Self

This I Believe

I came up with this idea while baking for Thanksgiving. I spent hours in the kitchen knowing that I wouldn't even eat the cookies I made. However, I had no reason to complain. I got to spend the day in the kitchen baking for my family, eating more cookie dough than I'd like to admit. I'll always take the chance to enjoy the journey.

Best Self Project

Every morning, I wake up and stare at myself in a $7 Target mirror. Written in black Sharpie are the qualities that my loved ones say describe me when I am my “best self.” Though my reflection is broken by the calligraphy and I cannot see myself, this mirror helps me see myself.

Though I will sometimes use this mirror to check an outfit before I walk out the door, the goal of this mirror is not to see a clear reflection of my body. This mirror helps to remind me of the internal qualities that cannot be seen through a typical reflection.

The “Best Self Project” is a staple in the Comprehensive Leadership Program as it allows students to know their best qualities that impact their leadership. When tasked with completing this project, I could not have predicted the impact this mirror would have on my personal growth.

Every morning, I am prompted to look beyond the physical imperfections that my eyes tend to catch. I look deeper for the qualities that my loved ones used to describe me and try to live those out.

EQ Profile Kendall Adams.pdf

A helpful tool for me was the "Mood Meter". It helped break the idea that some emotions are good and some emotions are bad. When properly balanced, all emotions can offer us gifts. We would start off every class with the mood meter. It required vulnerability to share where I was on the mood meter sometimes, but it helped build a safe space in the classroom.

Emotional Intelligence

As a part of LDRS 325 The Practice of Leadership, I took the WE-I Emotional Intelligence Assessment. Unlike other personality tests, the WE-I profile summarizes how you show up specifically in stress and conflict.

After taking the assessment, each week of the course is dedicated to working through the profile. We start to build emotional toolkits by practicing empathy and forming self-regulation habits.

Seeing my results was humbling to say the least. I had been raised on Dr. Phil and self help books. My profile helped me to see that I struggle naming my feelings. While I can easily articulate what I want and need, naming how I feel is really difficult for me.

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