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Week 5 Prompt: “Hurling and Community Service” and how you set goals.

Week 5 is here! Our lessons this week focused on mission statements, measurements and impact. There were a number of readings and a couple of videos, but the one that I found most interesting was the Standfords Social Innovation Reviews article titled Getting Results: Outputs, Outcomes, and Impact. I feel this article explained well the ideas we were focusing on this week including how outputs and outcomes are very different and only a small part of the impact you are seeking to create. We were also asked to watch a video of Kevin Starr titled Lasting Impact where he delved into the topic of impact and why seeking that above all else is the most important. I particularly appreciated his four questions we should ask ourselves about our products: "Is it needed? Does it work? Will it get to those who need it? Will they use it correctly when they get it?" The last two questions really stood out to me because they address the meat of why a product would fail. Of course, many products are 'needed' and most 'work', otherwise, they wouldn't make it on the shelves. However, to address whether those who needed it will get it or use it correctly is another matter entirely.
Moving on, our prompt this week is to reflect on another writing and the message it offers.
Week 5 Prompt: "Hurling and Community Service" and how you set goals.
I both liked and disliked the message in Hurling and Community Service. I do realize that Keith Morton is entirely entitled to his opinion however, I didn't enjoy the tearing apart of a poem that inspires others to at least get out there and do something. It is very symbolic of 'take some action, don't just sit there'. I also have to say that I do understand the message that we should be more methodical with our efforts not just whimsically throwing starfish. There should be a purpose to our efforts, a goal something that we would be able to say I saw this need and this is how I effectively addressed it. However, when we are faced with a problem we don't know how to address, some action is better than no action, in my opinion. Why can't you throw some starfish while making phone calls for help?
The other part of this prompt was to look at how we set goals. For me setting goals comes in many forms, hourly, daily, weekly, even yearly and some not having anything directly relating to time. Yet, while thinking about this I do see that there is a method to my madness. For the most part, I will assess what needs to be done, how I can best achieve it, is there prep that needs to be done first, etc, then create a plan and check back in to see how I am doing frequently to make sure it stays in the forefront of my mind and I am making progress. This is the general method. I don't usually just start throwing starfish, however, I do try to get to it quickly so that I can start having an immediate effect on the problem, and maybe save a few before it's too late.

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