Question: What system or software do you use to stay organized for school, work and life? What effectively facilitates you getting things done on time? What’s your #1 productivity tip?

Answer: Aw man when it comes to planning and organizing my life I stay as far away from computer software as possible. I just print out the monthly calendar and tape the four semester months to my desk so I am forced to see them every time I sit at my desk (so I guess the software would be icalendar2018, google images and my DeskJet??) I then put every little thing I have to do on the calendar. I’ve tried using the calendar app on my phone or Google Calendar but I find that with apps or computer software I have a bad habit of ignoring the notifications or opening my phone and the notification goes away and I never think of having to do the thing again. Also the biggest reason why I shy away from software for planning is because I am weirdly uncomfortable with clutter on my phone like if a notification pops up I have to immediately swipe it away, I can’t stand those red notifications about the app, it’s a problem. I say, what facilitates me getting things done is when I sit down at my desk, I have the entire month at my hands and can prioritize what needs to get done for what times. It’s old fashioned but I find it my most effective method. In terms of a productivity tip, my biggest realization was using my night owl tendencies to my advantage. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, I find I’m at my most productive between 10 PM and 2 AM, instead of going to bed and feeling guilty for not being able to sleep, I use that time to catch up on work and I find it really productive. Either way I wake up tired but I’m pretty sure that’s just my state of being now.

Question: Log into my.mun and watch the “Shots Fired with Rob Shea” video in the “Safety on Campus” widget. This video is approximately 18 minutes long. What was the most important thing you took away from this video? Have you ever considered what you would do if an active intruder entered the library while you’re working? What is the first thing you would do and why?

Answer: The most important thing I took from this video was the action to take in an active shooter situation. If in that kind of situation before, I immediately would have hid. Now, because of that video I know to always be aware of potential exits and if I am able to get to them safely, to do that before attempting to hide. I also learned that if I am face to face with an active shooter, a fight mindset is more valuable than flight. Yes, I’ve definitely considered what I would do if an active shooter was in the library. I assume that they would come through the glass doors at the front and hopefully I would be able to detect the shooter when they enter (either because they’re firing or my instincts say so). If I do detect the shooter I would try to make as many people aware as possible and exit through the doors behind the desk towards the study areas. I’d enter the stairwell (cell phone area stairwell) and find my nearest exit downstairs. I’d then call 911 and do what they tell me. If the shooter were to get close to the desk without my knowledge and started firing, I would hide under the desk and formulate a plan (with my coworkers if they are at the desk too) of what to do if the shooter comes behind the desk. I’d throw anything within my reach and hopefully be able to incapacitate the individual.

QUESTION: We all know how much I love a good personality assessment!
Complete the LOGB Assessment, and read a bit more about your type. According to your type, what natural strengths do you bring to The Commons? Does your “communication style” and your characteristics under “pressure or in tense situations” accurately describe how you interact with clients?

ANSWER: L- 29
O- 20
G- 29
B- 23

I found it kind of interesting that I am equal parts lion and golden retriever considering that they are the most opposing to each other. I’d say this test is pretty accurate because I definitely do like to take charge at certain times but I also do know when to swallow my words in other situations. The strengths I bring to the Commons are, if no one else is standing up to do a task, I gladly will. For example, with all the shift taking I’ve been doing recently. That would be where the lion in me takes hold. But, if someone is having troubles I’d gladly listen and try to alleviate their stress anyway I can, that being the retriever in me.
In terms of Communication style I’d say I lean more towards my retriever side because I try to open a line of two way communication using empathy and really listening to what is being said as best as I can. I do not like to talk over people or take charge of a conversation especially if someone is asking for help.
When it comes to In pressure or tense situations I’d say I lean more towards the Lion. I will take command of anything I feel I can handle and am not afraid of entire and complicated responsibilities being on my shoulders. Anything that needs to be done, will be done if it is under my command.

Question:

Focus your energy by setting a technical/professional goal for yourself this semester. This goal needs to be SMART:
S – Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Why do you want to achieve it? HOW will you achieve it? Be specific.

M – Measurable: How will you track your progress? How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What is the concrete evidence of success?

A – Attainable: Is this goal something that you can realistically achieve in the defined time frame?

R – Relevant: The goal must be important to you, right now. Decide on something that’s meaningful to you.

T – Timely: Give yourself a deadline – for you, it’s the end of the semester! Select a goal that can realistically, measurably be achieved within the next 10 weeks.

Answer:

Specific: I want to be confident helping people independantly in the DMC, whether it be with Photoshop or any other program. I want to achieve this because I want to be as helpful as possible and also so I’m not annoying Aaron ever ten seconds. I will achieve this by watching tutorials on programs we support and learning through experience and trying programs out myself. I have already started learning how to use Illustrator, when there is no one in the DMC or it is very slow, I will read basic tutorials on how the program works and how to use it effectively.

Measureable: I will be able to easily track my progress as when I am able to confidently help clients with no issues on a program that, previously, I was unfamiliar with. I’ll know I’ve learned and am improving. I will know I have achieved my goal when I am fully independant in the DMC, whether it be taking photos for clients or scanning documents, I will be proficient in most, if not all, applications. The concrete evidence of my progress is, the less I have to knock on Aaron’s door, the bigger the smile on his face!

Attainable: I think so, I remember feeling this lost and confused when starting out in the desk but now I am able to handle most matters without help and am confident that I’ve earned my place at the desk. I hope the DMC will be the same process.

Relevant: This is definitely important to me, I spend only two hours in there but it can be very painful if I have no idea what I’m doing so easing the minds of clients and myself by knowing what I’m doing is very meaningful to me.

Timely: End of the semester is definitely the goal but hopefully sooner than that if I work hard!