Journal Entry 1: Research Skills

Description

I was recently assigned a project where I had to conduct extensive research on a subject

concerning business and Artificial Intelligence. The project aimed to analyze past trends,

evaluate current challenges and formulate a solution that would help the firm acquire a

competitive advantage in an environment full of goal-oriented and globally acknowledged

businesses. I initiated the research intending to pay meticulous attention to detail, provide

informative content validated by previous literature and research, and develop exceptional

structural content. Despite extensive research and the aim to provide strong information, I could

barely pass muster for the research. It may seem like an excuse; however, the difficulty of the

topic to prove something against the nature of the concept was difficult. The research aimed to

find trends and opinions of the industry regarding lack of acceptance and adoption of Artificial

Intelligence despite the fact pointing to the contrary. I had determination, drive, and passion for

the subject; however, I lacked the conviction and time resources to complete the research as per

my expectation.

Feeling

Knowing that you can complete a task and are even recognized as proficient at the task but being

unable to perform it to the best of your ability is devastating. The same were my feelings when I

spent countless hours finding rare pieces of research to support my claim. I believe that

determination and drive can help you overcome any obstacle; however, I proved my beliefs

wrong to an extent when I expertly managed to ruin what I developed instead of what I wanted to

develop. The incapability, frustration, and time limit felt claustrophobic to me. I knew that I

could put up an exceptional piece of research if I could manage to get my hands on several
pieces of solid research backing each other; however, the rarity of the subject left me powerless

in the face of what I thought was an easy task. I firmly believe in the mantra that "what does not

kill you, makes you stronger,” however, I knew that my inability to complete this task would

stay alive in my mind for a long time. I felt terrible when the time was nearing the deadline and

my inability to research on the subject left me frantic. I felt that I could just answer the

assignment by giving it what it wanted, but I also realized that backing up this information with

invalidated research was against my principles. When I saw the subject, I felt fairly confident,

which is why I spent the first half of the time allocated to me concentrating on other tasks. I

misjudged the seriousness of the task and that cost me dearly. When initiating my research, I

analyzed the content requirements. This became a point of worry for me because I realized that I

had undertaken a task that required me to go against the norm of business literature. The task

required me to prove something only a few and daring had managed to explore. I felt certain that

I would be able to find something that would lend me a hand during the research; however, the

lack of commonality between what I wanted and what I found took me by surprise. Despite my

worries and franticness, I was rewarded to an extent given my previous meticulousness in

research skills. The assessor took pity on my plight and asked me to come in and discuss the

subject. This came as a welcome relief after a week of fretting.

Evaluation

To say that I was ashamed at the time of submission is an understatement. My ability to complete

every task with thoroughness came with the inclusion of complexity and tact. However, years of

taking this approach left me unaware that I had practically stopped enhancing my

methods[ CITATION Rod19 \l 1033 ]. It was like a routine and the folly of my method hit me

like a freight train. As mentioned before, I knew that I had managed to spoil the report; however,
I also knew that it was time to improve my methodology. I knew that this served as the strongest

lesson for me, stronger than what my teacher tries to teach me daily (intended pun). I took a day

to evaluate my actions in the past few days, the approaches I exhausted and the approaches I

could have explored further. The embarrassment of submitting a subpar report soon was

overshadowed by the determination to bring a definitive change in my methodology. The

evaluation allowed me to study my weaknesses in a new light.

Analysis

I knew I had to adopt an approach to revert my weaknesses into my strengths. The evaluation

through self-reflection played one of the strongest roles in changing my perception, providing me

clarity, and helping me move forward from this assessment. I realized that this incident occurred

due to a particular cause. The cause was so that I could recognize that I must put in more effort

to do and deliver what was expected of me. The feedback from the assessor, the willingness of

the assessor to address my issues as an equal, and the time of my assessor are three things I am

thankful for. The feedback and the willingness of the assessor to address my issues also helped

me overcome some of the key weaknesses that weakened my research.

My misconception on the subject of my research skills was a revelation to me. I was forced to re-

think my perceptions altogether. I realized that I should take a personality test to ascertain the

strengths and weaknesses of my character. I took the Big Five test to identify the areas in my

personality that required some work[ CITATION Sta18 \l 1033 ]. The results from the test have

helped me changed my view on life.

Conclusion

The process was nerve-wracking for me; however, the lesson I have learned from this experience

will stay by my side throughout the years. I realize that change is a deliberate yet hard process;
however, I also realize that it forms the most important aspect of my growth. I am proud to say

that this experience has taught me something that I was previously oblivious to. Since the

experience is fairly new, I will take some time to develop my skills further. I cannot wait to

approach each stage with determination and utilize every small tact to refine my research further.

Action Plan

When in a similar situation:

 I would like to approach the subject with a calm mindset.

 I would like to exert more effort to refine my research.

 I would like to remember this experience and use this as a lesson.

