Goal Setting: From "43 Things" to Four

Dear Sacred Friend,

Time to put the plan in motion! While perusing the internet for top goal setting apps, I came across a free one called "43 Things." On the homepage, you are compelled to list at least three goals before even signing up! Then they generate and display the number of people who share the same goal as you on their site.  This way you are encouraged to socialize and learn from one another. For example, you have the ability to "cheer" people on and read about how they are/have already achieved their goal; that is if they chose to "add an entry." 

Well, I signed up, but I realized I much rather document my goals and steps on Blogger. I feel this is a better way for me to share my path with others who might be interested...maybe...? Wish someone would have outlined it all pretty for me. Just sayin'! 

My Steps to Attaining a Masters

1. Relocate
2. Establish Residency 
3. Take the GRE
4. Submit Application

1. Relocate

Time allotted: planning-2 months; moving- up to 3 days

Deadline: Sept. 21, 2013

1. Budget for moving expenses (gas, food, hotel if driving cross country)
2. Pinpoint moving date and notify current job (July 2013)
3. Book One-way flight (if necessary) (August 2013)
4. Notify service/account of move (DMV, auto insurance) (August 2013)
5. Collect & gather important documents (August 2013)
1. birth certificate
2. social security card
3. passport
4. print new insurance policy
6. Bag and throw away/donate unwanted clothes and papers (Sept. 2013)
7. Notify friends and family of move (Sept. 2013)
8. Make driving CD’s (Sept. 2013)
9. Pack (Sept. 2013)

2. Establish Residency

Time allotted: 14 months

Deadline: December 1, 2014 

1.  Look up state residency requirements and follow requirements carefully (July 2013)
2.  Ex: SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS (TX)
   • Complete Core Residency Questions
   • Provide any/all of the following supportive documents:
   • Employer’s statement of dates of employment in Texas
   • Texas driver’s license or ID card (reflects an origination date, shows an origination date at least 12 months prior to the census date)
   • Texas voter registration card issued 12 months prior
   • Pay stubs for 12 consecutive months (significant gainful employment in TX)
   • Rental of residential real property in my name
   • “Employment conditioned on student status, such as work study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships, or research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment.”
3. Apply to at least 3-5 jobs daily (July-November 2013)
1. Reach out to networks 
2. Continue to make connections
3. Update resumes,create different versions, have them reviewed
4. Update Linkedin profile
5. Draft cover letters 
4. Draw up a lease/ rental agreement (October 2013)
5. Open up a bank account in state (October 2013)
6. Obtain driver's license (October 2013)
7. Become a registered voter (October 2013)

3. Take the GRE

Time allotted: 10 months

Deadline: August 2014

1. Study for GRE
1. Download GRE prep apps to phone and/or computer to make studying a part of every day life (October 2013)
2. Purchase 2014 GRE prep book (November 2013) 
3. Sign up for free classes via Princeton Review (when available)
2. Take a practice GRE Tests (Throughout but surely in May 2014)
3. Register for the GRE (June 2014)
4. Take GRE (August 2014)

4. Submit Application

Time allotted: 3 months

Deadline: December 1, 2014

1. Ask for recommendations (July 2014)
2. Begin writing the statement of purpose (August 2014)
3. Request official transcripts (October 2014)
4. Send recommenders supplemental materials (i.e resume, personal statement) (Oct. '14)
5. Contact students and professors at prospective school  (Oct. '14)
6. Arrange a campus visit  (Oct. '14)
7. Have your statement of purpose reviewed (Nov. '14)
8. Complete and submit application and keep two copies of every section for your records. (Nov. '14)
9. Verify that your recommendations have been sent
10. Fill out FAFSA and look into grants and scholarships (January '14)
11. Celebrate acceptance (April '14)
12. Appeal financial aid package or apply for alternative loans (April '14)

 "“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ― Audre Lorde (1934-1992)

Kiara R. Jones, MPH: Most of the Motivating Factors

5 MPH 

It was a happy feeling- helping Daddy out in the garden. Pulling, planting greens and picking peaches and not-yet-ripe plums from our backyard trees. Daddy was feeding us and neighbors on his hands and knees.

I didn't realize how important it was to be able to help feed your family and others off the land at the age, in that barren neighborhood, with that income.

30 MPH

Our neighborhood didn't provide us with much of your basic needs: food & clothes (We had to travel at least 15 minutes by car out of town to the nearest grocery and clothing store.), k-8 education (If you're talking quality, we had to travel to the wealthier white neighborhoods for that.), safety (It used to be the murder capital of the US in the early 90's and a toxic chemical plant ROMIC leaked its chemicals into the soil and its explosion, on my b-day in 2006, released its toxins into our air. Many residents had a peculiar cough after that and asthma rates...well, you already know.) and jobs (But who has the luxury of a short commute any more? Sign of the times I guess). No invitation to a pity party here, just stating general facts you can Google.

