Building a Better 2008

Ioana Patringenaru | January 14, 2008

Think about the five people you admire most. Then think about their strengths and attributes. Write them down. Now go down that list of qualities — and be sure to say “I am” first, before you read every single word.

Rod Kempton spoke during a Learn-at-Lunch session.

Dozens of UCSD employees went through this exercise Tuesday during a Learn-at-Lunch workshop titled “2008: A New Jigsaw Puzzle.” Under the guidance of Rod Kempton, a coach and success strategist, they worked to identify and define their personal values and their strengths. Then they learned how to apply these attributes to make better decisions and reach their goals for the new year.

“I promise you, this is the foundation of your personal power,” Kempton said.

The list of people employees admired most was designed to help uncover inner strengths. “Many times, we admire in other people what we do possess ourselves,” Kempton explained.

Before founding his own firm, Kempton had served as the manager of employee development and training programs at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of California, Irvine. He was invited to speak Tuesday by the UCSD Staff and Faculty Assistance Program. The program’s director, Equilla Luke, encouraged staff members to use the tools Kempton provided. The UCSD Staff Association co-sponsored the 90-minute workshop.

For starters, Kempton asked everyone in the Davis/Riverside room at the Price Center to rank 50 personal values, such as fairness, adventure, personal growth and spirituality from 1, very important, to 5, definitely not important. Then he asked participants to pick their five top values. His list includes integrity, wisdom, friendship, spirituality and adventure, he said. Kempton also had participants define values, pointing out that these might take on different meanings for different people.

He encouraged employees to consider their most important values before making important decisions. “Take a vote,” he said. If the decision is consistent with four or five values, it’s a go, he went on. “If it’s three or less, you will experience challenge,” he added. “You will experience turmoil inside.” At that point, it might be better to just say no, Kempton explained.

Dozens of staff members turned out.

The coach also sought to provide his audience with tools to reach their goals. That’s when the list of people participants admired most came into play. Kempton noted the list could include fictitious characters too. “Harry Potter is on my list,” he said, adding he admires the young wizard’s courage and willingness to take action when facing the unknown.

Once participants drafted their list and listed the characters’ traits, Kempton invited them to claim these strengths and implement them. He also urged his audience to enjoy themselves while they’re trying to reach their goals. “Which sounds more difficult: losing 20 pounds or making good nutritional choices and good fitness choices?” he asked.

He added he recently joined a gym again. He doesn’t plan to lose a set amount of weight. Instead, he asked a trainer to show him how to use the equipment correctly and focused on feeling better about himself. “I’m already seeing results,” he said.

Finally, Kempton asked his audience to list five goals for 2008, couching them in positive terms. He then had participants share their goals. A woman said her family is paying off debt and saving for retirement and her daughter’s future. “How do I incorporate feeling good about this?” she then asked.

Several audience members chimed in. Think about how good it will feel to be debt-free and be able to pay for your daughter’s college education, someone said. You need an immediate reward, Kempton countered. Treat yourself to dinner once a week to celebrate your savings, but pay cash and don’t go to a fancy restaurant, someone else suggested. Recognize every week and every month how much you saved, Kempton advised.

After the workshop, Dawn Reser, a staff member in academic personnel services, said Kempton provided great advice and tools. “This is a more powerful way to accomplish things in my personal and professional life,” she said.