The Better Me: Better World Project, part of the NSLS's Executive Leadership course, strives to cultivate relevant, successful, and inspiring leaders. Embarking on this journey has been transformative for me, allowing me to grow in various areas of my life. However, it was not without its challenges—I struggled with consistency, laziness, time management, and procrastination along the way. Despite these obstacles, I remained committed to working through them, though I recognize that my efforts were not always as effective or efficient as they could have been.
One of my primary goals was to improve my physical health by going to the gym regularly. While I started with the intention of working out five days per week, my struggles with consistency sometimes derailed my plans. There were days when laziness got the better of me, and I skipped workouts or made excuses. Poor time management often left me scrambling to fit gym sessions into an already busy schedule. Nonetheless, I persisted and managed to build a routine that improved my energy levels and productivity. Although I wasn’t as disciplined as I hoped to be, the progress I made has motivated me to continue striving for better habits.
Learning conversational Spanish was another area where I faced challenges. While I genuinely enjoyed using Duolingo and Sophia courses, procrastination frequently slowed my progress. There were moments when I postponed lessons, convincing myself that I’d catch up later, only to realize I had fallen behind. Balancing this goal with other commitments required greater time management skills than I initially had. Despite these setbacks, I stayed determined to learn, and over time, I gained the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. My journey was slower than I anticipated, but it taught me the importance of patience and perseverance.
Meditation became a vital aspect of my self-care routine, but even here, I struggled with consistency. While I knew the benefits of listening to my meditation app before bed, there were nights when laziness or poor planning led me to skip sessions. Procrastination also played a role, as I sometimes delayed my practice until it was too late. However, the times I did stick to the routine brought immense benefits, including better stress management and improved emotional balance. Although I wasn’t as committed as I could have been, the tools I gained through meditation have helped me navigate challenges more calmly.
My academic journey was another area where time management issues and procrastination posed difficulties. Completing ethics courses was critical to reaching my SMART goal of earning my bachelor’s degree, but I often found myself juggling deadlines and cramming for assignments at the last minute. While my efforts resulted in A grades, I recognize that better planning and a more consistent approach could have eased the process and reduced stress. Achieving these milestones has brought me closer to my larger goal and boosted my confidence.
Volunteering with the American Legion was deeply fulfilling, yet even here, I faced challenges in maintaining focus and efficiency. Time management issues sometimes left me struggling to balance volunteer activities with other commitments, and laziness occasionally tempted me to take the easier route rather than putting in maximum effort. Despite these moments, I remained dedicated to serving my community, and my involvement allowed me to contribute to creating a supportive environment. While I wasn’t always as effective as I wanted to be, the experience taught me the importance of showing up and staying engaged.
In reflecting on my journey, I see how my challenges shaped me as much as my successes. Struggling with consistency, laziness, time management, and procrastination forced me to confront my limitations and develop improvement strategies. Though my efforts were not always ideal, I am proud of the progress I made and the resilience I demonstrated in working through these obstacles. The Better Me: Better World Project has equipped me with valuable lessons and tools that I will carry forward as I continue to grow and strive for greater efficiency and effectiveness in achieving my goals. Through this experience, I have learned that perseverance, even in the face of setbacks, is key to creating a better version of myself and positively impacting those around me.