This week has taught me that sometimes our first instinct or first attempts are wrong. Whether it's a paper topic or a road block in life sometimes it's okay to let go and start fresh.

I know that my initial thoughts or ideas are not always the best possible plan. As much as I like to work and develop my plans, sometimes it would be better to scrap the idea and start with a new perspective.

I know that I have touched on this briefly in a couple of my previous posts, however it was recently brought to my attention and I believe it deserves elaboration.

While watching a favorite childhood television show, Boy Meets World, one of the characters gave a speech at graduation. This speech revolved aroung the idea that he could have done better. While reflecting on his time spent at high school he looked back and saw room for improvement in his behavior, grades, and friendships.

I see two important lessons to be learned from this.

One: I think that it is really important to be able to look back on an expirience and have the ability to critique yourself. Too many people are stuck on their idea of what is right that they don't take the time to reflect on themselves or the decisions they have made. I strongly believe that everyone has room for improvement whether you are just graduating high school or own a company. Through self reflection we can only grow.

Two: why wait until after the fact to critically think and examine the choices you are making? If we evaluated our decisions at the time we make them, there would be a smaller margin of error possible. We don't have to wait until we have already messed up to see that something needs to change. By taking initiative and evaluating ourselves regularly we won't have to look back as often and see that we could have done better.

"Blogs without art are lame."

This was the closing statement in the most recent chapter I read out of my media writing textbook, Journalism Next. I feel obligated to start this blog with an apology, but also with a slight disclaimer. I am sorry for being lame; however, I would like to say that I am always learning.

I have to admit I was slightly offended/ embarrassed by reading this. I don't like doing anything halfway in life. I guess I can contribute that attribute to how my parents raised me. Even with the simplest tasks we always had to "take it to the hoop." For example, after eating we always had to deal with our dishes by rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher. (I'm still confused about why these were the words chosen to drive this work ethic home seeing as no one in our family plays basketball, but I have to admit it was a good lesson.) Being called lame and stumbling upon the realization that I'm not being a good blogger was a sad truth for me to accept.

After I moved on from the initial insult I discovered that everyone is always learning. We are always evolving, and that is what keeps us at our best. If everyone was stagnant in their work there would be no improvement and frankly days would become monotonous and boring.

I feel that as a student I have miles to go and much to keep learning, even if it sometimes knocks me down. I also think that even the top CEO's and professionals can evolve and observe to continue bettering themselves. There's always more to learn, right?

I would like to close by pledging to make a serious effort not to be lame any longer.

Today in my sports marketing class we discussed the always controversial topic of if college level athletes should be paid. Don't worry; I'm not going to bore you with the details of that never ending debate. However, my teacher did bring up a case where an athlete was "busted" at a department store where he was receiving extremely discounted shoes. Turns out a reporter was in line behind him and exposed the athlete.

This was brought up with a lot of annoyance. How dare the reporter expose this athlete violating the rules of the league/college he decided to play for.

This is just ridiculous, why does the media and reporters receive such backlash from people for giving them the information they deserve?

After studying communication I have a real problem with people always blaming the media. Maybe if this athlete was not violating the regulations than this whole situation would have never happened. Hard concept, huh?

Why do reporters take the consequences for people's mistakes? They are simply exposing things to the public. The fact that people mess up should be blamed on no one other than the perpetrator. We should thank reporters for uncovering both the wrongdoings and exposing praises of people.