The Final Call

Exercise #2:
Over the course of the semester, I have learned how far a simple hello proceeded by an inquiry, can go.


After reading my blog, I have mixed emotions. I am amazed at many of the things I did and the timely fashion in which I completed most of them. I did a lot in just a few weeks. I am a tad disappointed because I feel as though I got lazy around Christmas break and could have pushed myself a little more.

Exercise #3

This semester, I have really pushed myself to do my very best. I have managed my time much better than I have in past years and also grown as a student. Leadership for Change has open my eyes to a myriad of possibilities and opportunities that are right before us if we just take the time to seek. Over the duration of the course, I both heard and witnessed people's dreams and aspirations unfolding. It didn't take much for this to happen yet, change didn't come on its own. We had to be active learners, workers, etc.

For the first time, I have been asked, "What is your dream? Touchstone? Target?"...instead of the usual, "What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you want to work?" I am a firm believer that the way we both say and phrase things, has a major affect on the way we choose to interpret things. Too often, we are driven by economics and social status rather than how we feel in the depths of our heart and soul.

The three things I liked best about Leadership for Change were the blogs and being able to see my growth and steps toward my goal, the movies (all of them were AWESOME and very INSPIRATIONAL), and how engaging Dr. Rock is when it comes to her students. I also enjoyed the personal interactions with classmates and hearing and understanding their dreams as well as my own.

Aside from the Kill Your TV portion of the course, I cannot think of anything I disliked.

All in all, I think the course was amazing! If I could change one thing, it would probably be to monitor progress a little more in regards to the weekly duty report; possibly showing some proof of accomplishing the task. In closing, I just want to say good luck and blessings to all of my classmates and their future endeavors and thank you Dr. Rock for being such a positive influence in my life.

First Step:

My first step this week is to sell more tickets to my tournament on the 24th of May. Also, I want to spend at least 20 minutes each day to practice. I also want to be 5-7 lbs lighter by the time of my competition. I want to decrease my BMI and increase muscle.

Sunday Meeting:

During my Sunday Meeting, I tried to get things a little more in order for myself to assist with organization and time management. I started by cleaning out my folders and cleaning my room. When things around me are cluttered, my life is cluttered. I made a list of how I could go about making things less hectic for myself:

1. what do I want to do for this week?
2. did I complete what I wanted to get done last week? If so, why or why not?
3. make sure I go about getting things done in a logical and strategic manner. Don't just say I will do something to get credit for getting my assignment done. Try to gear it toward my goal.


Business Meeting:

I actually wasn't able to hold my business meeting this week because my buddy stood me up. I didn't want to choose someone else, because I am a private person (believe it or not) and it was hard enough for me to open up and share things with this person.

"HIIIIII YAAAAHHHH!!!"

   Last week, I took a step toward my goal.  I was approached by a sorority on campus (of which a lot of my friends are members) to lead a self-defense seminar for young women.  It was a major success.  My mother and brother (also martial artists) supported me to the fullest and gave 100% effort while assisting me with the class.  My weekly goal was to enlighten at least one individual about the martial arts and make them a tad more comfortable while walking the streets in today's society.  By the simple fact that I received raved reviews and a number of women who were interested in furthering their martial arts training, I would venture to say that I accomplished the task at hand.  I received countless number of text messages after the event, telling me how great I had done.  People seemed to really enjoy the experience and were very receptive to trying new things.  In fact, even I didn't go to sleep until 3 that morning because I was on  natural "high" from how awesome it was.

   But, it wasn't like this in the beginning.  Surprisingly, I was shaking in my boots with stage fright.  I teach all the time, but this time was different.  For the first time in a long time, I was nervous about teaching.  I feared that the women would not like nor appreciate what was being given.  I feared they would laugh when they saw things foreign to them.  I really wanted to impress these women, and I began to panic.  I started sweating and my voice started to shake when I spoke.  My mind was scrambling and I was out of sorts.  Although I teach young children and some adults three times a week during the school year and everyday over the summer, there are personal reasons as to why this occasion in particular was so different.  

   However, I was eventually able to overcome this fear.  I began to suppress all of the negative things I was thinking about and replaced them with the positive thoughts of endless possibilities and opportunities that could come from the experience.  I said to myself that if I just grabbed the attention of one person, my job was done.  All in all, the event was not perfect, but no one else could have done a better job if I am allowed to toot my own horn (TOOT!!! TOOT!!!)

IT WAS AMAZING!!!

The Read

   Unless it is an entertainment magazine, I rarely pick up a book and just read for leisure.  I find reading to be very boring.  However, I know that it will help me tremendously in he long run.  

   One of my weekly tasks was to read a book over Spring Break.  My end goal is to one day, own a karate school, assisting urban youth with understanding themselves, the quality and value of their lives, character and discipline.  Over these past few weeks, I have found myself stuck, trying to figure out what to do next.  So, I read a book about entrepreneurship; "The Art of the Start."

