out, that everyone is a 100% sure of what we are doing each day and the kind of goal there is to achieve. Every day, I see more possible actions or activities we could do to spread happiness around and although, the thought is a nice one, little by little these ones have been adding on. Am I glad I chose this project, though? Absolutely. The stress is bearable when you are working with an amazing team that makes you look forward to coming into work the next morning. Do I wish we had more time? Maybe. But I truly do believe even with stress included, we all manage to make the best out of every situation and that just because finding happiness will continue to be a work in progress doesn't mean we should be discouraged by it. If anything, this statement works as a reminder that there is still time to figure it all out and make the world a better place.
Happy, happy, happy
Networking
Our mentor relationship has been mostly over email and phone calls. With 4 mentors its hard to arrange a convenient time for everyone to meet, especially since we have been lucky enough to be working with directors and founders. One of my favorite things is able to connect with our head mentor, Marcy. She oversees the group in a weekly basis and even though it is a virtual relationship, we are able to give the feel that she has accompanied us in all and each one of our adventures. Since we are working on our own project, every Monday we explain to her our action plan and vision and every Friday we go over the challenges that we faced. It's great to feel so supported and cared for while working on such a big and almost independent project. I really do believe we wouldn't have been able to get to where we are today without her help.
'Passion + Purpose= World Change'
Marcy has been a career coach for over ten years. She believes the best way to make the world a better place is through helping others find their own passion and purpose. Over this project, I have learned that validation is a key component to happiness; that people feel better about the environment they're in when they feel like they are making a difference. I am glad Marcy gets to live this concept as a principle in her life. I have participated in different workshops and it has been incredibly interesting to reflect on my answers and dig real deep into my subconscious. It's only through these moments where I am told to listen to my heart and not think with my head. I thank Marcy for her soul searching questions and for all the engagements she has had with us and all her clients. All these programs have opened my eyes (and I'm sure it has done the same to others) to the kind of life I would like to build for myself and to allow myself to live. I hope in the future I get to work somewhere where I am not only successful, but also feel passionate and happy about what I do.
Work Ethic
It's quite an honor to say that I have contributed to Make A Wish by helping them make countdown calendars. What the calendars do is help the wish granter look forward to their wish a month before it even happens. Make A Wish's work ethic continues to amaze me and after interviewing the staff, I can't imagine settling for a job that doesn't motivate to get up every morning.
This project has been incredibly meaningful in the way it has changed my perspective about "the real world" completely. I used to think work was a place where people were trapped in order to afford their daily bread and that passions were nothing more than a hobby. However, now I know it is possible to share both in the same environment. I dream to be given the opportunity someday to work with an organization that stays true to its mission and it inspires its workers to do the same.
I am currently working on our book; which contains a compilation of photos, poems, songs and short narrations of what we lived this month. I am excited to see how it will come out in the end, as I go through the process of putting it together, I already reminisce the memories we've lived together.
This project has been incredibly meaningful in the way it has changed my perspective about "the real world" completely. I used to think work was a place where people were trapped in order to afford their daily bread and that passions were nothing more than a hobby. However, now I know it is possible to share both in the same environment. I dream to be given the opportunity someday to work with an organization that stays true to its mission and it inspires its workers to do the same.
I am currently working on our book; which contains a compilation of photos, poems, songs and short narrations of what we lived this month. I am excited to see how it will come out in the end, as I go through the process of putting it together, I already reminisce the memories we've lived together.
And to an end we come.
Before externship began, I had started crafting emails and our proposal for months. I started sending and receiving over 5-7 emails on daily basis. I can honestly say, I send over 100 emails just for this project to come to life. This experience made me extremely appreciative of people who dedicate their lives, time and effort into writing emails. Although most see them as an easy task, there is a lot of thoughtfulness that goes into it and if it wasn't for this project, I would've never realized the big impact that they have. After all, "Seven Doors To Happiness" officially began with a "this was such an interesting email to read! Let me discuss it with my team." Eventually it grew into "We would love to be involved. When can you guys start?", "We would love to have you", "We'd be happy to incorporate you into our system"... and many many more.
I have always been told the importance of networking. How much of a difference it makes and how far it can get me. However, I was always too shy to make sure I could make a memorable impression or to introduce myself again after someone had mispronounced my name. This month changed my perspective on the subject completely. Because I had done most of the connecting, a lot of the directors or staff members that were waiting for us to arrive, would specifically ask for me. "Are you Mabel?" or "Are you who I have been emailing?". It takes a lot of consciousness to step back and realize that there is a real person behind every email. Although it was uncomfortable for me at the beginning, now I understand the importance of creating these connections as they can truly make a huge difference.
I have also realized that whatever it is I end up doing, I want to make sure it gives back. I want my job to better the people in it, the community and the world in general. During one of the interviews we had, one of the staff members from ICOHS mentioned that one of his colleagues had inspired him over the years to always give the extra mile and put the extra effort. At our last meeting with our mentor, Marcy we were told to "give ourselves the permission to create" and to "never create to impress others" because at the end of the day, what we make should satisfy us and no one else. These words have taught me that at the end of the day, the only person I should strike to make proud is myself.
Before externship, my idea of offices were nothing more than sad small claustrophobic desks. However, after a short month of working with ICOHS, Q International and Make A Wish, my perspective couldn't be any more different. These organizations have managed to incorporate the same aspects that High Tech High implements to their offices; making them an enjoyable, opening and inspiring workplace to be at. I have learned that the people who work at these places, truly want to be there and look forward to going to work every morning. During the interviews, one of the questions followed: "How would you describe a daily day at work?" and my favorite (and common answer) appeared to be: "Every day is different." "Not knowing what to expect". I hope to one day work in an environment that inspires me in that exact same way.
I have always been told the importance of networking. How much of a difference it makes and how far it can get me. However, I was always too shy to make sure I could make a memorable impression or to introduce myself again after someone had mispronounced my name. This month changed my perspective on the subject completely. Because I had done most of the connecting, a lot of the directors or staff members that were waiting for us to arrive, would specifically ask for me. "Are you Mabel?" or "Are you who I have been emailing?". It takes a lot of consciousness to step back and realize that there is a real person behind every email. Although it was uncomfortable for me at the beginning, now I understand the importance of creating these connections as they can truly make a huge difference.
I have also realized that whatever it is I end up doing, I want to make sure it gives back. I want my job to better the people in it, the community and the world in general. During one of the interviews we had, one of the staff members from ICOHS mentioned that one of his colleagues had inspired him over the years to always give the extra mile and put the extra effort. At our last meeting with our mentor, Marcy we were told to "give ourselves the permission to create" and to "never create to impress others" because at the end of the day, what we make should satisfy us and no one else. These words have taught me that at the end of the day, the only person I should strike to make proud is myself.
Before externship, my idea of offices were nothing more than sad small claustrophobic desks. However, after a short month of working with ICOHS, Q International and Make A Wish, my perspective couldn't be any more different. These organizations have managed to incorporate the same aspects that High Tech High implements to their offices; making them an enjoyable, opening and inspiring workplace to be at. I have learned that the people who work at these places, truly want to be there and look forward to going to work every morning. During the interviews, one of the questions followed: "How would you describe a daily day at work?" and my favorite (and common answer) appeared to be: "Every day is different." "Not knowing what to expect". I hope to one day work in an environment that inspires me in that exact same way.