Intellectual History

(a) My most influential teachers I have ever had in Church, school, the workplace, etc., have been the ones who have led me by example. Now I do not mean to disregard the importance of the 'practical' lessons that I was taught in those environments, but considering those lessons that led me to transform or mature in a way so that I could live a life in greater accordance with true and correct principles, have mostly occurred through the form of that individual's example. It seems to me, that the most influence a person can possibly have, stems directly from the strength, integrity, and true nature/character of that person. If a person's character is weak or flawed in some aspect of what they are trying to reflect or teach to their students, then the lesson itself loses some of that influence, that profoundness. I think that is why Christ was such an influential teacher because everything He taught stemmed from a perfect character. There was nothing that Christ taught that He did not do himself. The same goes for those individuals who have influenced me the most. My father taught me the value of self discipline and hard work and exemplified that by working three jobs when he was furloughed through American Airlines. My mother taught me to be compassionate and to see others for who they really are and exemplified that through volunteering for years at homeless shelters and other charitable organizations. The list goes on... Socrates said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." It is my personal experience that has led me to realize that the most influence we can have on others must first stem from a strong, balanced individual practicing those very principles taught to others.
(b) Something I am trying to become better at, is managing my time more efficiently. I once read in Covey's, 7 Habits For Highly Effective People, that 'if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.' I have noticed that if I take just a small amount of time out of each day to reassess what I am doing for that day and how it is contributing to my goals, I have more effective and productive days. The hard part is just staying consistent every day.