50 MPH

Where do you go/what do you do if the place you call HOME or the land/neighborhood on/in which you live doesn't provide you with the basic necessities that lead decent quality of life? And I'm not just talking survival here. I began to feel a burning sensation in the depths of my stomach--I was anxious. I was ready to move with great speed because believed I could help in some way.

65 MPH

I wanted to runaway to attain knowledge that I could use in order to come back and affect change in my community around food justice issues faced by African-Americans mainly in low-income neighborhoods.

80 MPH

College exposed me to the Environmental Justice (EJ) Movement, Environmental Racism, redlining, the political ideologies behind all these disparities we face, etc. I heard the "Godfather of the EJ Movement" Robert Bullard speak of the many incidents of our government dumping trash in predominately black neighborhoods only. I heard Majora Carter, "renowned urban revitalization strategy consultant", stand up to profess, "You don't have to leave your neighborhood to live in a better one." I continued to work in my community over the summer around food justice issues. I read and applied the teachings in books like, "The Hood Health Handbook" volumes I and II and Tracye McQuirter's "By Any Greens Necessary" and more. At 80 MPH, I was just gearing up for what I wish to achieve now.

I choose to replace that number with my name and do the work put on my heart to do. I want it to read:

Kiara R. Jones, MPH.

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." Nelson Mandela

Letter 2: Meet me.

Dear Sacred Friend,

Thank you for meeting me in this uncomfortable space- at such a vague vantage point in my life. I asked you to meet me here because it is in these moments that I can reflect on my life, feel alive and strategize in order to work towards a positive change in myself and community. I bare no shame when walking you through the heavy parts of my life in these moments.

Let's focus on our breath and be for a moment in time as I move my ego behind. 

Currently I'm living in the "space between"- as it is known. Post grad life led me here. Although I am working to re-channel my anxiety, brought on by 4 years of disconnect from the familiar, its untamed presence can make existing in this temporary space unbearable.

Anxiety fogs my focus, clouds the clarity I seek, and brings about a boat load of self-doubt. Beyond my personal feelings, I wonder how I fit in the larger picture so in the following post I'll grapple with the prevalence of anxiety within the black community.  Furthermore, I'm interested at looking at mental health issues as public health issues from three different stand points:

1. As an epidemiologist I would ask: how do anxiety disorders affect the black population?  Anxiety in black people is poorly diagnosis in the Western world. In fact, we are under-diagnosed for anxiety or panic disorders, but are over-diagnosed for Schizophrenia, for example.  How does such a false and harsh diagnostic affect black patients? How does this further tarnish our relationship with mental health professionals? Where do we seek help and treatment instead? How/where else is the disorder showing up?
2. As a behavior scientist would ask: What programs can I design to lessen the symptoms of anxiety in the black population?  I've researched the role of ethnic identity on the symptoms of anxiety in black people and found that having a strong and positive ethnic identity may "serve a protective role among African Americans by moderating the relationship between discriminatory experiences and psychological well- being. An Afrocentric perspective may also contribute to reduced anxiety due to a greater emphasis on a present versus future-oriented worldview." (Chapman et.al 2012). What programs already exist and what are their clinical implications?
3. As a health communication specialist I would ask: How can I effectively and creatively change the negative behavior associated with anxiety. What information is important to disseminate about anxiety in the black community?

In the following posts I wish to take a mental and public health stance on anxiety in the black community in hopes that highlighting our struggle will spark dialogue, help me to affirm my passion for public health, and aid me on my journey to total wellness.

wondering thoughts

by Dymond Phillips

http://blackartinamerica.com/

In addition to actively writing, reading, and surrounding myself with a positive like-minded crowd, actively seeking work like "Wondering Thoughts" by Dymond Phillips has helped me to be more appreciative of the moments we have in the "space between." What wonders surround us. What power we have to tap into. Come with me. I am comin'. Remember to write back. -kj

Letter 1: Welcome me back.

Dear Sacred Friend:

It's been far too long. How I miss our honest conversations in the dim lit room before dinner. Me emptying out my observations, feelings, and secrets of my imagination before being re-energized and filled by Granny's feel good meals. Realizing just how much time has grown between us, is unsettling. You were my Peace. 

When that heavy feeling in my chest went to knockin', I knew the correct response. I was no deer in headlights as the signal to write was clear. T'was an urge so compelling it would make the average person squirm in discomfort. This knockin' would send calm eyes bouncing from one corner of self doubt to the next. When you don't know what your heart is telling you, confusion, fear, and even anxiety may ensue.   

 Exposing my truth without hesitation in a space that shielded me from all the worldly judgement and pressures freed me so. What Peace you afforded me in good measure. Allow me to use this blog to catch you up. Know that I am comin', just be sure to write back.

(This blog is a creative way for me to re-engage with the act of truth telling or honest writing, which will be personified here as "Sacred Friend" in each blog post. Hope you find what you're looking for. Peace. kj

)