Journal Entry #5

In this activity you will practice the language of personal responsibility. By learning to translate Victim statements into Creator statements, you will master the language of successful people.

1. Draw a line down the middle of a journal page. On the left side of the line, copy the ten Victim language statements found on the next page.

2. On the right side of the line, translate the Victim statements into the words of a Creator.

Victim Language

1. If they’d do something about the parking on campus, I wouldn’t be late so often.
2. I’m failing my online class because the site is too impossible to navigate.
3. I’m too shy to ask questions in class even when I’m confused.
4. She’s a lousy instructor. That’s why I failed the first test.
5. I hate group projects because people are lazy and I always end up doing most of the work.
6. I wish I could write better, but I just can’t.
7. My friend got me so angry that I can’t even study for the exam.
8. I’ll try to do my best this semester.
9. The financial aid form is too complicated to fill out.
10. I work nights so I didn’t have time to do the assignment

Creator Language

1. If I got to campus a little earlier I’d have time to find parking, and make it to class on time.
2. If I view a tutorial online about my class website, or spend some extra time navigating it, I can excel in my online class.
3. If I work up the courage to ask questions in class I might be helping out other students who are too shy to ask.
4. I may have failed my first test, but if I find my own ways to learn the material, I can study and ace all my tests
5. If I don’t want to get stuck with all the work in a group project, I can assign everybody tasks so that we all do an equal amount of work.
6. If I study new forms of writing and practice them, I can become a better writer.
7. My friend may have made me angry, but I need to focus on studying because I’ll be even angrier if I let that affect my test grade.
8. I’ll take better notes, go to the tutoring center, and completely focus on school so I can do my best this semester.
9. I’m having trouble filling out the financial aid form, so I’ll go to the Financial Aid office to get some help with it.
10. I need to do my assignments right after school since I don’t have time to do them at night.

3. Write what you have learned or relearned about how you use language: Is it your habit to speak as Victim or as a Creator? Do you find yourself more inclined to blame yourself, blame others, or seek solutions?

While reading about practicing Creator language I learned that I tend to speak Victim Language more often. I think I speak Victim Language more often because its easier to be a Victim than a Creator. Being a Victim allows you to put the blame on others and in a sense brainwash yourself into thinking nothing is your fault, therefore there is no resolution to your problem. Being a Creator takes responsibility and courage to admit your wrongs and what you need to do to fix them. I'm not saying I am a complete Victim because there are times where I do "man up" and admit when I'm in the wrong, but I need to become fluent in Creator Language. Being fluent in Creator Language is the only way I am going to successfully make it through this world becausr resolutions solve problems, excuses don't. My goal is to stop being the victim and take action against the issues I want to fix. I plan on accomplishing this goal by focusing on school, getting a job, and successfully making my way throughout college and eventually leading to my career.

Self- Assesment Test Results, Journal #1 & Journal #3

Results from Self-Assessment Activity from Downing On Course

Student: Amber Villa

Instructor: Kate O'Brien

Course: Counseling 151

45 -Score #1: Accepting Personal Responsibility

45 -Score #2: Discovering Self-Motivation

39 -Score #3: Mastering Self-Management

55 -Score #4: Employing Interdependence

54 -Score #5: Gaining Self-Awareness

38 -Score #6: Adopting Lifelong Learning

21 -Score #7: Developing Emotional Intelligence

38 -Score #8: Believing in Myself

Scores Within This Range Indicate
 0 - 39 ...an area where your choices will seldom get you on course.
40 - 63 ...an area where your choices will sometimes get you on course.
64 - 80 ...an area where your choices will usually keep you on course.

Journal Entry #1
In this activity, you will take an inventory of your personal strengths and weaknesses as revealed by your self-assessment questionnaire.