Journal 2: Independent Task Management

Description

Research swears by the advantages of working in teams, for it multiplies the ideas, fosters

teamwork, and allows the members to communicate. However, my approach to teamwork was

relatively different. I suppose it is my nature to rely on myself. I found that what I could

independently is relatively more ground-covering than what I can do in a team. My perception

was put to a test when my supervisor assigned me a task. The task was very simple. My

supervisor even advised me to compile a list of people that could help me with the task; however,

I was in my element when I was chosen for the important and prominent. Misjudging the extent

of the task, I ensured my supervisor that I would manage the task alone. Aware of my knowledge

and knack to commit, my supervisor allowed me to do the task on my own. I never realized that

something as simple as this could become a nightmare for me within the first few hours. I started

working on the project immediately; however, I realized the folly of my decision. I soon realized
that I had a daunting task at hand and that I had taken it upon myself to complete it in its entirety.

I wanted to rectify my mistake as soon as I made it, which is why I wanted to ask my supervisor

to suggest some students so that they could help me; however, the realization that I made this

mistake initially stopped me.

Feelings

I felt frustrated and frantic to complete the job but to no avail. The realization that I had taken a

demanding and time-consuming job was eating away at me. I felt stupid, for I had the perfect

opportunity to include some hands-on the deck, but I managed to miss the opportunity without

fully recognizing the situation. I was feeling worried that I would not be able to complete the

task, which was disappointing, to say the least. I realized that the mistake was my own. At first, I

could not find any effective solution to my plight since I had landed myself in this predicament. I

should have been able to use my insight; however, I did not. The inability to complete the task in

time, the daunting task ahead and the responsibility was eating away at me. I felt panicked, lack

of determination, and frantic all the while trying to get as much done as possible. At the back of

my mind, I realized that I had some action, which could help me complete this job quickly.

Despite my initial assessment, I could only think about a team of people helping me through the

job. As a means to rectify my mistake, I asked my best friend to compile some other friends and

asked them to meet at my home. I fully explained the situation to my friend and he agreed that

bringing in more hands to the deck was the only solution in this case. It might have taken some

time; however, the feelings of frustration, anger, helplessness, franticness, and worry soon turned

into appreciation and happiness when my friend brought in seven people to help. I was ecstatic

when I saw them walking in the door. I can safely say that this is where my perception of
teamwork took a turnabout. Despite initial chaos, I found that all of us soon fell into a rhythm

and that the task was being completed in a much faster fashion.

Evaluation

Looking back at the experience, I can safely say that my perception of teamwork and

collaboration was very incorrect. I may have initially believed that working in a team would

create some issues; however, my perceptions changed drastically with this experience. I realized

that working in a team might have certain drawbacks; however, they also had some advantages

that I had severely miscalculated[ CITATION Bri18 \l 1033 ]. I realized the importance of

working together, with everyone using his or her mental capabilities to ensure that the task is

done as uniquely and efficiently as possible. The experience took a total turnabout with the

inclusion of people. After the task was done, I realized the folly of my ways. Sure, some tasks

required individual efforts; however, the nature of the task made some expectations, those that

were the responsibility of the researcher to fulfill. The task completed in time and I informed the

teacher about the error of my ways, thanking my friends along the way for supporting me.

Analysis

My perceptions of teamwork communication took a total U-turn, which is why I was forced to

re-think my perceptions altogether. I realized that I should take a personality test to ascertain the

strengths and weaknesses of my character. I took a Myers-Briggs test to identify the areas in my

personality that required some work[ CITATION Emr18 \l 1033 ]. I am currently working on

expanding my horizons and I feel as if I can observe the world from a new lens. No longer do I

hesitate from accepting and acquiring help; however, I also maintain individuality in my tasks.

The experience has helped me substantially[ CITATION Don18 \l 1033 ].

Conclusion

The experience has had a deep impact on my mind. I am immensely pleased to say that I have

learned my lesson and will not make the same mistake again. I realize I am going to make some

other mistake in the future; however, I fully intend to work on the problem from the start, accept

suggestions, and keep a broad view of things.

Action Plan

If encountered with the same situation:

 I would like to keep a broad view

 I would like to accept suggestions and incorporate my views on the task

 I would like to implement a solution from the get-go of the problem.

References

Britton, E., Simper, N., Leger, A., & Stephenson, J. (2018). Assessing teamwork in

undergraduate education: a measurement tool to evaluate individual teamwork skills.

Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 42(3), 378-397.

Donia, M. B., O'Neill, T. A., & Brutus, S. (2018). The longitudinal effects of peer feedback in

the development and transfer of student teamwork skills. Learning and Individual

Differences, 61, 87-98.

Emre, M. (2018). The personality brokers: The strange history of Myers-Briggs and the birth of

personality testing. Random House Canada.

Rodríguez, G., Pérez, N., Núñez, G., Baños, J. E., & Carrió, M. (2019). Developing creative and

research skills through an open and interprofessional inquiry-based learning course. BMC

medical education, 19(1), 134.

Stajkovic, A. D., Bandura, A., Locke, E. A., Lee, D., & Sergent, K. (2018). Test of three

conceptual models of the influence of the big five personality traits and self-efficacy on

academic performance: A meta-analytic path analysis. Personality and individual

differences, 120, 238-245.