Project Analysis: The Better Me: Better World Project

 The Better Me: Better World Project aimed to foster personal and professional growth in five critical areas: physical health, intellectual development, emotional well-being, ethical alignment, and service to others. The overall purpose of the project was to achieve measurable improvements in these areas while contributing to the well-being of my community through volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem mentor. This analysis will evaluate my progress in each of these areas, reflect on the tools used for self-assessment, and offer insights into the impact this project has had on my personal and professional development.

Physical Health

One of the core components of my project was the improvement of my physical health. I began by establishing a consistent fitness routine that involved regular workouts, including strength training, yoga, and aerobic exercise. I also incorporated daily walks and mindfulness practices such as meditation and journaling to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. The importance of maintaining physical health is widely supported by research, which suggests that regular exercise can improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and enhance emotional stability (Ratey, 2008). Throughout the project, I felt more energized, focused, and better able to handle the challenges that came my way. By the end of the project, I had become much more disciplined in my fitness routine, and my physical strength, endurance, and overall health had noticeably improved.

I also learned the importance of balance. While focusing on fitness and physical health is critical, I discovered that pushing myself too hard in one area sometimes led to neglecting other aspects of my well-being. This realization prompted me to develop a more sustainable routine, balancing exercise with adequate rest and mindfulness to prevent burnout.

Intellectual Development

Academic achievement was one of the primary goals of the project, as I aimed to maintain a 4.0 GPA and earn a spot on the President’s List. To achieve this, I maintained consistency in my studies, kept up with assignments, and stayed disciplined in my academic routines. Research indicates that academic discipline is strongly correlated with long-term career success and personal satisfaction (Chamorro-Premuzic & Frankiewicz, 2015). Through focused effort and time management, I was able to maintain my high academic performance.

In addition to my formal studies, I focused on intellectual enrichment by reading leadership-oriented books, such as Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. These books provided valuable insights into leadership, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. I found that these readings not only helped me develop a deeper understanding of leadership but also enhanced my ability to lead with empathy and vulnerability. Reading these books has had a long-term impact on my intellectual growth, and the lessons learned will continue to shape my leadership style moving forward.

Emotional Well-Being

Emotional well-being is a crucial aspect of personal growth and was an area I placed significant emphasis on throughout the project. I established a mindfulness practice, which included daily meditation and journaling, to help manage stress and maintain emotional balance. Research suggests that mindfulness can improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and increase overall life satisfaction (Goyal et al., 2014). Over time, I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to stay calm under pressure, manage challenging emotions, and practice gratitude. I became more attuned to my emotional state, which allowed me to make more thoughtful decisions and respond with greater empathy.

The experience of volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem also contributed to my emotional development. Working closely with vulnerable children opened my eyes to the profound emotional challenges many people face. It deepened my understanding of compassion and emotional resilience. Helping children navigate complex, traumatic situations not only required me to demonstrate emotional strength but also helped me recognize my own capacity for empathy and emotional care. Reflecting on this experience helped me to cultivate greater emotional balance, which is essential for both personal growth and leadership.

Ethical Alignment

Ethical alignment is at the heart of both personal and professional leadership. As part of my project, I sought to deepen my ethical grounding by engaging in service to others and advocating for vulnerable children as a Guardian ad Litem mentor. Through the GAL program, I had the opportunity to make ethical decisions on behalf of children who had been affected by trauma and neglect. This role required me to act with integrity, advocacy, and a deep sense of responsibility. It was often emotionally challenging, but the experience taught me the importance of ethical decision-making and the need to align actions with values.

The ethical principles that guided my mentoring work also influenced my leadership style. As a result of the project, I now prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability in both my personal and professional life. I also learned that being ethically grounded involves vulnerability and a willingness to acknowledge when one does not have all the answers or when mistakes are made. This humility is essential for ethical leadership, as it fosters trust and respect.

Service to Others

Service to others was a core component of my project, and volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem mentor allowed me to contribute to my community in a meaningful way. The experience was transformative, as it provided me with the opportunity to advocate for children in the foster care system. This work not only contributed to the well-being of individual children but also had a ripple effect on the broader community. By standing up for the rights of vulnerable children, I was able to create a positive impact and encourage others to think about ways in which they can serve those in need.

The volunteer work also helped me grow as a leader, as it allowed me to apply the principles of empathy, responsibility, and ethical decision-making in real-world situations. It deepened my understanding of the importance of community service, particularly in advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for emotional resilience in leadership, as the work was often emotionally taxing but deeply fulfilling.

Self-Reflection Tools: SWOT, Johari Window, and Kolb Model

Throughout the project, I utilized several reflection tools, including the SWOT Analysis, the Johari Window, and the Kolb Model. The SWOT Analysis was useful for identifying my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they related to the project. It provided clarity on areas where I excelled (such as academic discipline and service to others) and highlighted areas that needed improvement (such as emotional resilience during challenging mentorship cases).

The Johari Window was particularly helpful in revealing aspects of myself that I was unaware of or unwilling to acknowledge. By soliciting feedback from others, I became more aware of my blind spots and how I was perceived by those around me. This helped me adjust my behavior and approach to leadership, allowing me to lead with greater self-awareness and authenticity.

The Kolb Model of experiential learning was also instrumental in reflecting on my hands-on experiences with the GAL program. This model emphasizes the importance of active reflection on experiences, which allowed me to assess my actions and adapt accordingly. By engaging in concrete experiences, reflecting on those experiences, conceptualizing lessons learned, and experimenting with new approaches, I was able to grow as both a leader and an advocate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Better Me: Better World Project has been a transformative experience that has positively impacted my physical health, intellectual development, emotional well-being, ethical alignment, and service to others. The use of self-reflection tools such as the SWOT Analysis, Johari Window, and Kolb Model helped deepen my understanding of myself and the changes I needed to make to become a more effective leader and community advocate. This project has provided me with valuable skills and insights that will continue to shape my personal and professional growth for years to come. It has reinforced the importance of continuous self-improvement and the power of service to others in creating positive change.

References:

• Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.

• Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & Frankiewicz, B. (2015). Does Higher Education Still Prepare People for Jobs? Harvard Business Review.

• Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M. S., et al. (2014). Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368.

• Ratey, J. J. (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Little, Brown.