   One of the most interesting things to me was that each chapter began with "GIST" ("great ideas for starting things"), covering a variety of facets to consider, from identifying your customer base and writing a business plan to establishing partnerships and building brand identity.  From beginning to end each chapter builds on the previous one and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. It's easy to read and understand.  It breaks down things you would need to know from a legal aspect, accounting, public relations, advertising and headhunting alike.  Similar to this class, the author encourages you to have a step by step process and weave a MAT (Milestones, Assumptions and Tasks).  In this, you will find ways to prove your concept, raise capital, and make it appeal to your geared audience.  

   All in all, "The Art of the Start" was a great beginning to the things I hope to accomplish in the near future.

Glenn Keeney
President of the Professional Karate Commission

Master Keeney started studying karate in high school in 1957. "I used to hitchhike from Indiana to Cincinnati every weekend.

The dojo which was opened by Mr. Pickel (Keeney's instructor at the time) in 1966, was purchased by his 3 top students, Jerry Brown, Larry Davenport and Mr. Keeney. By 1969, Mr. Keeney had bought out his partners, and although they helped keep the doors open for many years, Komakai Academy was now his soul responsibility. In 1972 & 1973, Mr. Keeney was rated #1 fighter in the USKA, 1972 & 1973 top ten fighter by Official Karate magazine, 1973 top ten fighter by Professional Karate magazine, 1974 #4 fighter in the U.S. by Black Belt magazine and inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1977. As an administrator, Mr. Keeney helped write the rule book for tournaments in the US Karate Association and was the Rules Chairman for 10 years. He was also a Trias International award holder. As a member of the USKA World Champion Team in 1971 and 1972, he traveled extensively in the US and abroad. The team went undefeated for both Good Will Tours.In the PKA, he served as a judge in the 1974 1st World Championships in Los Angeles, and was the head of their ratings committee for several years.


"I love karate and money, so that was my motivation to stay in business and do the things I needed to do. Maintaining the business wasn't really hard for me. But, there were always people that I felt didn't want to see me succeed. But then I realized, there always will be those types of people around no matter what you do."

Master Keeney is the head of the organization that my karate school is a part of. I wish to one day have my own dojo and also, lead the Professional Karate Commission also.

Lawrence Blakley-Vice President of External Affairs for De La Salle Institute

After speaking to Mr. Blakley, I understood that his initial outlook on life was not one of pleasantry, high hopes, motivation, etc. He was an average, sometimes below average student and more often than not, hated school. His basketball scholarship assisted in the furthering of his education. "I definitely wouldn't have been at Loyola had it not been for my scholarship. In fact, even with my scholarship, I don't really know how I got into any college. To be honest with you, my grades were sub-par for most of my educational career."

Though he did not enjoy school in and of itself, one thing he did enjoy was learning new things and helping other individuals. "I have always receive some sort of self-gratification when I extend myself at the sake of others in need." This must be the reason that his career path has lead him in the direction of External Affairs at De La Salle Institute, consisting of service in the community at the Tolton Center and fundraising and sponsoring different events for different grammar schools around Chicago and its metropolitan area.


Grandmaster John R. Venson-Chief Instructor at Just For Kicks Martial Arts

For this man, the life he leads now has been one he has lead for many years. He is the current CEO and chief instructor of Just For Kicks karate school. He has been a student all his, studying under his father, founder of the karate school. "The decision was pretty much made for me. When my father was no longer able, I was going to take over the family business, no matter what I wanted." To somewhat secure his future, Mr. Venson attended Roosevelt University, majoring in Business Management, after his honarable discharge from the United States Marine Corp. He later began working for the Secret Service and his now a sheriff for the state of Illinois.

Mr. Venson is also one who loves helping others. But his reason is a little more personal. "I went into the service when I was 16 years-old. When most of my friends were going on prom and graduating from high school, I was in Vietnam, fighting for my life. I was very close to death twice, and my knowledge of effective hand to hand combat, was what saved my life. I often told God while I was in War, if he let me live and see my loved ones and American soil again, I promised to guide his children in the right direction. So, I figured I would do it the best way I knew how; through the disciplinary, character and life lessons I learned through karate."

My Contacts

Educator and Community Service Leader:
1. Lawrence Blakley, Vice President of External Affairs at De La Salle Institute and
Number: 312-842-7355

2. Rochelle Harris, Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Director of Campus Auxiliary Services at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Entrepreneur (karate school)
1. John R. Venson, Chief Instructor of Just For Kicks Karate School
www.justforkicks-karate.com
P.S.....check me out in some of the photos on the website and also check out my Instructors profile (I'm on my way to one of my dreams!!!)
P.S.S...check me out at my next karate tournament, this Sunday, March 1st, at Giorgio's Banquet Hall and Comfort Inn Suites in Orland Park.

Young Actress (Positive-Image for young girls)
1. Casie Walls, actress and student
773-808-8216

Music Producer
1. Frank Miller, student and aspiring music producer
217-390-8766