1. Write about the areas on the self-assessment in which you had your highest scores.

By doing the self-assessment, I learned that my two highest strengths
were Employing Interdependence and Gaining Self-Awareness. I think I
scored high in these categories because I enjoy working with others and
would rather work or study on a team/group rather than alone. I like
group work because i feel that others can help me understand what i
need to accomplish and provide insight on how I can do better on the
task that needs to be completed. In high school, Anatomy was very easy
for me because I had an excellent teacher who believed highly in group
work and had games and short sayings to help us remember the
information we needed for our tests. It really benefited me in the end
because he made it so easy for us to remember information that I was
completing the test in a matter of 15 minutes and acing all of them. I
am pretty aware of my capabilities and what I have to offer, and in the
same sense, i know my weaknesses and i know what i need to do to fix
them. I usually think before I act or speak and I try to be conscious and
think about the long term effects my choices can have on myself and
others, I have a great memory, and when I am on task I know what I
need to do and I can produce very efficient work. I also know that I have
tendencies to procrastinate and be lazy but I feel that my strengths can
help me overcome my weaknesses and eventually turn my weaknesses
into strengths as well.

2. Write about the areas of the self-assessment in which you had your lowest scores.

By doing the self-assessment, I learned that the 2 categories I scored
lowest in were Developing Emotional Intelligence and Adopting Lifelong
Learning. I think I scored low in these categories because I'm not that
good at managing time, money, or my priorities. I tend to let the "wants"
come before the "needs". I admit that I have put fun before my studies
and it has hurt me in the end. In High School Economics and Government
just were not my subjects. It seemed like no matter what I did, I couldn't
understand it so I started developing a negative attitude. I figured, I'm not
gonna do well anyway so why even bother. I completely pushed those
subjects to the side and treated them as if they weren't there. Then one
time I just decided to fully apply myself and I ended up getting a B plus
on my test. The highest score I have ever gotten. That B plus was the
best motivation to get me to care about that class. Like I mentioned
before, I know my weaknesses and what I need to do to fix them, it's just
a matter of me stopping my laziness, putting the fun aside, and cracking
down on what I need to do. I realize that I am now in College and the
high school games won't fly here, therefore, I am completely committed
to changing my negative view on life, to a positive view, and utilizing my
skills to the best of their ability.


Journal Entry #3
In this activity, you will explore your strengths and weaknesses and the reputation you have with yourself. This exploration of your self-esteem will allow you to begin revising any limiting beliefs you may hold about yourself. By doing so you will take a major step toward your success.

1. In your journal, write a list of ten or more of your personal strengths.

• I have a great memory
• I am caring and compassionate
• I am efficient and care about the work i do.
• I have a good reputation
• I am friendly and enjoy meeting new people
• I am open-minded and willing to learn
• I can read and type fast
• I am able to make people laugh and cheer them up
• I have always gotten good grades
• I am always willing to help someone in need

2. Write a list of ten or more of your personal weaknesses.

• I'm not physically fit
• I procrastinate as much as I can
• I can be very lazy at times
• My feelings get hurt easily
• I'm short-tempered and defensive
• I let my bad attitude get the best of me
• I have a negative outlook on like rather than positive
• I'm argumentative
• I get discouraged easily
• I envy those who know what they want in life.

3. Using the information in steps 1 and 2 and score #8 on your self-assessment, write about the present state of your self-esteem.

Based on my personal strengths, weaknesses, and my score for #8 on the self-assessment, I'd rate my self-esteem at about a 7. I am not completely unsatisfied with myself but then again I am not completely satisfied with who I am right now. I know I have great potential and that I can be this amazingly together, and organized young woman. I'll admit I let my weaknesses overpower my strengths. My main weaknesses are laziness and procrastination. For some reason I've had this mentality that everything would just fall into place after graduation, but I know it takes work and a lot from me to become the person I want to be. Overall I think I have a good self-esteem. I do have some insecurities but then again everybody does. I used to dwell on what I didn't have rather than being thankful and acknowledging everything I was blessed with. I think my self-esteem got to where it's at right now because of me. Its nobodies fault but mine. I wasn't caring enough to better myself or even attempting to go that extra mile. For some reason I've always been okay with being mediocre and just getting by, but now that I'm getting into my adulthood, I want more out of my life. When I was in school and in sports, my teachers and coaches always told me I had great potential and that I could be so much better if I just applied myself but to be honest I didn't really care. Average has always been okay for me but I know in the real world employers aren't looking for "Average" people. In order for me to achieve my ideal self-esteem I need to stop being lazy, stop procrastinating, and stop seeing myself as a victim with no control over what happens. I know I can do it with a little motivation and a little guidance.