Think
Again.

Making the Grade

I have the good fortune of teaching a very delightful group of graduate students who are getting their Masters in Healthcare Administration. As usual, the class requirements include papers, presentations and exams, all of which will receive a letter grade.

Recently I gave a mid-term exam to my students whose pre-test anxiety, though understandable, was worry wasted because they all did well on the exam. In a pre-exam review, the students demonstrated a level of knowledge and understanding that they knew the material well enough to earn a high grade.

I have empathy for students and understand the need to have a tangible affirmation and reward for their long hours spent studying. I also understand that we all are looking for tangible affirmations of our value since often the work applied to a task, which impacts our professional or personal goals, may not render immediate results.

What grades are you seeking and getting in your personal life? Are you an "A" student in physical activities, health, relationships, community volunteer work, or making the world a better place through big or small efforts?

In your professional and workplace life, are you making the grade by doing your "A" work in the tasks and roles assigned to you, in getting along with others in the workplace and being a cooperative and effective team member?

What are your criteria for being an "A" student in life? Does being respectful of and courteous to others, being willing to help out with no expectation in return, or remaining peace-filled and tolerant when others are less so fit your personal criteria? Are you making that grade or would you say that you are a "C" student.

If your life is working well for you, but not as well as you would like, perhaps it is because you have done "B" work, instead of putting in the efforts required for an "A". IF all is going very well for you, but it seems too easy, perhaps you may need to revisit your criteria and make it more challenging.

If you are doing "D" work, perhaps it is time that you took responsibility for the poor results in your life. It might be time for a review and revision of your approach to life and the efforts that you put into it. It is not too late.

Affirmation for the Week:
 
“I am personally responsible for the grades on my life report card. If I don't like what I see, I can make the changes necessary to make the grade.”
 
Have a successful self-evaluation week!

Mary Rau-Foster,

Copyright 2005 by Mary Rau-Foster. All rights reserved.
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