I’ll be joining you, not only because there are currently no other qualified and interested candidates, but because I’m passionate about this whole experience. I know what you may be thinking: “Is this supposed to motivate me to read further?” Not at all. I’m simply presenting you a challenge. I don’t challenge you to continue reading to fill up those spare moments you may have during the day. I challenge you to motivate yourself to enjoy this and every other article I write this summer and more importantly, to relate them to your life. You’ll be traveling First Class if you can connect aspects of your past and present to the information that I share with you.
Again, I know what you may be thinking! Stop. Disregard the structure that you’re used to, forget the constraints that you’ve been taught to respect, and please, don’t even consider what others will think! This is your time and only your time. Let me rephrase. It’s our time and since we’ll be working together, let me finally introduce myself.
I’m from outside of New York City in New Jersey. I’ll be returning to campus this Fall to conclude my undergraduate business degree as a senior. Until then, I’ll be working on a summer project as an intern at Citicorp on Wall Street. Otherwise, I’m dating a woman three years older than myself and seeing Broadway shows on a weekly basis. Good for me.
Let me tell you why I’m writing before you move on. The human condition fascinates me. During the last few years, I’ve developed an interest in stress, self-esteem, and happiness. This interest has snowballed into a passion, let alone a hobby, and it continues to expand. Each day I become more confident that some time after graduation, I will write books and lecture on these topics. Yes, motivational speaking!
I think I know why so many people are skeptical about professionals who have careers in the field of self-development. It takes time, patience, and commitment to experience it. Every single person has at least one thing they would like modified or improved in their life. Notice that I didn’t include the words “like to” in that sentence. If people would like to modify or improve their lives, they certainly could, so why don’t they? Because it’s so difficult!
I’ll gladly admit that I have a passion for self-development. Ever since I read two of Dale Carnegie’s self-help books back in 1996, I’ve been on a personal quest to constantly improve myself and my life. As much as I’ve been focused on discovering healthy ways of living, I’ve not been totally successful in actually changing my behaviors. It’s not easy. I’ve compiled several pages of notes and yet, I have not made an effort to spend time on finally applying everything that I’ve learned. This process is the most difficult challenge I’ve ever faced.
I don’t go a day without thinking about human behavior. People amaze me with their thoughts, feelings and actions. I naturally tend to analyze why people do and say certain things, why they tend to be unhappy about so much, and why they allow negativity run their lives. I think a person’s life stems from their self-concept and so, an individual’s self-esteem, confidence, and perception are extremely important to me.
Additionally, I have been keeping a personal journal since January 1, 1993 and have documented some pretty extensive experiences. I doubt that I would remember the fine details of these life events had I not simply written them down, and I’m talking about things that happened just last month. By reading my entries, I learn or relearn significant “Life Lessons” that, possibly, unbeknownst to me at the time they were written, were responsible for changing the ways I live now and hope to live in the future.
Finally, since June of 1996, I’ve recorded my dreams. I’m talking Rapid Eye Movements here, not power, fame, and wealth. I’ve logged most of my subconscious experiences on more than 300 occasions. It wasn’t until this past week, however, that I committed myself to analyzing my dreams and researching their connection to the ups and downs of my conscious life.
Why the hell am I a finance major? I’m studying business because I came to Maryland with a passion for entrepreneurship and I trust that one day my love for business will be re-ignited. As much as I’m optimistic about the future, I’m thinking that such an event will occur once I hear my name being called at graduation next May. Go figure.
All right. You’ve gotten the introduction and personal profile. Let’s get down to business. What’s in it for you? The challenge! Remember? By inviting you to accept the challenge of motivating yourself to enjoy and relate, I, too, am being challenged. I’m curious to see if I can influence you to push yourself to do two powerful things: 1) learn more about yourself and 2) determine your optimal level of happiness.
This is not your traditional article, is it? I have decided to be different by attempting to share something unique with you. Although I’ve enjoyed The Diamondback’s commentary articles these past three years, only a few made an impression on me. Not that the others were poorly written and boring, it’s just that other than reading them for fun, I didn’t personally benefit from them.
So let’s review: I write and challenge you, you read and challenge me. We both learn, enjoy the experience, and possibly end up improving at least one aspect of our lives, even if it’s only our reading skills.
Jared Meyer is a senior finance major presently spending the summer in NYC. Reach him at jmmeyer@wam.umd.edu.
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