Kayla Speciale
“The Creator asks ‘What can I do to achieve my goal?’ or ‘What can I do to make this situation better?’’ rather than seeking to lay blame for how the situation came to be.” (Mirmian) Everyone is responsible for who they choose to be. I have fallen Victim more than once, but I choose to better myself and gain a Creator mindset. People need to make the active decision to be a creator, instead of a Victim. What is a Creator verses a Victim? How have I been a victim? Who in my life is a creator?
As part of his teaching blog, Professor David Mirmians article, “Do you think like a Victim or a Creator?” (Mirmians) he writes about the importance of having a Creator mindset in everything we do. Mirmian explains how two students were unable to purchase their textbooks in time for class, because the bookstore was out of stock. Therefore, the professor gave them an extra week to obtain the required textbook. The first student was irresponsible and did not acquire the textbook by the following week. The second student, however, told the professor she could not get the book from the bookstore. She thought outside the box and called other college bookstores in the area with no success. She finally went online and purchased the text for a lower price and had it shipped to her in only two days using the difference of the prices of what the book would have been in the bookstore versus online. The first student had put the blame on the bookstore, for not having the book she needed, technically it was their fault. The second student realized there were other options. A Victim finds something else to blame besides themselves for their issues. On the other hand, a Creator like the second student realizes more can be done about the situation. A Creator mindset takes charge and obtains their goal by overcoming obstacles. Mirman says to become a creator, reach the goals you set, don't try to blame others, and take responsibility for your actions.
I’ve always had a goal set, to be able to attend collage following my graduation from high school. A bigger goal of mine was to apply to a four-year university and live on campus. I knew this was going to be difficult because I have physical turrets, which, and drained me 24/7. I never stop moving, even when I’m asleep my body keeps going, and I’m unaware of it until I wake up and feel like I had no rest. It causes me extreme difficulty to concentrate in anything I do. In high school, I took average classes, I received average grades, and I played sports all year around in order to physically exhaust myself in order to sleep at night and distract me from staying on track with my studying. Having an IEP throughout my schooling was my backbone to helping me get to where I am today. When I got stressed, I went to the learning lab located in our school that was designed for students to come when they needed extra help in any subject or needed quiet space to work. Whenever something got a tad bit difficult, I gave up and went to have someone helped me through the situation. My teachers gave me extra time on assignments, and help me through them. I never tried to figure things out on my own, I was never alone. I had opportunities to take advanced classes but I was scared to take the challenge. My turrets tend to flare up even worse due to stress, I don’t want to start something, and not be able to finish. Setting myself up for failure was not an option because I am to scared to fail on this level. I attempted to apply to a four-year university, but I was nervous to be on my own, to be in debt, and to move out all at once.
A Creator that I look up to is my older sister Nicole. Nicole hasn't always been well off, she has worked hard to gain and keep a Creator mindset. I look up to her in every way. When she found out she was expecting in 2010, she realized she would need to provide for not just one but two people. She, being a real estate agent, went and found a small house in a good neighborhood that would be a good investment for her and her family. Everyone looked down on her for making a “mistake,” saying she was too young; she had her whole life ahead of her but Nicole worked through it, and she made a living. When her baby was a few months old, she went back to school to get her associates degree. She worked full time and managed to have family time and time for her self. The housing market then went crashing; no houses were being sold and it was expensive to stay as an active agent. She took a huge step and applied for a job at the hospital. Years later, she had a greater job opportunity within a hospital. This job had many more benefits and higher pay, but would require her full attention for two years, less time with her family and came with an assortment of tests to be able to be certified. She contemplated this life change with her husband and took the risk. She is currently in this journey and has already passed a few tests with flying colors. Nicole now has a great support system behind her back and two wonderful children. She has a reason to strive for greatness everyday, to go out and get what she wants in life rather then let it pass by.
“Which mistake do you think would be better to make … to believe you are in control of your life when you really might not be [or] to believe you are not in control of your life when you really might be?”( Downing.) Becoming older, you realize the importance of having a mindset that helps to control your outcomes in life, instead of waiting for life to make you a Victim. People, who have made the decision to be Creators, are more successful in life. It has been demonstrated that being a creator is a more positive decision. I have learned what makes you a Victim, but I will use my sisters Creator example to change.
As I near the end of my first semester of college, I am seeing an improvement in my reading, writing, studying and time management skills. These skills are all important to move forward in the career field and in the education journey I’m working towards. I plan to continue to read and put time to the side each week for my course’s and not to procrastinate in the assignments I am given. Also, I will continue my tutoring sessions and set goals for myself so I can aim to do better every chance I get.
Worked Cited
Downing, Skip. “Adopting a Creator Mindset.” Chapter 2 of On Course : Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life
Mirmain, David. "Do You Think like a Victim or a Creator?" You Are The Prime Mover. 2 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <http://youaretheprimemover.com/2012/do-you-think-like-a-victim-or-a-creator